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Category: investors

A familiar refrain from startup founders on early stage funding opportunities

Rick Turoczy on July 15, 2020

“Risk averse. Conservative.… Out of touch.” They’re all complaints I’ve heard from Portland startup founders when describing the earliest stages of raising capital around these parts. But I always assumed that Seattle — with its extensive tech presence of major headquarters and massive regional offices — was a better environment. Apparently, it’s not. Those quoted comments are Seattle startup founders describing their Angel investment community.

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Searching for a VC that’s likely to be the first money in? This list could help

Rick Turoczy on July 15, 2020

Remember a few weeks back when I mentioned that TechCrunch was compiling a list of venture capitalists that regularly wrote the first checks and led rounds for folks? Well, even if you don’t, the list is now available. It’s called The TechCrunch List. And it features nearly 400 investors, currently.

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Which VC is most likely to be the “first money in” for your startup? The TechCrunch List aims to find out

Rick Turoczy on June 18, 2020

“No one wants to be the first one in the pool” is a truism regularly bandied about the venture funded startup circles. That’s because — for companies that choose that equity based financing route — landing that first check can be the most critical component of fundraising. But which venture capital firm or Angel is truly the most likely to be that “first money in” for your company? That’s what TechCrunch is seeking to answer with The TechCrunch List.

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For startups, Portland Seed Fund closing is a very good thing

Rick Turoczy on July 30, 2019

In some industries, the idea of “closing” can be the worst possible outcome. But in the world of startups, closing is often a very good thing. And the latest news from the Portland Seed Fund is no different. The Portland Business Journal just revealed that PSF has just closed their third fund to the tune of $13.9 million.

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If only there were a Twitter list of venture capital folks…

Rick Turoczy on February 5, 2019

Said someone, probably. And thanks to local investor and startup accelerator director Dylan Boyd, there is. It may be incomplete, but it’s likely far better than any list you’ve got going currently. Nearly 2000 folks and firms in the venture capital industry. All talking about what they had for lunch. And probably some VC stuff too.

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Both Cascade Angels and XXcelerate Fund XXcelerator open applications for startups

Rick Turoczy on April 25, 2018

If you’re a startup that’s looking for some support, there are a couple of opportunities to apply for that sort of assistance. Cascade Angels is currently accepting applications for early stage startups seeking funding. And XXcelerate Fund is accepting applications for the next round of its XXcelerator program for women founded companies.

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A Portland founder’s perspective on venture capital and its effects on companies

Rick Turoczy on November 9, 2017

In the startup world, there are some prevailing assumptions about venture capital and building companies. But just because those assumptions are prevailing doesn’t mean they’re correct. That’s why I always like resources that help demystify the world of venture capital and its impact on companies. Like Venture Deals by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson.

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Who are the most active venture capital groups (VCs) investing in Oregon?

Rick Turoczy on August 22, 2017

Over the past ten years, we’ve seen a change in venture capital in Oregon. Previously dominant VCs have stopped investing or become less active while a series of new players have entered the market. And outside investment—folks from other states who have invested in Oregon companies—has definitely seen an upswing. But who are the new leaders in VC in Oregon startups—and are they local? PitchBook crunched some numbers for us.

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A little startup homework over the weekend: Bend Venture Conference opens applications

Rick Turoczy on July 7, 2017

Every October, any number of investors descend upon Bend to take part in the largest cash prize startup competition in the Pacific Northwest, the Bend Venture Conference. It’s arguably the most valuable investor gathering in the state. But you know what? It’s only truly valuable if there are awesome startups there. That’s where you come in.

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Looking for early stage funding? Look to Cascade Angels

Rick Turoczy on June 1, 2017

While Oregon still has a ways to go in terms of building a self sustaining startup ecosystem, any number of folks have been doing an impressive job of building up our early stage funding resources throughout the state. And one of those groups of early stage investors, Cascade Angels, is looking for some more companies in which to invest.

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