Wild Rye Launches Wefunder Community Round to Scale Women-Led Outdoor Apparel

June 10, 2025

Certified B Corp invites customers, industry colleagues and friends to own a stake as it expands technical apparel for women and counters rising tariffs

KETCHUM, Idaho — June 10, 2025 /SPORTSWIRE WOMEN/ – Wild Rye, a premium women-led brand known for its beautifully designed technical apparel that empowers women in the outdoors and beyond, today announced the launch of a $1 million equity crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder. The raise will help Wild Rye mitigate the impact of recent tariffs and adjust its supply chain to maintain its growth trajectory.

While Wild Rye has experienced some success with traditional fundraising, broader industry data highlights the challenge women-led companies face—receiving just 2% of venture capital dollars. With rising tariffs threatening small outdoor brands, Wild Rye is turning to its community for growth capital.

“I’ve explored traditional fundraising, but I keep coming back to the belief that there’s real value in our community becoming owners and sharing in our future success,” said Cassie Abel, founder and CEO of Wild Rye. “Our brand exists because of our community, so it only feels right to give them the opportunity to benefit from Wild Rye’s growth. We’re a values-driven brand, and being community-owned just makes sense.”

Wild Rye has shown strong year-over-year growth despite market challenges, earning respect from outdoor women and the broader outdoor industry. With placement in over 300 retail locations, including REI, evo, and Title Nine, alongside a growing direct-to-consumer business, the brand’s KPIs indicate a loyal and engaged customer base. Plans for product-line expansions into outerwear and active lifestyle pieces reflect strong demand for high-performance apparel designed by and for women.

The Wefunder campaign is now live at wefunder.com/wild.rye. Early supporters can invest with as little as $100 and receive tiered perks based on their investment levels.