New Mexico outdoor businesses to compete for $15,000 in prizes

Watch companies battle it out at the Adventure Pitch Fest

October 23, 2025, Albuquerque, NM — Eight New Mexico outdoor businesses have been selected to battle for $15,000 in cash prizes at Adventure Pitch Fest’s live pitch battle competition in Albuquerque. 

The New Mexico Economic Development Department’s (EDD) Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD) will host its annual outdoor business pitch competition and showcase event, featuring dozens of outdoor businesses and organizations from across the state, at the historic Albuquerque Rail Yards on Thursday, November 6, from 3–7 p.m. 

“The battle is on!” announced EDD Cabinet Secretary Rob Black. “The pitch fest will highlight some of our most innovative outdoor recreation businesses. We can’t wait to see which projects can best demonstrate New Mexico’s leadership in the outdoor recreation industry.” 

Adventure Pitch Fest is free and open to the public. Outdoor enthusiasts can peruse innovative gear and services, connect with local business owners, enjoy food trucks and family-friendly activities, and even meet a burro or llama. 

Attendees can also look forward to cheering on the pitch battle finalists as they go head-to-head delivering one-minute pitches before a panel of judges. Winners will advance through each round until first, second and third-place winners are announced, taking home $10,000, $3,000 and $2,000, respectively. 

“This year’s Adventure Pitch Fest was designed to support New Mexico’s outdoor entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey,” explained ORD Director Karina Armijo. “By offering a space for businesses of all sizes to gain exposure, connect, and grow, we’re helping to cultivate a thriving outdoor recreation ecosystem statewide.” 

“As a small but growing New Mexico-based business, it’s great to see the State of New Mexico shining a light on next-generation businesses like ours, looking to make our mark in the outdoor space,” said San Juan Rodworks Founder Gary Davis. 

“We’re building burro-based adventures that fuel rural economies,” stated NM Pack Burro Founder Shane Weigand. “With this support from the state, we can make each race a destination experience that revitalizes New Mexico’s historic main streets.”  

Adventure Pitch Fest Pitch battle finalists: 

• Enchanted Equine Adventures LLC, Albuquerque, offers therapeutic riding and horsemanship lessons with rescue horses. 

• FishSki Provisions, Valdez, manufactures dry-good backpacking meals, featuring whole-food ingredients, southwest recipes, co-packing and private label packing. 

• Mesilla Valley Wine & Brew Tours, Las Cruces, offers winery and brewery tours that promote agritourism in Southern NM and provides custom itineraries and safe transportation. 

• New Mexico Pack Burros, Edgewood, specializes in burro-centric races and events that uplift rural New Mexico communities. 

• Preservation Dogs, Santa Fe, makes trekking pole tips in the shape of animal paw prints made from recycled tires to minimize damage to the landscape. 

• San Juan Rodworks, Rio Rancho, offers cost-effective, high-quality flyfishing rods with a 30-day risk-free trial. 

• Taos Raft and Kayak Rentals, El Prado, has a no-hassle gear rental and delivery service for single and multi-day river adventures. 

• Wild Earth Llama Adventures, Questa, is a commercial wilderness guide service featuring backcountry llama trekking. 

Tickets for the Adventure Pitch Fest are free and can be reserved in advance at bit.ly/adventurepitchfest. 

NM Pack Burro events are gaining popularity and growing tourism in rural New Mexico towns.