2003
Aug
Eric Reynolds (co-founder of Marmot - 1974) conceives new corporately responsible business model
gives it working moniker of "Unfuck The World”, a phrase from Michael Franti of cause-oriented band Spearhead
2004
Jun
Eric Reynolds approaches Mark Galbraith of Patagonia to join 'UTW'
Sep
Chris Van Dyke meets with Eric Reynolds
Dec
Chris Van Dyke signs on to 'UTW'
raise $2 million from angel investors (Stephen Gomez, ex Nike executive, and Peter Metcalf, CEO of Black Diamond)
2005
Feb
Reynolds trademarked the name ‘Webfront’ for the Nau retail store format
Mar
UTW Inc. was registered to Chris Van Dyke, who was then listed as company president.
May
Chris Van Dyke and Ian Yolles negotiate $5 million USD from a a billion-dollar hedge fund
2006
Jan
Founder Eric Reynolds steps down as Chairman of Nau
May
Nau has raised $14 million USD, but still needs another $17 million
Jul
Establish a teaser website saying that Nau has three guiding principles: Performance, Beauty and Sustainability
Oct
Mark Galbraith previews Nau's launch collection to the likes of Esquire and Men's Vogue
Nov
complete a two part. in-depth interview with www.treehugger.com
launch a blog (The Thought Kitchen), and a collection of stories about athletes, artists and activists (The Collective)
Dec
send aspiring customers their first electronic newsletter - Off The Grid
2007
Jan
post teaser images the upcoming debut clothing collection with online photo album, Flickr
Spring
CEO, Chris Van Dyke, secures $10 million in funding from Tudor Investment Corporation
Feb
begin selling clothes from their 120-piece spring line, via the Nau online store
27 of the company's 30 fabrics in the line were developed exclusively for Nau, including corn-based PLA (Ingeo)
in-depth article of company's growing pains published in Outside magazine
Mar
open Webfront Store in Boulder (customers receive 10% discount if product is home delivered)
Apr
open Webfront Store in Portland and Chicago
May
Cleanline Jacket (100% recycled polyester) wins Outside magazine's "Green Gear of the Year" award
Quintessenshell jacket scores Outside magazine's Killer Value nomination in 2007 Buyers Guide for Jackets
Aug
Time Magazine lists Nau among 25 Style & Design Visionaries, alongside likes of Norman Foster and Philippe Starck
2008
Feb
announce distribution of $161,000 USD in customer directed corporate donations to Partners for Change NGOs
announce plans for 10 more webfront retail locations during 2008
Apr
Preview Party announced for 5 May to showcase the Fall 2008 line
Nau Board decides to suspend operations on 24 April, as external funding dries up
30 April 2008 - official store opening party for Nau webfront in Los Angeles
May
2 May 2008 - Announcement made to 95 members of staff that Nau is closing
hold online sale with all goods at 50% off. More than double previous best sales day, as collectors items are snapped up
Jun
small team of now ex-Nau staff work through various rescue options to revive the brand
Gordon Seabury, CEO of outdoor lifestyle clothing company, Horny Toad, is approached, amongst many others
Horny Toad’s offer outbids buyout offers by Chris Van Dyke and others
co-founder Chris Van Dyke bows out of the revival process
Nau's assets are acquired by Horny Toad, who retain 10 or so of the original Nau staff of 60
Jolie Giese starts at new General Manager
Aug
Nau 2.0 re-launches (without the Webfront stores, and with Partners for Change donation scaled back from 5% to 2%)
Oct
begin selling clothing again, although line is reduced from 170 styles down to 69
2009
Feb
further fiscal pressure from the global financial crisis see another co-founder, Ian Yolles, leave the team
Jul
announce $10,000 Grant4Change program, for artists, activists or athletes nominated, in part, by Nau customers
Aug
Jolie Giese becomes chief merchandising officer for Horny Toad, Nau and the Lizard Lounge
Mark Galbraith takes over as General Manager
begin selling a line of luggage-like bags and accessories from organic cotton and recycled polyester
Nau now