Small businesses get chance to pitch products, innovative tech to Walmart

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (OBV) – Oklahoma small businesses can now apply to pitch their products and innovative manufacturing technology to Walmart.

Walmart opened applications for their annual Open Call event.

Small business owners and entrepreneurs have until July 25 to apply for the opportunity to have their products sold on Walmart or Sam’s Club shelves or through Walmart.com.

The upcoming Open Call — scheduled for October 7–8 in Bentonville, Ark. — will be Walmart’s 12th such event, according to Ivan Jaime, director of Government and Public Affairs for Walmart.

Applicants can only pitch products that are made, grown or assembled in the United States.

Walmart research found that more than 86 percent of the company’s customers said it’s important that the products they purchase are made in the United States.

“This is in our DNA,” said Jason Fremstad, senior vice president, supplier development for Walmart sourcing. “Supporting American-made products has been part of our story since the beginning, and it will be for decades to come.”

Go to the Open Call portal to apply for the chance to have your products sold through Walmart.

This year’s Open Call is also giving small businesses the opportunity to pitch breakthrough technologies that enable or enhance U.S. manufacturing.

“America has no shortage of ideas — it’s the infrastructure and tools that are often the biggest roadblocks,” Fremstad said. “We want to find innovations that can help close that gap and unlock new possibilities for U.S. manufacturing.”

Walmart is seeking breakthrough manufacturing innovation in several categories, including yield insights, shelf-life extension, alternative materials and advanced manufacturing to lessen complexity, cost and environmental impact on U.S. manufacturing.

Unspun, a San Francisco-based company that pioneered 3D weaving technologies, is an innovative small business Walmart partnered with to streamline the supply chain and help revolutionize the textile industry.

Fill out and submit this online form if you are interested in pitching your manufacturing innovation to Walmart.

Thousands of small and medium businesses grow have been able to grow their operations, expand their manufacturing footprint and create jobs in their local communities thanks to opportunities they received from Open Call.

“It’s more than a pitch meeting — it’s a platform for long-term growth,” Jaime said.