---
title: 'Continuing the conversation about early stage investment in the Portland startup community'
date: '2016-09-14T20:04:42-07:00'
type: post
word_count: 326
char_count: 2296
tokens: 424
categories:
  - '#featured'
  - investors
  - Oregon
  - Portland
  - Startups
tags:
  - 'elevate capital'
  - investors
  - OAF
  - 'oregon angel fund'
  - Portland
  - 'randy fernando'
  - vault
---

# Continuing the conversation about early stage investment in the Portland startup community

Last week, I shared a [post written by a Portland founder, recounting his experience while working to raise early stage capital, here in Portland](https://medium.com/@randyfernando/oh-portland-74bfbcf68541#.37eyaj2p3 "Oh Portland"). The post immediately sparked a conversation among Portland founders. And soon, Portland investors joined the conversation, as well.

In the spirit of sharing both sides of the story, I’m posting responses published by Eric Rosenfeld of the Oregon Angel Fund and Nitin Rai of Elevate Capital.

[Eric writes](https://medium.com/@eric_37972/randy-thanks-for-sharing-your-story-and-im-sorry-you-felt-portland-investors-were-not-respectful-fd1e5828c59f#.6xbrjorap):

> Randy, thanks for sharing your story and I’m sorry you felt Portland investors were not respectful. That’s embarrassing and disappointing for those of us who have dedicated our careers and livelihood to supporting hard working local entrepreneurs like you. I’m truly sorry and deeply saddened by your experience and I take your comments to heart. I hope we can all learn and improve from your experience.

[Nitin writes](http://us11.campaign-archive2.com/?u=5c7b7289005225cbf0039b0d8&id=f0896a36c5 "Don't Shave the Superman!"):

> Recently there have been several social media posts by certain entrepreneurs who have failed to raise capital in Portland. A number of comments were made about the Portland investment community including the lack of funding for some “well deserved” entrepreneurs which caused “failure” of their startups. Others have derided attacks on entrepreneur groups that offer programming and support that includes pitch events for entrepreneurs. After some reflection, I am compelled to respond.

For more, read the [original post and comments](https://medium.com/@randyfernando/oh-portland-74bfbcf68541#.37eyaj2p3 "Oh Portland"), [Eric’s comment](https://medium.com/@eric_37972/randy-thanks-for-sharing-your-story-and-im-sorry-you-felt-portland-investors-were-not-respectful-fd1e5828c59f#.6xbrjorap) in full, and [Nitin’s response to the this and other similar conversations](http://us11.campaign-archive2.com/?u=5c7b7289005225cbf0039b0d8&id=f0896a36c5 "Don't Shave the Superman!").