GROW UTAH ANNOUNCES 2016 OUTDOOR CONCEPT TO COMPANY INNOVATION CONTEST

In Partnership with Vista Outdoor, $40K Will Be Awarded to Best Utah Outdoor Innovators

KAYSVILLE, Utah May 5, 2016 – Grow Utah, a non-profit committed to fostering Utah entrepreneurship, has kicked off its annual outdoor products Concept to Company innovation contest for 2016. The contest will award top Utah outdoor product/service innovators with $40k cash and services to help launch their businesses.

Now in its 8th year, the contest is open to all Utah residents with a product or service innovation in the outdoor activities of hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, biking, shooting sports, golf, watersports, snowsports and more.   Applications will be accepted through June 5, 2016 with the final judging and awards ceremony being held on June 22.

New to the contest this year is a partnership with Vista Outdoor, a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer of consumer products in the growing outdoor sports and recreation markets. Based in Utah, Vista Outdoor will be the host sponsor of the 2016 contest.  The contest name will reflect this, being officially titled the Vista Outdoor Concept to Company Contest.

“Utah is an incredible place to start a business, especially in the outdoor industry,” said T. Craig Bott, president and CEO of Grow Utah. “We are thrilled to have such a strong outdoor industry leader as Vista Outdoor within our state.  We are especially pleased to have them support and be part of the contest. Vista Outdoor supports innovation and getting new products in front of their experts is a rare and exciting opportunity for the contestants.”

As the host sponsors, Vista Outdoor will participate in the judging process, provide financial support for the event and provide in-kind consultation services for the winners.  Along with other sponsors, the Vista Outdoor team will elevate the contest to best-in-class and provide Utah’s outdoor innovators a unique opportunity to learn from industry leaders as they compete in the contest.

“Utah is known for its spectacular outdoor recreation and its entrepreneurial spirit,” said Brett Merrell, Senior Vice President, Marketing for Vista Outdoor. “Our partnership with Grow Utah helps to foster new ideas and provides a proven process for startups in the outdoor sports and recreation industry. Hosting this contest and building on the great legacy established by Grow Utah and the other partners provides opportunities for the best startups and new innovators to overcome challenges, seek investment, build strong business strategies and become successful.”

Additional sponsors and supporters of the contest include community and industry partners such as: Zions Bank, USTAR, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the Northfront Entrepreneur Alliance, Durham Jones and Pinegar and Mountain West Small Business Finance and several Utah outdoor products businesses.

For more contest details, and to apply, visit www.ConceptToCompany.org/outdoor16.

About Grow Utah

Grow Utah, is a privately funded non-profit organization dedicated to accelerate the creation of innovative, entrepreneur-led, high-growth businesses that will strengthen and expand the future growth of Utah’s economy.

The vision of Grow Utah is to create a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in Utah that fosters entrepreneurial talent, drives innovation to solve market needs, aligns community resources and support, and ensures funding for products, entrepreneurs and businesses of promise. Learn more at www.GrowUtah.com.

About Vista Outdoor Inc.

Vista Outdoor is a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer of consumer products in the growing outdoor sports and recreation markets. The company operates in two segments, Shooting Sports and Outdoor Products, and has a portfolio of well-recognized brands that provides consumers with a wide range of performance-driven, high-quality and innovative products for individual outdoor recreational pursuits. Vista Outdoor products are sold at leading retailers and distributors across North America and worldwide. Vista Outdoor is headquartered in Utah and has manufacturing operations and facilities in 13 U.S. States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico along with international customer service, sales and sourcing operations in Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe and New Zealand. For news and information, visit www.vistaoutdoor.com or follow us on Twitter @VistaOutdoorInc and Facebook at www.facebook.com/vistaoutdoor.

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PR Contacts:

Justin Bott

Grow Utah

(801) 593-2269

info@growutah.com