Nau

Nau was an outdoor clothing company founded in 2007 by Eric Reynolds, who had previously founded Marmot. The brand was based in Portland, Oregon, and positioned itself at the intersection of technical outdoor performance, contemporary design, and environmental responsibility. Rather than presenting sustainability as a separate capsule or marketing theme, Nau incorporated material sourcing, employee benefits, logistics, and charitable giving into its operating model. Its product approach used performance-oriented textiles and insulation alongside materials selected for lower environmental or social impact. Reported examples included fabrics and fibers aligned with the Global Organic Textile Standard, recycled polyester, Tencel, Cocona-based synthetic insulation, ethically sourced goose down, and ethically managed Merino and other wool. The resulting assortment was oriented toward outdoor and travel clothing, but the brand also emphasized urban wearability and design-conscious styling. Nau developed a direct retail presence in the United States, opening stores in Portland, San Francisco, Chicago, and other locations, while also selling through online and wholesale channels. In May 2008, the company announced that it would cease operations, citing difficulty raising additional capital. The brand was subsequently acquired by Horny Toad, Inc., which reopened Nau for business in October 2008. This ownership transition allowed the label to continue operating after its initial shutdown. A central feature of Nau's business model was its Partners for Change program. Under the program, 2% of each sale was allocated to selected community organizations, and customers could choose the recipient after completing a purchase. The company stated that the full amount collected was passed on to the selected organizations. Organizations identified in connection with the program included PeopleForBikes, Ashoka, Breakthrough Institute, Mercy Corps, and Ecotrust. Nau also linked sustainability to internal practices. Reported measures included free public transportation for employees and the purchase of carbon-offset tokens for corporate travel and deliveries from the company to customers. Outside magazine recognized Nau among its Best Companies to Work For in 2010, reflecting attention to workplace culture as part of the brand's broader social positioning. In October 2013, Horny Toad sold the Nau brand to Black Yak, a Korea-based outdoor company, for an undisclosed amount. The stated development plan focused on expanding Nau through online and wholesale distribution, with the possibility of rebuilding a company-operated retail presence over time. Publicly available reference material does not establish the brand's current operating status, headquarters after the transaction, or the extent of its subsequent commercial activity.

Nau was established in 2007 in Portland, Oregon, by Eric Reynolds, the founder of Marmot. From the beginning, the company sought to create outdoor apparel that combined advanced performance with a more deliberate approach to design, sourcing, and corporate responsibility. Its proposition differed from a conventional outdoor label by treating social and environmental commitments as part of the business model rather than as a peripheral communications program. The company developed garments using a range of technical and sustainability-oriented inputs. These included textiles associated with the Global Organic Textile Standard, recycled polyester, Tencel, Cocona synthetic insulation, ethically sourced goose down, and ethically sourced Merino and other wool. Nau's apparel was intended for outdoor use but was also designed to function in urban and travel settings. The brand therefore occupied a space between technical outdoor clothing and premium contemporary apparel. Nau supported its environmental positioning with internal policies and operational practices. Employees were provided free public transportation, and the company purchased carbon-offset tokens for corporate travel and deliveries to customers. The brand also received recognition from Outside magazine in 2010, when it was named among the publication's Best Companies to Work For. Nau's retail expansion was initially concentrated in the United States. It opened stores in Portland, San Francisco, Chicago, and other locations, while also developing online and wholesale distribution. The expansion was interrupted in May 2008, when Nau announced that it would cease operations. The principal reason given was an inability to raise further capital, demonstrating the financial difficulty of scaling a specialized, values-driven apparel company during its early development. The brand did not disappear permanently. Horny Toad, Inc. acquired Nau in 2008 and reopened it for trade in October of that year. Under the new ownership, Nau continued to promote technical clothing and responsible materials. Its social-impact model included the Partners for Change program, through which 2% of every sale was assigned to selected community partners. Customers could choose the organization receiving the contribution after purchase, and Nau stated that all collected funds were donated. Organizations associated with the program included PeopleForBikes, Ashoka, Breakthrough Institute, Mercy Corps, and Ecotrust. In October 2013, Horny Toad sold the Nau brand to Black Yak, a Korea-based outdoor company. The transaction amount was not publicly specified in the available reference material. The announced growth strategy prioritized online and wholesale channels, with the possibility of establishing Nau's own retail channels at a later stage. Available sources do not provide enough information to determine the brand's subsequent product activity, management, financial performance, or present-day operating status with confidence.

