Enhancing Outdoor Recreation: Startups Innovate in Golf, Hunting, and More

The pandemic ignited a surge in outdoor sports and recreation, driving a significant increase in activities such as golf, fishing, and pickleball.

This heightened interest has persisted, with outdoor participation reaching a record 175.8 million people, or 57% of all Americans aged six and older, by the end of 2023, according to the Outdoor Industry Association.

Opportunity for Innovation

This boom has exposed a lack of innovation within the industry, presenting a fertile ground for entrepreneurs. Traditional methods like over-the-phone bookings and cash payments have given way to new solutions.

Entrepreneurs have seized this opportunity, developing software for hunting and fishing guides, AI-powered platforms for booking golf tee times, and apps to locate pickleball courts.

Investment and Growth

Venture capital interest has followed suit. In 2019, VCs invested $48.6 million in 25 sports tech companies. By 2021, this figure had soared to $949.3 million across 53 companies. Although investment dropped during the VC winter of 2023, the $189.7 million funneled into 43 companies still represented a 290% increase over pre-pandemic levels.

Online Acceleration

The pandemic accelerated the adoption of technology across various sectors, including outdoor recreation. Benjamin Lazarov, co-founder and CEO of AnyCreek, a startup providing booking and business software for fishing and hunting guides, highlighted this shift.

Lazarov’s frustration with the outdated process of booking a hunting guide in Vermont led him to leave his role at Compass and launch AnyCreek.

Lazarov observed that many guides, especially newer ones, are now tech-savvy and prefer to operate online. This trend is mirrored by Mallard Bay, a startup that brings hunting and fishing guides online.

Founded in 2019, the Houston-based company saw significant growth post-lockdown, expanding from 19 guides to over 100.

Responding to Demand

Loop Golf, a startup automating the process of finding and booking tee times at public golf courses, emerged in response to the surge in new golfers. Matthew Holden, co-founder and CEO, noted the difficulty in securing tee times due to increased demand, prompting the creation of Loop Golf to streamline the process.

Behavioral Shifts

The shift to online interactions has created new expectations among consumers. They now prefer the convenience and efficiency that technology provides in booking and managing their recreational activities.

This trend is similar to the shift seen in the restaurant industry, where the adoption of cashless transaction systems has become the norm.

Scott Holloway, managing partner at Starting Line and an investor in AnyCreek, pointed out that younger generations are increasingly spending money on experiences rather than physical goods.

Companies that facilitate these experience-based transactions through innovative technology are well-positioned for success.

Expanding Gear and Equipment Market

The surge in outdoor activities has also boosted the market for gear and equipment. Startups like Eastside Golf and Malbon Golf cater to new golf enthusiasts with stylish apparel, while Nettie and Recess design modern pickleball paddles.

Early entrants like Hipcamp and AutoCamp have demonstrated a strong consumer appetite for innovation in outdoor recreation.

Despite these advancements, many sectors within outdoor recreation still require technological upgrades. Rental services for canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards, as well as providers of archery and zipline experiences, often operate with outdated systems, representing a significant opportunity for further innovation.

A Massive Market Opportunity

The outdoor recreation market is vast and largely untapped by modern technology. As Marc Andreessen famously said, “software is eating the world,” and this sector is one of the last consumer spend areas yet to be fully transformed by software.

Consumers are demanding it, presenting a massive market opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors to capitalize on this wave of innovation.