20 May 2024

Wanaka entrepreneur takes on competitive global outdoor

From Nine To Noon, 9:35 am on 20 May 2024
Matt Butler, founder of KEA Outdoors.

Matt Butler, founder of KEA Outdoors. Photo: Supplied/Matt Butler

KEA Outdoors was founded by Matt Butler, after his previous work a tour guide was wiped out virtually overnight when the borders closed during the Covid pandemic.

The entrepreneur sells his outdoor survival kits around the world and says the pandemic proved the catalyst for him to turn his idea into reality.

The company has been fully funded through product-focused crowdfunding campaigns and now has warehouses in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and China, shipping product to more than 50 countries. 

Matt Butler now has his sights on major expansion through a crowdfunding equity campaign.