Here’s a roundup of interesting startup links I came across today:
Angel Investors, A Field Guide | Jean Yang
When I first became a founder, I had little idea how much working with the right angel investors could help. This post is everything I would tell a first-time founder (who is headed down the VC-funded) route about working angels.
DreamUp: The Game of Creative Collaboration
DreamUp is a game of creativity, collaboration, and reimagining everyday life. It’s a collaborative game designed to spark your creativity while having fun solving everyday problems with your friends. Let loose and let your wildest ideas out of the box! And learn a new way of working along the way!
National Knife Day 2025 – Portland Knife Center of Excellence
The Portland Knife Center of Excellence continues to strengthen, and now has seven local knife brands as members. The PKCOE will host its second annual Showcase Event highlighting these Portland’s knifemakers and the history of local knife manufacturing on “National Knife Day,” August 24, 2025. In addition to all seven brands being present, the showcase will also feature knife forging demonstrations, local food and drink, and more.
Portland Office of Small Business: August 2025
With a dazzling array of street fairs and night markets, there’s so much to see and do in Portland in August. This month’s newsletter offers a rundown of events and opportunities to help you make the most of these gorgeous summer days—and grow your business while you’re at it.
The Looming Social Crisis of AI Friends and Chatbot Therapists
Just as it took a while to recognize the way that the global room of social media might warp our minds and politics, I think it’s going to take time to recognize what happens when technologists build chatbots that are simultaneously talking to hundreds of millions of adults, and socializing tens of millions of children based on a stable underlying propensity to behave and talk in a certain way—that is, based on a personality. When hundreds of millions of people interact with the same chatbot, we are witnessing what you might call personality at scale.
Techworks Rad Workday » Calagator: Portland’s Tech Calendar
Join us for a Rad Workday lunch-and-learn that breaks down how to find employee benefits that truly work for everyone in your organization. We’ll cover the most common mistakes companies make during renewal season, share a simple 3-step framework for making smart choices, and spark ideas for future benefits that fit your team’s needs and your budget.
Tech Startups Look to Spend, Hire U.S. Workers After Trump Tax Changes – WSJ
Tech startups are dusting off U.S. hiring plans after Congress revived a popular tax deduction—and the same change could drive domestic hiring more broadly as well, executives and tax professionals say.
The Founder’s Guide to Closing Your First Million in ARR: A Step-by-Step Sales Playbook | Foundations – In-person, Invite-only startup community in Seattle
TL;DR: Getting to $1M ARR isn’t about being a sales genius—it’s about consistency, customer insights, and doing 10 high-quality outreach messages per day. This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly how technical founders can master sales without losing their product focus.
ON THE LAWN
Think of it as a creative recess from the daily grind—a chance to connect, grow, and level up with Bend’s talented community. The vibe is laid-back, but the goal is to leave inspired and ready for what’s next!
Show Up for Small Business Tickets, Wed, Aug 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM | Eventbrite
This month we will head to NE Broadway and land at The Broadway Grill and Broadway Books. Grab some food and drink and then stop by and grab a book..or grab a book and then head to grab some food. Either way works! The Broadway Grill is offering 10% off food and 1/2 off a beer tasting flight. NE Broadway also has you covered with other great businesses like Eb and Bean, Thai Pod, Swift Lounge,Sushi Ohana, Pastini, Woodblock Chocolate, and Aztec Willies if you’d like to wander around. There is also Broadway Ink close by in case you want to add on a tattoo to end the evening.
More Oregon startup news
