“When women lead, we all win.”
Missy Park, founder and CEO, turned the industry on its head: she showed up “women-owned head to toe,” demanding gear that actually works for women. (Because yes — that had to be said.) “Happy are those who dream dreams, and are willing to pay the price to make them come true.” From Missy, that’s not just a quote, that’s a dare.
Since launching Pitchfest in 2018, Title Nine has turned up the volume on women entrepreneurs. They’ve done more than host a competition – they’ve built a chorus.
At Pitchfest, the rule is simple: 7 minutes to pitch, 7 minutes of questions. It’s fast. It’s bold. It’s go time.
11 powerhouse women from 9 brands poured their hearts into every moment. We felt so proud and grateful to be part of the journey as mentors, and to witness firsthand the creativity, courage, and resilience behind their brands.
These women didn’t just pitch gear — they pitched fight, purpose, grit, and identity.
Anna Myers, Dirty Birdy @heydirtybirdy
Born from frustration — tired of choosing between comfort or durability — Dirty Birdy makes pants that don’t force compromise. “You’ve got this” isn’t a slogan; it’s a promise. With rugged style that rivals Carhartt and a fit made for women who build, these pieces move from house projects to hangouts without missing a beat.
Abby Averett & Samantha Jex, Saturday Strides @saturdaystrides
Some partnerships start on a handshake — theirs started on a double date. The founders hit it off instantly, and soon their runner brains were sprinting ahead, dreaming of socks as fun, functional, and fierce as the rest of their gear. These two young go-getters turned miles into momentum, building an ambassador program 500 strong. Saturday Strides is all about community — proving that when your socks show up with color, joy, and grit, so will you.
Emily Li, Peach Surf Co. @peachsurfco
She couldn’t find a surf-worthy hat that didn’t look like it belonged on a shelf. So she walked away from tech to make it herself. “Peach” — her childhood nickname — became the brand, with prototypes tucked between rice and crackers in her kitchen pantry. Rejection after rejection taught her the truth: no one is qualified when they start. Today, her hats blend color, joy, and resilience — a testament to courage, self-belief, and chasing waves (and dreams) anyway.
Charlene Assam, Luxxefit @luxxefit.co
For women with larger chests, finding a supportive, wire-free athletic bra may feel impossible. This necessity is exactly what drove Founder Charlene Assam to create Luxxefit. Her solution isn’t guesswork: she spent months collecting feedback from 400 women before launching her design. The result is a game-changing, wire-free bra featuring a triple-hook innovation that provides genuine support and comfort.
Kate Harvey, Birdie Blue @shopbirdieblue
Radical kindness, stitched into every piece. Birdie Blue transforms scraps from your old snow gear into one-of-one designs — a labor of love that’s as nimble as it is sustainable. Their mantra? Help us make money off your garbage. They breathe new life into old gear, proving small and scrappy can still soar..
Arwen Turner & Kara Hardman, Thicket @thicketadventure
Rooted in community, grown from necessity — Thicket exists to make the outdoors more accessible to plus-size adventurers. In an industry that has long overlooked 80% of the population, they’re reclaiming trust and trail space with gear built from feedback, love, and a whole lot of heart.
Emily LaPlume, Saturday Swimwear @saturdayswimwear
For women who move — pro athletes, moms, teens, and everyone in between. Made in the U.S. from ethical materials, each suit began as a handmade hustle, traded for accommodations and sewn with purpose. “Scrappy and slow, yet deeply intentional,” the brand has grown with heart, grit, and a ripple effect that reaches beyond the water.
Mel Frandsen, Tobiq @tobiqtravel
The idea hit mid-camp chaos when a pacifier disappeared in the dark — and Tobiq’s founder Mel realized there had to be a better way. Enter the dresser on the go: modular, convertible bags built from recycled fabrics. Mel didn’t just double down on utility—she packed in a little gratitude, too. Each Tobiq bag carries a reminder: “every day’s a gift, pack it like it matters.”
Emma Rosse, Allover @allover.apparel
When Emma showed up for a raft trip and realized every woman was rocking overalls — but she realized they weren’t built for them. They were too stiff, too baggy, or too restrictive for real outdoor movement.. So she quit her job and filled the gap: cute, rugged overalls made to fit real women’s bodies. Allover’s goal? To help women feel so confident in how they look that they’ll stroll straight from the trailhead to the taphouse, garden to the coffee shop, river walk to girl talk — no outfit change needed.
This year’s winners were: Tobiq, Saturday Swimwear, Luxxefit, & Saturday Strides.
Only take home the official title of “winner”, but no one walks away empty handed. Because Pitchfest isn’t a one-and-done, it’s a lifelong network of women supporting women. The event opens doors to partnership, mentorship, and support from Title Nine and beyond.
So whether it’s Missy’s “women-owned head to toe”, Peach’s pantry prototypes, or Allover’s trail-to-taphouse swagger, these women are rewriting the outdoor industry’s narrative — one stitch, seam, and story at a time.
Here’s to new friends, favorite familiar faces from past Pitchfests, future opportunities, and the kind of community that lifts women-led brands every step of the way.
A huge thanks to
Alix Klein and Jen Loufborrow for sharing about this year’s Pitchfest through their eyes.
To all the risk-taking women who showed up for the event (and who show up every damn day!) to make a difference in getting women outdoors. Here’s to everyone who made the 2025 T9 Pitchfest Outdoor a success:
Workshop Leaders:
- Becky Worley
- Mark Francis
- Maddy Cutler
- Leslie Street
- Steph Wood
- Dory Barnard
- Lily Scrip
- Noelle Sadler
Mentors:
- Jen Loofbourrow, Alpine Fit
- Erika Togashi, SEPTEMBER
- Alix Klein, ABD Culture
- Jennifer Ferguson, Handful
Judges:
- Renee Thomas Jacobs, CEO, Tek Brands
- Margaux Elliott, Founder, Lume Six
- Molly Hanks, Merchandising Manager, Title Nine
- Noelle Sadler, VP Global Marketing, Pacsun
And we couldn’t host this fabulous day without the generous support of our women-led vendors. Special thanks to:
- Nana Joes Granola
- Polaris Cafe
- Mountain Bound Coffee Co
- Two Local Girls
- Lasst Minute Sweetss
- Artisan Kitchen
- Wild Wonder
- BRAMS Beer
- Maker Wine
- 8th & Ivy
Check back for the winning gear on our site and see all our current T9 Movers and Makers to get your hands on some great women-owned gear. Get caught up on past Pitchfests here.