Portland startups, open source, and tech news, jobs, and events #pdx
[Editor: Portland startup founder Rachel Bell submitted this guest post as a way to share her experience in PIE, an early-stage startup accelerator. And to encourage other founders to apply to the program. The following post has not been edited. Full disclosure: I am the cofounder and general manager of PIE.]
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If there’s one thing I know for certain about Portland, it’s that buying local is super important. I would love to see that same “buy local” mentality motivating us to support local startups. We should be buying local. For everything. Literally buying. Spending money to support these businesses. Because being a customer of a startup is the best way to support startups.
Sometimes—not often, mind you, but sometimes—I write stuff other places. I mean, it’s not any better than the stuff I write here. And honestly, it would be difficult for it to be grammatically worse than the stuff I write here. But in any case, sometimes I write stuff on other platforms that could still be valuable to you. So I wanted you to know about it.
When looking at the world of apps, many folks would think that the last thing the world needs is another photosharing app. But those folks might be wrong. Take a look at PIE alum Fleck, who is well on its way to proving that there are very real opportunities—by taking on the crowded photosharing app market with a product that focuses on the quality of content. Read More
A few years back, I had the opportunity to run a BarCamp Portland session called “From side project to startup.” I’ve always liked that thought. Because it’s a dream that so many of us have. To work on something we love—even if it’s on the side. And for that project to build so much momentum and find users and find revenue. And that we could make it our job. Day in and day out.
Well, I never believed it would happen to me. But with Silicon Florist and PIE, it has. Read More
First, Oregon Film hosted Portland Lunch 2.0 that brought filmmakers and tech folks together. And now AIGA Portland will be hosting dMob dLux, a gathering of graphic designers and tech types at PIE, tonight.
I’m a big proponent of getting the Portland tech scene—a very creative group in their own right—talking to the more established creative communities here in Portland, like graphic design, apparel, food carts, advertising, craft brewing, and film—just to name a few. It’s always nice to see different creative types getting together.
Well today seems to be a banner day for that. First, Oregon Film hosted a jampacked Portland Lunch 2.0 that brought filmmakers and tech folks together. And now AIGA Portland will be hosting dMob dLux, a gathering of graphic designers and tech types at PIE, tonight. Read More
Well, you’re going to need some legal advice. But where to start? That’s where the Portland Incubator Experiment (PIE) is trying to help with Startup Law 101.
When you get going with a startup, it’s usually driven by passion, desire, and the hopes of making the world a better place. Rarely—and I do mean rarely—does that initial drive involve the world of contracts and legal shelters.
But fact of the matter is, if you’re going to make your startup a reality—and a going concern—you’re going to need to make sure that you’ve crossed all the “I”s and dotted all of the “T”s. Or um. Well, you’re going to need some legal advice. But where to start? That’s where the Portland Incubator Experiment (PIE) is trying to help. Read More
One of the primary culprits? The basics of finance. I mean, let’s face it, you didn’t come up with a startup idea because of your love of numbers and tax law.
Sometimes, the biggest barrier to getting your startup off the ground isn’t the things you know—it’s the things you don’t know. Worse yet, finding a mentor or a trusted voice to help you figure things out can be more difficult than it should be.
One of the primary culprits? The basics of finance. I mean, let’s face it, you didn’t come up with a startup idea because of your love of numbers and tax law. Well, maybe you did. But you get my point.
What to do? What to do? Well, how does gaining some basic knowledge about finance for startups sound? Good? Good. You’re in luck. Read More
Back when I first mentioned the Portland Incubator Experiment (PIE) a collaborative project between Wieden + Kennedy and some folks in the Portland startup scene details were admittedly nebulous.
[HTML4]Back when I first mentioned the Portland Incubator Experiment (PIE)—a collaborative project between Wieden + Kennedy and some folks in the Portland startup scene—details were, admittedly, nebulous. And understandably, to some, it seemed as if the folks at PIE were being intentionally vague. So I promised to keep providing more details as time went on.
Well, now some more folks involved in the experiment—like Renny Gleeson of W+K, Scott Kveton, and Jason Glaspey, all of whom are helping head up PIE—have provided some of their thoughts on what PIE is trying to accomplish. Read More
