Portland Oregon startups, tech, news, events, jobs, and community

I begged you to respond to a survey on the Oregon 10-year Innovation Plan. So I felt it was the only fair and responsible thing to do to share what I told the folks — directly to their face. You see, in addition to completing the survey, I got to sit down with the team doing the midpoint assessment of Oregon’s 2021 10-Year Innovation Plan — Teconomy, the Ohio consultancy — cue the Pretenders (yes, I just nested an emdash phrase inside an emdash phrase so sue me) — paid by the state of Oregon to do the research and the folks who wrote the original plan. They’re the selfsame folks tasked with figuring out how the thing is holding up after five years. They asked for candid feedback. I gave them candid feedback. A lot of it. Because why not…?

Last night at the McMenamin’s Mission Theater, a packed crowd sat through a sweltering session sans air conditioning to meet entrepreneurs from throughout the state during Oregon Entrepreneurs Network Angel Oregon Technology showcase. And they saved the best until last. Literally. Yak walked away with the win, taking home a big check worth $155,000 from local Angel investors.

Here’s a roundup of interesting startup links I came across today:

Silicon Florist turns twenty — August 7, 2027

A countdown to Silicon Florist’s 20th birthday. Tending the Silicon Forest since August 7, 2007.

As you have unfortunately encountered — and probably tried to forget — Silicon Florist now also includes a YouTube channel that features weekly recaps of the startup news from the week. (It also comes in podcast flavors, but this is specifically about the YouTube channel.) Every week, I try to provide you with a cringeworthy few minutes of entertainment. But I can’t help but think that there could be something more. And less of me.

Here’s a roundup of interesting startup links I came across today:

RAJ Sports announces lineup of speakers for Epicenter Week – Portland Business Journal

Event organizers have just announced an impressive lineup of speakers. Notable names include eight-time Olympic medal winner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, head coach of the University of South Carolina’s women’s team Dawn Staley, LPGA superstar Michelle Wie West and Reddit co-founder (and husband of Serena Williams) Alexis Ohanian.

Even though summer tends to be a little slower around here, there are still a bunch of opportunities to connect with community. From meeting with fellow founders to learning from some of the smartest folks in town, here’s what’s on the docket for this week.