1. 2013Black Yak acquires Nau

   Black Yak purchases the Nau brand from Horny Toad and outlines plans centered on online and wholesale growth.

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2. 2010Outside magazine workplace recognition

   Outside magazine names Nau among its Best Companies to Work For.

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3. 2008Operations are suspended

   Nau announces that it will cease operations after being unable to raise further capital.

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4. 2008Horny Toad acquires and reopens the brand

   Horny Toad, Inc. purchases Nau and returns it to the market in October.

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5. 2007Nau is founded in Portland

   Eric Reynolds, founder of Marmot, establishes Nau as an outdoor clothing company focused on technical design and sustainability-oriented business practices.

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Design-led outdoor apparel combining technical performance, urban versatility, sustainability-oriented materials, and a built-in charitable giving model.

• Technical outerwearOutdoor apparel2007

  Nau's core assortment included technical outerwear intended to provide weather protection and performance for outdoor use while retaining a streamlined appearance suitable for urban wear. The brand's design language connected functional construction with premium, understated styling rather than emphasizing expedition-specific equipment.

• Insulated apparelOutdoor apparel2007

  The brand used both natural and synthetic insulation approaches, including ethically sourced goose down and Cocona-based synthetic insulation. These products reflected Nau's effort to combine thermal performance with more carefully selected raw materials and alternatives to conventional textile inputs.

• Wool and sustainable-fiber clothingApparel2007

  Nau offered garments made with ethically sourced Merino and other wool, as well as recycled polyester and Tencel. Some textiles were described as being developed in line with Global Organic Textile Standard requirements. The materials program was central to the brand's identity and supported its positioning as a sustainability-led technical apparel company.

• 2007Partners for Change

  United States

  Nau's Partners for Change program directed 2% of each sale to selected community organizations. Customers could choose the recipient after purchase, and Nau stated that the entire amount collected was passed to the selected organizations.

  Outcome. The program became a defining part of Nau's social-impact positioning. Organizations associated with the program included PeopleForBikes, Ashoka, Breakthrough Institute, Mercy Corps, and Ecotrust.

  Source

• 2013Sale to Black YakM&A

  Horny Toad decided to sell the Nau brand to Black Yak, a Korea-based outdoor company.

  What changed. Black Yak acquired Nau for an undisclosed amount.

  Aftermath. The announced plan was to develop the business through online and wholesale channels, with possible future company-operated retail channels.

  Acquisition price. Undisclosed (2013)

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• 2008Suspend operations because of capital constraintsOther

  Nau faced difficulty raising additional capital during its early expansion and announced that it would stop operations.

  What changed. The company announced a cessation of operations in May 2008.

  Aftermath. Horny Toad acquired the brand later in 2008 and reopened it for trade in October.

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• 2008Horny Toad acquisition and relaunchM&A

  The acquisition followed Nau's announced shutdown and provided a new ownership structure for continuing the brand.

  What changed. Horny Toad, Inc. purchased Nau and reopened it in October 2008.

  Aftermath. Nau resumed trading and continued its technical and sustainability-focused apparel proposition.

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• 2013Black Yak acquires the Nau brand from Horny Toad

  Horny Toad sold Nau to Korea-based outdoor company Black Yak. The announced plan emphasized online and wholesale growth, with possible future retail development.

  M&A
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• 2010Nau recognized by Outside magazine as a Best Company to Work For

  Outside magazine included Nau among its Best Companies to Work For, highlighting the company's workplace and sustainability-oriented practices.

  Other
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• 2008Nau announces cessation of operations after failing to raise additional capital

  Nau announced that it was stopping operations, primarily because it could not secure sufficient additional capital.

  Bankruptcy
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• 2008Horny Toad acquires and reopens Nau

  Horny Toad, Inc. purchased Nau after the shutdown and reopened the brand for trade in October.

  M&A
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1. Nau (clothing retailer)