Applications for Walmart's Open Call event in 2025 are now active and available for submission.
Walmart's 2025 Open Call Seeks American Innovations
Walmart is inviting U.S. entrepreneurs and innovative manufacturing companies to apply for its 2025 Open Call event, an opportunity that could see their products and innovations stocked in Walmart and Sam's Club stores across the nation. The deadline for applications is July 25, 2025.
This year, Open Call is expanding its scope to accept applications for breakthrough technologies that enable or enhance U.S. manufacturing. The focus of the manufacturing innovation search is on yield insights, shelf-life extension, alternative materials, and advanced manufacturing.
To be eligible, applicants must be U.S.-based and offer shelf-ready products or manufacturing innovations that support domestic manufacturing. These could include improvements that reduce costs, complexity, or environmental impact.
Entrepreneurs and companies must apply online, providing necessary product or innovation details for consideration. Early in 2025, Walmart conducted pop-up pitch events across multiple U.S. cities, where applicants could meet Walmart buyers, get feedback, and earn potential "fast passes" to the main Open Call event in Bentonville, Arkansas, on October 7-8, 2025.
Selected participants will be invited to pitch their product or innovation directly to Walmart and Sam’s Club buyers during the Open Call event, offering a chance to be stocked in stores or online, gaining substantial market exposure. Walmart is emphasizing innovations that reinforce its $350 billion commitment by 2030 to U.S. jobs and industry, focusing on technologies like 3D weaving and advanced manufacturing processes exemplified by companies such as Unspun.
Since 2014, Walmart's Open Call has helped thousands of small and medium businesses grow their operations. With FY2025 revenue of $681 billion, Walmart U.S. is the No. 1 food and consumables retailer in North America according to Progressive Grocer. Progressive Grocer also named Walmart among its Retailers of the Century.
Walmart founder Sam Walton initiated a "Buy American" program forty years ago, and this commitment continues today. The company employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide and serves approximately 270 million customers and members each week across more than 10,750 stores and numerous e-commerce websites in 19 countries.
[1] Walmart Newsroom. (2023, March 14). Walmart announces 2025 Open Call for U.S. Manufacturing Innovations. Retrieved from https://news.walmart.com/news/walmart-announces-2025-open-call-for-u-s-manufacturing-innovations
[2] Walmart Corporate. (2023, March 14). Walmart Announces 2025 Open Call for U.S. Manufacturing Innovations. Retrieved from https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2023/03/14/walmart-announces-2025-open-call-for-u-s-manufacturing-innovations
- Innovative solutions in the retail industry, specifically those focusing on yield insights, shelf-life extension, alternative materials, and advanced manufacturing, are welcomed in Walmart's Finance sector for the chance to be stocked in Walmart and Sam's Club stores.
- Businesses presenting U.S. manufacturing innovations at Walmart's 2025 Open Call event could potentially align with Walmart's $350 billion commitment to supporting American jobs and industries by 2030, especially those specializing in sectors like 3D weaving and advanced manufacturing processes.
