Silicon Florist links arrangement for September 25, 2025

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

SEDCOR recognizes George Fox dean for his entrepreneurial efforts | Newberg Graphic

SEDCOR lauded Daley for his work on the entrepreneurial initiative Launch Mid-Valley, as well as for hosting the organization’s Oregon Startup Conference.

NASA Confirms First Crewed Mission to Orbit The Moon in 50+ Years Set For 2026 : ScienceAlert

NASA on Tuesday said it was on track to send astronauts to orbit the Moon in early 2026, as the United States races China to return to the lunar surface.

Agent + Human Ops

Brex CTO James Reggio spends a lot of time thinking about how AI can make Brex disappear. “Nobody wakes up and says ‘I can’t wait to spend time in Brex,’” he says.

Sirens, startups, and storytelling: My summer at GeekWire – GeekWire

Seattle struck me as slower and more introspective than either London or Chicago, but every bit as ambitious. Its identity seems tied to technology and creativity, but equally to lifestyle: coffee, hiking, biking, and ferries! The city feels like it is negotiating between its global tech presence and its intimate, outdoorsy character.

Startup Couve Coffee: Downtown · Luma

You will drink coffee (and tea for those who are recovering caffeine addicts) and talk with other great founders and companies in our local area.

Origami Solar’s Gregg Patterson on keys to startup success – Portland Business Journal

What are the key factors in determining if a startup has a good chance to succeed? My logic, what I’ve used since my first startup 17 years ago, is, first, you’ve got to pick an industry that has long-term growth prospects, decades of growth. Second: Is the problem I want to solve in that industry something that is a clear and obvious pain point? In each of my startups, there was a fundamental problem, an absolute gap in the ability to deliver what a mature market is going to need.

Founders are Our Customers — Oregon Venture Fund

What makes Oregon Venture Fund unique is that many of our investors are former entrepreneurs, CEOs, and leaders in their respective fields. They don’t just write checks and wait for returns. They actively participate in our mission helping with diligence, providing customer introductions, and serving on our boards. These investors are true partners in our efforts to find, develop, and build the very best companies in our region.

Business Oregon Receives $29 Million to Expand Access to Capital for Small Businesses

To support investments in Oregon’s small business ecosystem, Business Oregon has received $29 million through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). These funds will be deployed through business loans, loan guarantees, and equity investments to strengthen existing finance programs and expand access to capital for startups and growing businesses across the state.

Biamp’s Community Involvement

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Biamp Grant Program. These nonprofit organizations have demonstrated exceptional dedication to fostering education and career paths in AV and engineering. Each winner will receive substantial support to further their impactful work and inspire the next generation of professionals in the AV world.

Get Ready for the 2025 Portland Fermentation Festival – Bridgetown Bites

The 2025 Portland Fermentation Festival takes place on Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 6pm to 9pm at the Ecotrust Building in Northwest Portland, where it’s been for many years. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door—just one ticket type, unlike in years past, where they had separate pricing for attending sessions with invited speakers. Your ticket will get you access to everything, from the Bacterial Petting Zoo to the array of samples during the tasting part of the event. BTW, kids 12 and under get in free.

a16z speedrun: How to Get Into Andreessen Horowitz’s Accelerator and Raise Startup Funding

For founders, Speedrun is one of the most coveted programs in the world. The bar is high, the batches are small (around 60–70 startups), and the outcomes are already remarkable. We’ve seen companies enter with little more than a prototype and leave with millions in ARR and full seed rounds raised before Demo Day.

The Best Restaurants of the Past 20 Years Left Their Mark | Eater

The original Nong’s cart might be gone and the menu expanded (don’t sleep on the pork, seriously), but two brick-and-mortars and one bottled sauce empire later, Nong’s is the country’s most delicious feel-good story.

Startup founders say Trump’s $100K H-1B fee is a ‘talent tariff’ that will hurt innovation | TechCrunch

The H-1B visa was created to allow companies to hire skilled talent from a worldwide market for such occupations as IT and engineering. On Friday, Trump announced that the fee hike, typically paid by the employer, would increase from $2,000-$5,000 to $100,000 per application, a change that will especially be felt with the new batch of visas available in March.

Y Combinator Amps Up Investing In Fintech Startups In 2025, Data Shows

This year accelerator Y Combinator has overall invested in 100 fintech companies through Sept. 11  — far more than any other investor.

Other Oregon startup stories