Here’s a roundup of interesting startup links I came across today:
Inside Portland’s Most Unlikely Farm: Nexgarden Farms Grows Microgreens in the South Waterfront
As Nexgarden approaches its sixth year, Pearson is working toward a goal many small business owners share: creating systems robust enough to operate without her constant presence. “I’d like to get the farm operating and refined enough where I’ve got a handbook, and I’ve got a couple employees I trust, and it runs.”
Climate Pledge Arena, Arrowhead Stadium add Bold Reuse cups – Portland Business Journal
Portland reusable packaging startup Bold Reuse has added Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena to its growing list of venues to launch a reusable cup program with the company.
PEP+Co. brings sustainable clean-up to event planning – Portland Business Journal
Earlier this summer she launched Post Event Pros, PEP+Co, to work with event producers of all sizes to sustainably break down their events by figuring out how to reuse, recycle or, in the case of food and other perishables, donate items to local nonprofits.
Portland coworking market cools down, according to Yardi Research – Portland Business Journal
NedSpace, one of Portland’s oldest coworking spaces relocated to a new space in downtown Portland in July. Owner Faris Mubarak said in a statement that the move would allow the coworking space to host events and programming to bring people back to downtown Portland.
To Learn a New Market, Start by Building Your Product — Tactics From a Twitter PM Turned Healthcare Founder
Color co-founder and CEO Othman Laraki built a billion-dollar company in an industry he had zero professional experience in. Here, he shares four product-building tactics that helped him learn the healthcare industry.
As big box stores flee, Portland shopkeepers feel pressure to fuel downtown renaissance – oregonlive.com
Among the patrons back at Drip Drop on Monday was Stephen Green, who’d stopped in for a meeting. The Better Portland executive director frequents the small businesses his organization advocates. He said he wishes Portland City Council members and the mayor would do the same in a publicly visible way. This shop sits two blocks from City Hall. “They should be spending time at these businesses every week,” Green said.
Oregon Coast CC sets up fund in honor of former small business coordinator • Lincoln Chronicle
The newly established Ron Spisso Lighthouse Fund for Small Business Success will continue his legacy by offering small, meaningful financial supports to entrepreneurs working to grow their businesses. These supports might include funding for certification courses, licensing fees, or other modest but essential expenses.
First Lady Melania Trump Launches Nationwide Presidential AI Challenge – The White House
Through initiatives like the Presidential AI Challenge, Mrs. Trump aims to empower the next generation to explore and innovate within this rapidly evolving field. To watch the video, learn more, and sign up for the Presidential AI Challenge, please visit AI.gov/initiatives/presidential-challenge.
Why the US government is not the savior Intel needs | TechCrunch
While it remains unclear if converting those government grants into equity is even possible — that’s up for debate — it’s even less obvious how this move will solve Intel’s biggest problem, its waffling foundry business. Even Intel is unconvinced.
Current applications for Techstars Accelerators
In each three-month program, we help entrepreneurs find product-market fit, get traction, and access capital and mentorship. Small class sizes and a world-class network is a proven model that’s better for founders. Explore programs and start your application today.
Expensify Travel Update August 2025: Central Billing & Event Management
Coordinating business travel is one of the last great pain points in modern work, so we built Expensify Travel to eliminate the hassle. From booking flights to managing expenses, we’ve automated the process for travelers, admins, and everyone in between.
Business Oregon Reopens Application Support Program to Help Oregon Businesses Access Federal SBIR and STTR Grants
Business Oregon and the Oregon Innovation Council (Oregon InC) are once again accepting requests for application support grants from Oregon companies pursuing funding from the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
More Portland startup stories
