Some people have lifelong dreams of owning a business or developing a new product, while others find themselves on an entrepreneurial journey they never expected. Ideas can come from the most surprising places. That’s exactly what happened to Brian Marvin, leading to the development of a bow release that operates differently than those previously on the market.
Brian grew up in Wisconsin and spent plenty of time outdoors before heading to UW-Stevens Point for college. There, he earned a degree that led him to work as a fisheries biologist. He later obtained his teaching credentials and went on to spend almost 30 years teaching in Alaska. In 2013, he was recognized as Alaska Hunter Education Instructor of the Year, through it all archery remained a passion. After relocating to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, that lifelong interest began to evolve, eventually leading Brian to take the next step and start developing his own archery product.
Road To Entrepreneurship
One day while at church, Brian had an idea for a new kind of bow release, one that relies on the relaxing of muscles rather then the traditional tensing. After developing the initial prototype, he connected with Innovate Marquette to take his idea further. With access to IMQT’s resources, Brian received support with branding and website development, while also working with the design team to refine the product itself. Through the Protolab, he was able to create 3D-printed versions of the release, allowing him to test and continue improving his design.
By early spring of 2026, Brian had made enough progress to apply for the Outdoor Innovation Pitch Competition, sponsored by the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund, Centrepolis Accelerator, and Innovate Marquette. Out of 24 applications, Brian was chosen by a panel of judges as one of six finalists to pitch HSI Relax Release in-person during the Peak26 conference.
Pitch Competition Experiences
Pitching his business in person was new territory for Brian, and not something he had experienced before. “I had not been that nervous in a long time,” he joked. After much preparation and practice, he delivered a strong pitch. At the end of the competition, Brian was awarded the Make It In Michigan Award, earning up to $5,000 in product development services through Centrepolis Accelerator and Innovate Marquette.
Just a few weeks after his first pitch competition, Brian traveled back to Alaska to compete in the finals of the Arctic Innovation Competition at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. There, he pitched alongside three other companies for a chance to win up to $15,000. In the end, he placed fourth and took home an additional $2,500. Reflecting on the experience, Brian shared, “Presenting at the Outdoor Innovation Pitch Competition was very helpful with presenting at the Arctic Innovation Competition. I felt more comfortable and knew what to expect with judging criteria and judges’ questions.”
Moving Forward
Looking ahead, Brian aims to continue improving the product design and is currently working to make the release as comfortable as possible. He plans to attend more outdoor shows and archery competitions where he can showcase the product, while continuing the patent process.