More and more venture capital funds are embracing the concept of “scouts” to help them with deal flow — and its a win win for folks who are in close contact with startups but aren’t necessarily investing. The funds get access to a wider spectrum of companies. And the scouts get compensated for finding startups that are on thesis for the funds.
Read MoreLooking for a new take on virtual events? It might be Skittish
If I accomplished one thing during 2020, it was successfully test driving innumerable online meeting and collaboration platforms. I mean, what else was there to do, really? And throughout that time I kept thinking, “Trying to recreate the real world meeting or event dynamic online is only going to result in an uncomfortable and awkward Uncanny Valley situation.” The true winner of the new generation of virtual events, in my opinion, was going to have to come at the problem of gathering virtually in a new and creative way. And with that in mind, Skittish just might be on to something.
Read MoreHow do you get the most out of Clubhouse?
Maybe you have an invite. Maybe you don’t. Maybe you’re psyched on Clubhouse. Maybe you’re not. But whatever the case, it’s always nice to know more about new social platforms, right? Right. That’s why I was glad to see ConvertKit COO and Portland startup community contributor Barrett Brooks documenting his experiences with Clubhouse.
Read MoreApril showers bring May startup pitch competitions: TechfestNW is back
It seems like only yesterday that we were judging startups as part of the first full virtual TechfestNW, the annual destination event for startups and the startup curious, organized by Willamette Week. Because it was practically yesterday. But now, TFNW is back for a one day event in May 2021.
Read MoreMilkRun founder and CEO Julia Niiro featured in Forbes Next 1000
As I said earlier today and this afternoon, it’s always a pleasure to see Portland startups recognized by folks. Especially national publications. Like Forbes. Which is what happened with MilkRun founder and CEO Julia Niiro, who was among the first 250 people named to the Forbes Next 1000. (Okay, she’s in Austin now. But MilkRun is still very much a Portland startup in my opinion.)
Read MoreThere’s a new Mars Rover to follow on Twitter
Call me geeky, but I love following those anthropomorphic and usually somewhat snarky Twitter accounts of random objects and robots and brands and whatnot. And with the successful landing of a new Mars rover, today, there’s another account I’ll be following. And I thought you might like to follow it as well. It’s NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover.
Portland startup Source named to the Building Tech 50 list
As I mentioned earlier today, it’s always nice to see Portland startups getting recognized for their awesomeness. So I wanted to make sure that you knew that Portland startup Source has been named to the BuiltWorlds Building Tech 50 list for 2021.
Read MoreA Kids Book About CEO Jelani Memory among Portland Business Journal Executive of the Year honorees
Founding and leading a startup is hard. Incredibly hard. And lonely. And stressful. So when a startup founder gets recognition or an award, it’s always worth taking a moment to recognize that. Like today, when Jelani Memory, founder and CEO of A Kids Book About, was honored by the Portland Business Journal as one of their Executives of the Year.
Read MoreTalking business and investment with Stephen Green
“It’s simple… but it’s not easy.” That’s how Portland’s Stephen Green describes running a business. So how do you make it easier? Stephen shares some tips for running and investing in any business — with a particular focus on Black businesses — as a guest on the Let’s Talk Marketing podcast with Nathan Webster.
Read MoreState of Oregon releases plan to guide innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment efforts over the next decade
Oregon now has a strategy for guiding the future of innovation in the state. The nearly 100 page document, created by TEConomy Partners from Ohio based on the insights from a number of interviews from around the state and months of guidance from the Oregon Innovation Council Futures Commission, provides strategic direction on recommended activities that will enable Oregon to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment over the next 10 years.
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