Based in Detroit, Michigan, and founded in 2023, clean tech startup Electric Outdoors is on a path to transform off-grid camping and sustainability in the outdoors. Its mission is driven by what the company has identified as a huge gap in the current outdoor recreation market: Connected glamping in remote areas often requires expensive infrastructure development and time-consuming permitting processes. Electric Outdoors’ flagship product, the EOCanopy, is positioned to solve this problem.
Working with a purpose-driven team of tech and outdoor enthusiasts, Electric Outdoors is tapping into two rapidly growing segments—outdoor recreation and e-mobility—in order to connect people with sustainable experiences in nature. “We are fortunate to work on a noble mission, and it’s something we all love and want to experience ourselves,” said Josef Hjelmaker, founder and CEO of Electric Outdoors. “We have an amazing team that combines the best of many worlds, and is passionate about creating opportunities to enjoy the outdoors sustainably. We are proud to pave the way for the next generation in this high-growth segment.”
A Connected Experience for Disconnecting
The EO Canopy is a first-of-its-kind destination camping platform poweredentirely by sustainable energy sources, unlocking new destinationswithout the need for infrastructure development or permits. The fullyself-sustained system features off-grid energy and freshwater generation,satellite internet, a comfortable indoor-outdoor living space, and EVcharging capabilities.
In the current infrastructure landscape, less than 20 percent of EV chargersare located in remote areas. And with the exponential growth of outdoorrecreation in the last few years, the lack of charging options is impactingcamping accessibility. Electric Outdoors is providing a solution for thisexpensive infrastructure problem, making it possible for EV owners to campoff-the-grid and return home with a full charge.
The EO Canopy is not only suitable for EV drivers, but for anyone looking to stay connected while enjoying the great outdoors—from RVers and overlanders to vanlifers and family campers. Using the proprietary EO app and the Canopy’s built-in connectivity, guests are able to manage their stay and control the unit straight from their phones.
To facilitate demand and account for scalability, Electric Outdoors is building an extensive network of partners, including campgrounds, private landowners, and public lands, who are looking to tap into an eco-conscious, future-oriented customer base and meet sustainability goals.
Democratizing the Outdoors
With its rich manufacturing history and easy access to some of the best outdoor experiences in the Midwest, Detroit is the perfect home-base for this innovative company. “Electric Outdoors is taking a unique approach to combining connected experiences and renewable technologies in an innovative mobility product,” says Hjelmaker. “With our local talent and history of building things and getting it done, Detroit is the perfect place for EO to operate.”
In addition to its Midwestern beginnings, Electric Outdoors also boasts strong Scandinavian ties. The Swedish concept of “Allemansrätten,” or the right of public access, heavily influences the vision of the company. In Sweden, residents and visitors all have the right to roam freely in nature. This includes hiking and recreating as well as camping overnight on land that isn’t privately owned.
The concept of free and unrestricted access to nature is closely aligned with Electric Outdoors’ mission to make camping and the outdoors more accessible to everyone. It also influences the company’s goals of reducing the carbon footprint of camping, caring for the environment, and unleashing new land to explore. Electric Outdoors is committed to a sustainable future of outdoor recreation and building communities along the way.
Photography by Aaron Peterson
