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Category: OEN

Shazam! Voila! and Alakazam! OpenSesame wins OEN Angel Oregon 2011 and 4-Tell walks away with the crowd favorite

When it comes to critiques of the Portland startup scene, one of the chief complaints is a shortage of “successful exits” and “repeat entrepreneurs.” We see them here and there. With the Iterasis and the Urban Airships and the AboutUses. But for the most part, those types of Portland startups are few and far between.

But that may be changing. At OEN Angel Oregon yesterday, we not only saw a couple of tech companies walk away with some recognition, we saw some repeat entrepreneurial talent take on their next challenges. Read More

Could you use an Angel? Early bird applications for OEN Angel Oregon 2011 close December 15 at 5 PM

It’s getting to be that time of year again. You know, the time of year when you’re applying for this and that in hopes of having a full dance card in 2011? Well, winning prizes and prestige are great. But lining up funding? Now that’s the real magic.

And that’s why there’s OEN Angel Oregon, an event designed to get interesting startups in front of early stage investors. And if you hurry and apply, you’ll get a few early bird perks to boot Read More

Want to profit off of streaming media? Attend OEN PubTalk tonight. I mean in person.

Yes, it’s that time of year again. Where aspiring entrepreneurs stand up and pitch their startup story to a beer quaffing crowd. That’s right. It’s time for OEN PubTalks.

And while any sort of startup is allowed to pitch during the events, here at Silicon Florist, we always take an interest in those startups with more of a techie bent. Tonight, one of those startups will be taking the stage at OEN PubTalk Seed Oregon 2010 – Round 2. Read More

FAIL tale: Post mortem on the demise of Portland’s SplashCast

SplashCast exec Tom Turnbull and investors Angela Jackson and John Karl will give us their take on the SplashCast demise, tonight at the OEN Pub Talk.

It’s never a happy to thing to have to report on the demise of once high-flying and well-funded Portland startups. But that’s exactly what happened, last year, when Portland-based SplashCast wound up switching off.

What happened? Why did a company that had secured $4 million in capital fail to materialize? CEO Mike Berkley gave us his take on it. And now, SplashCast exec Tom Turnbull and investors Angela Jackson and John Karl will give us their take on the SplashCast demise, tonight at the OEN Pub Talk. Read More

Reward yourself: OEN Tom Holce Entrepreneurship Awards, SoMe Awards, and WebVisions Webvisionary Awards all accepting nominations

I found three awards that could very well land you on the red carpet with a statuette: OEN Tom Holce Entrepreneurship Awards, SoMe Awards, and WebVisions Webvisionary Awards.

Now, everyone has an opinion on awards. Some positive. Some negative. But here’s the thing. Everyone—and I do mean everyone—likes to be recognized for their efforts. Especially if it’s by their mentors and peers. And sometimes awards are the best way to formalize that recognition.

And since you already missed the Oscars and I don’t quite think you have the lungs for the Grammy, I found three awards that could very well land you on the red carpet with a statuette: OEN Tom Holce Entrepreneurship Awards, SoMe Awards, and WebVisions Webvisionary Awards. So let’s take a look at how we get you and that statue on speaking terms, shall we? We shall. Read More

OEN Venture Northwest 2009: Recapping pitches from Giftango, Elemental, Prolifiq, ShopIgniter, and Second Porch

Now, Venture Northwest isn’t a tech-centric thing. It’s a startup thing. But there were some interesting tech companies that pitched. So I thought I’d recap for you. Or more appropriately, steal borrow my own recaps from the Venture Northwest guest posts I submitted to TechFlash.

I had the opportunity to attend Venture Northwest, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network‘s annual pitch day for early stage startups. You know, kind of like a DEMO or a TechCrunch 50. No cash prizes. But a great deal of opportunity to score some cash, given that the folks at Venture Northwest have the opportunity to pitch their ideas  in front of a roomful of potential investors from throughout the angel and venture capital communities.

Now, Venture Northwest isn’t a tech-centric thing. It’s a startup thing. But there were some interesting tech companies that pitched. So I thought I’d recap for you. Or more appropriately, steal borrow my own recaps from the Venture Northwest guest posts I submitted to TechFlash. Read More

OEN Tom Holce Entrepreneurship Awards get downright webby for 2009

Usually when it comes to entrepreneurial awards in the Silicon Forest, I do my best to cheer for the Web, open source, and mobile startups who receive nominations. And then I usually wind up crying in my beer when the awards are handed to apparel and biotech startups.

But not this year, my friend. Oh no. This time around the OEN Tom Holce Entrepreneurship Awards recognized three Web types with awards: Ray King of AboutUs, Jama Software, and Monsoon. All Portland-based, respectively. Read More

Oregon Angel Fund closes $3 million fund—and dishes out portions to three startups

Talk to practically any Oregon entrepreneur about angel investors and venture capital and you’ll get a luke warm reception—at best. But is that response simply perception and assumption or is it reality? I ask because the Oregon Angel Fund just gave us three million little reasons for taking another look at the Oregon angel scene.

You see, Xconomy is reporting that the Oregon Angel Fund has closed a $3 million fund. Read More

Miss the OEN Venture Northwest application deadline? No you didn’t

It happened again, didn’t it? I know, I know. You were planning to do it. But you kept hitting snooze on the task. And then when you finally had a second to consider it, you realized that the deadline for applying for OEN Venture Northwest had passed. So sad. And you had “smart investment” written all over you.

Well, turn that frown upside down, my friend. You’re in luck. You’ve been granted an extension. That’s right. The deadline is now September 8. So get working on that Venture Northwest application. I mean, you weren’t planning to do anything this weekend anyway, right? Read More

OEN Venture Northwest: You’ve got one week left to apply

For many entrepreneurs, convincing a venture capital group to fund their business is a dream come true. Not only do they gain capital, but they also get some validation that—contrary to what their families have been telling them—they may not be crazy.

But making those connections—even before the funding comes into the picture—can be difficult. Very difficult. That’s why there are any number of events that work to play matchmaker between startups and people looking to fund startups. And one of the most respected events for making those connections around here? That would be OEN Venture Northwest. And if you act fast, you could be one of the companies being introduced to those investors. Read More