Here’s a roundup of interesting startup links I came across today:
AI & Data Community: Summer Soiree
In partnership with AI Portland, this casual gathering is all about bringing together professionals, innovators, and enthusiasts from Oregon’s AI and data ecosystems. There’s no formal agenda — just good vibes, great people, and the opportunity to strengthen your network over drinks, snacks, and sunshine.
Attend the Seattle Angel Conference
The Seattle Angel Conference is a recurring Seattle Angel-driven event where the investors create an LLC, engage in due diligence of the applying startup companies, and ultimately pool funds to invest in one of the presenting finalists. The Seattle Angel Conference is the primary method Seattle Angel uses to find and fund new startups. The Seattle Angel Conference is open to any member of the community interested in learning more about both starting and investing in a new business and to hear the investment pitches from the finalists.
How Portland’s ‘ghost mall’ became the city’s coolest startup incubator – oregonlive.com
“It’s amazing to see what’s been happening at Lloyd Center during this time of transition,” Kilbane wrote in a statement. “In addition to the long-standing tenants who’ve been there for years, there’s been an influx of small, local businesses that have brought a great sense of energy and creativity to the mall. There’s a very entrepreneurial spirit and a sense of community that’s developed. It’s a very Portland vibe.”
Intel is cutting more jobs as CEO Tan tries to fix manufacturing missteps | Reuters
Intel is going to end the year with a workforce that is over a fifth smaller than last year, it said on Thursday, and new CEO Lip Bu Tan presented a blueprint for a more cost-disciplined, streamlined chipmaker that would issue “no more blank checks.”
America’s AI Action Plan
President Donald Trump released America’s AI Action Plan on Wednesday, aimed at boosting AI innovation by removing red tape, expanding AI infrastructure, and positioning America at the global forefront of AI. For startups—building AI, building with AI, and using AI to improve everyday tasks—this plan signals an awareness that AI innovation requires smart policies across a wide range of issues affecting startups developing and deploying AI.
Budgeting for AI in Your Startup by @ttunguz
There are three factors to consider. First, the average salary for a software engineer in Silicon Valley. Second is the total cost of AI used by that engineer. Cursor is now at $200 per month for their Ultra Plan & reviews of Devin suggest $500 per month. Third, the number of agents an engineer can manage.
Google’s shortened goo.gl links will stop working next month | The Verge
Google will officially deprecate links generated with its URL shortening tool next month. On August 25th, 2025, all links in the “https://goo.gl/*” format will no longer work and return a 404 error message.
The General Theory of Enshittification – Paul Krugman
But without detracting from the brilliance of Doctorow’s discussion, I’ve become convinced that his analysis is too narrow, focusing only on certain kinds of social platforms. In fact, the basic logic of enshittification — in which businesses start out being very good to their customers, then switch to ruthless exploitation — applies to any business characterized by network effects. It may go under different names like “penetration pricing,” but the logic is the same.
More Portland startup news
