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Category: 2009

Portland’s rollercoaster year: Recapping the 2009 startup scene and looking forward to 2010

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of sitting on the couch at Strange Love Live as Cami Kaos, Dr. Normal, and I talked through the year that was. It was one of tremendous highs and extreme lows.

Last Friday, I had the pleasure—for the fourth time—of sitting on the couch at Strange Love Live as Cami Kaos, Dr. Normal, and I talked through the year that was. It was one of tremendous highs and extreme lows. I think I may have even called the ebb and flow of 2009 “manic depressive.”

And as I kept babbling, struggling for a way to describe 2009, Cami stopped me. And then summarized the whole thing, quite simply, as a “rollercoaster.” Which is a perfect summary. Because that’s exactly what 2009 was for the Portland startup scene. A rollercoaster. Read More

Top 10 Silicon Florist posts for December 2009

Here are the top 10 posts according to your peers—a combination of Web and RSS metrics—from Silicon Florist for December 2009.

Yes, yes. I realize we’re in 2010. (“Happy New Year!” by the way.) But it seems I still have a few residual 2009 items hanging out there that I’d like to cover. And one of those things is rounding up the top 10 Silicon Florist posts from last December.

What drew people’s attention as the year drew to a close? Well, let’s see. Read More

memePDX 2009 recap: If you only watch one podcast in 2009, watch this one

But honestly? I love this podcast. And I couldn’t be more honored that Cami Kaos and Dr. Normal take the time each week to help pull it together.

It was August 2009. I had just wrapped up an episode of Strange Love Live celebrating the second birthday of this here blog. I think I was still even sitting on that now iconic couch when Dr. Normal piped up.

“You should do a podcast,” he said. Read More

Strange Love Live predictions, prognostications, and postulations: What do you think 2010 holds for the Portland startup scene?

Spend time with Cami Kaos and Dr. Normal on Strange Love Live tomorrow—putting a big fat bow on our 2009 wrap-up—I’m also looking forward to seeing what all of you are capable of doing in 2010.

Yesterday, we took a little time to reminisce and look back at 2009 in the Silicon Florist. It was an interesting year of highs and lows, startups and shutdowns, big happenings and small changes.

And while I’m very excited to get the chance to spend time with Cami Kaos and Dr. Normal on Strange Love Live tomorrow—as we work on putting a big fat bow on our 2009 wrap-up—I’m also looking forward to seeing what all of you are capable of doing in 2010.

But one thing escapes me. I have no idea what you think will happen next year. So let’s fix that, shall we? Read More

What does Silicon Florist 2009 look like?

(Feel free to read that headline in a mad Samuel L. Jackson voice. I do.)

It’s the end of the year. That lull between Christmas and New Year’s Day. And as such, I’ve given the expansive staff at Silicon Florist time to go home and be with their families and friends.

That’s just how I roll. Read More

Top 10 Silicon Florist posts for November 2009

Here are the top 10 posts according to your peers—a combination of Web and RSS metrics—from Silicon Florist for November 2009.

Now that we’re past Turkey Day, how about just one more helping of November for you? Don’t worry. It’s very lo-cal. It’s the fluffy content from Silicon Florist, silly.

What did you and your peers find interesting this month? A lot of stuff. But I’ll only give you a few to read. Because you’re busy and stuff.

Here are the top 10 posts according to your peers—a combination of Web and RSS metrics—from Silicon Florist for November 2009. Read More

Top 10 Silicon Florist posts for August 2009

It was a fairly quiet month here in the Silicon Forest. A nice ebb and flow of big stories punctuated by periods of silence. But it’s August. So that’s to be expected.

So what did the dog days of summer reveal for the startup scene in Oregon? Well, even as quiet as it was, there were still quite a few stories—here and there—that got people talking. Which ones? Well, here are the top 10 posts according to your peers—a combination of Web and RSS metrics—from Silicon Florist for August 2009. Take a look. Read More

Top 10 Silicon Florist posts for July 2009

So here are the top 10 posts according to your peers a combination of Web and RSS metrics from Silicon Florist for July 2009. What’s more, I’m dubbing July the month of horrendously long headlines. Take a look.

Whatever happened to taking it easy during the summer, you crazy kids? Even with a series of 100 degree days, no one seems to be slowing down around the Silicon Forest. There were tons of things happening. And some especially momentous, um, moments.

I wanted to give you a look back. Just in case you were actually taking some time off. But I didn’t want to just grab a random post here and there. So here are the top 10 posts according to your peers—a combination of Web and RSS metrics—from Silicon Florist for July 2009. What’s more, I’m dubbing July the month of horrendously long headlines. Take a look. Read More

All hail Ontier, DEMOgod

OntierAs I mentioned on Monday, local stealth startup Ontier was selected to unveil their product, Pixetell, at DEMO09, one of the premier venues for showcasing new—and previously unseen—technology.

As any number of applicants can tell you, it’s a coup to even be selected to appear on the DEMO stage. So Ontier was way ahead of the game by being one of the only Northwest companies selected.

And anyone who has stood on the DEMO stage can tell you that it can be one of the most nerve-wracking experiences—even for the most seasoned presenter. Making it through the five minutes is an accomplishment in and of itself.

So, they got selected. And they presented well. End of story, right? Not quite.

Ontier didn’t stop there. No, no. Just leave it to the Portland types to go and make us even more proud.

Not only did Ontier lead off the presentations, they led off by knocking it out of the park: Ontier has been named one of the DEMOgods for DEMO 09.

What’s a DEMOgod?

Each conference DEMO unveils a new class of the industry’s upcoming technologies, and it always proves difficult to pick and choose the most exceptional products. The desirable DEMOgod Awards are given to those that show outstanding potential to succeed in the market while motivating and exciting the DEMO audience.

Ontier was one of seven companies selected for the honor.

That makes this worth one more look.

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Business Leader Northwest: Meet leading Portland blogging types at the blogger pavilion

Business Leader NWBusiness Leader Northwest—a leadership conference being held February 25 and 26 at the Oregon Convention Center—is pulling in a number of big names for the conference. People like Stephen Covey, Burgerville Chairman Tom Mears, and Umpqua’s Ray Davis.

But did you know that they’re pulling in a ton of big name local bloggers, as well? It’s true. They’ll have an entire “blogger pavilion” on the trade show floor.

The following folks—many of whom you’ll likely recognize—are slated to be around:

Still on the fence about whether or not to attend? Maybe you should read some posts from these bloggers on the Business Leader NW blog.

How about now? Really? Even with all of those cool bloggers and their insights and stuff?

Okay, fine. Here’s another push: $25 of your entry fee goes to the non-profit of your choice.

See? I knew that would get you, you old softie. So why don’t you go register and we’ll see you in the blogger pavilion at some point.

Need more? Visit the site for a schedule of Business Leader NW or keep up-to-date on the latest by following Business Leader NW on Twitter.

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