About Nemo
Posted by Mark Richardson on Jan 30, 2026
Nemo's History
The idea for NEMO was born one turbulent night in 2002 on the side of Mount Washington, where founder Cam Brensinger spent five sleepless hours in a poorly designed bivy. That night, he realized how much opportunity there was for thoughtful design as part of the equation for enjoying adventure. Coming down the mountain the next day, he resolved to tackle that challenge. Cam founded NEMO Equipment in the spring of his senior year at the Rhode Island School of Design and, three days after graduation, opened its first office in Nashua, New Hampshire.
The name NEMO was inspired by both the idea of “New England Mountain Outfitters” and Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo. (New England… A spirit of adventure… Pretty fitting, huh?)
Cam set up operations in a restored textile mill with some fellow designers and engineers, where he worked for two years patterning and building prototypes of his first proprietary airbeam-supported tents.
In 2004, he launched the brand, and it quickly began winning awards for design and innovation. NEMO was the overall winner of the ISPO Brand New award in 2005 and its designs were among the 100 best inventions of the year awarded by TIME and Popular Science. These kicked off a string of awards and accolades that have only continued since then.
For two decades, as our team has grown, we have actively lived out the belief that intelligently designed gear enables the adventures that make us all our best selves — humans who are conscious, inspired, connected, and mindful. The sticker in our conference room captures our ethos: “Design Like You Give a Damn.”
And we do just that.
How NEMO Design
Our Inspiration: How can you design a great solution if you don’t understand the problem? Their process starts with a passion for the outdoors – getting outside, getting dirty, climbing high, travelling far, and sleeping outside as much as possible. A prerequisite for joining NEMO is a love of nature, and this is where their best ideas stem from.
Focus on the Experience: NEMO's driving motivation is to improve the experience of adventure. Every day, they ask themselves, “How can we use smart design to keep adventurers dryer, warmer, and more comfortable?” Instead of simply aiming to “make a tent,” they focus on what users will be doing in that tent and how it will be utilised.
Design and Engineering: The best ideas come from a blend of design and engineering. Their team comprises a mix of designers and engineers who contribute varied perspectives to the design process. Solutions evolve through a committed and enduring evolution that includes dead-ends, happy accidents, and thoughtful iteration.
Own Every Detail: Unlike many brands today, all creative work at NEMO is done in-house. They do not allow an idea to leave the studio until they have labored over and owned every detail, down to the smallest screw and tiniest zipper. This approach permeates their entire business.
Lessen our Impact: Sustainability is baked into our approach to design, driven from a core belief to conserve our valuable resources and minimize the impact our adventures and our gear have on this planet.
Be proud of everything you do: NEMO's goal goes beyond making great equipment for adventure to mastering the entire process. They believe in pushing past the initial idea; fixing on a concept too early diminishes the possibility of something greater emerging along the way. Determination and grit are essential to their process, and pride is equally important at the end.
Put it to the test: Testing is a crucial part of their process. While many brands rely on manufacturing partners to ensure their gear meets minimum specifications, they take this process more seriously. Through both lab testing and field testing, they cover all bases. Their lab is equipped with a rain chamber, tensile tester, heat chamber, and several other rigorous (and enjoyable) tools. However, nothing compares to the challenges that a product faces in the real world. They have an extensive network of field testers who take their products to distant locations, testing them under the most strenuous conditions.
Founder Owned
Founder & CEO Cam Brensinger aims to build the best business, not simply the biggest one. This mindset has supported the company for 20 years and led to strategic growth, establishing NEMO as a major player in the outdoor industry while upholding strong values and maintaining a small, close-knit work culture.
New England Proud
NEMO is proudly headquartered in Dover, New Hampshire, where beaches, forests, and mountains are all within easy reach. The Northeast is home to top-tier universities and leaders in technology, as well as many established outdoor lifestyle brands, making it an ideal location for big ideas and big adventures.
Spirit of Adventure
At NEMO, there is a true belief that adventure can be found anywhere, whether at the top of Mount Washington, a hidden beach spot, or even in one’s own backyard. They build gear that facilitates taking that first step into the outdoors and aspire to help transform that step into a lifelong passion.
In this post, we tell you all about the company Nemo Equipment. We were the first in the UK to sell their products, and the relationship is as good as ever. Founder & CEO Cam Brensinger aims to build the best business, not simply the biggest one. This mindset has supported the company for 20 years and led to strategic growth, establishing NEMO as a major player in the outdoor industry while upholding strong values and maintaining a small, close-knit work culture. NEMO is proudly headquartered in Dover, New Hampshire, where beaches, forests, and mountains are all within easy reach. The Northeast is home to top-tier universities and leaders in technology, as well as many established outdoor lifestyle brands, making it an ideal location for big ideas and big adventures.