It’s one of those weeks in Seattle. Founders’ Co-op announced their new fund. And now, Pioneer Square Labs has revealed Fund II, a $100 million fund focused on early stage startups in the Pacific Northwest.
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Portland Seed Fund portfolio company Auth0 to exit for $6.5 billion
While Auth0 is a Seattle company, they do have a distinct Portland tie. You see, the Portland Seed Fund was one of the company’s early investors. And today was a big day for everyone involved, given that it was just announced that Okta is acquiring Auth0 for $6.5 billion.
Read MoreSeattle-based investor Founders’ Co-op closes largest fund yet
While Founders’ Co-op is headquartered in Seattle, the fund regularly puts money to work in Portland. So when I hear the news that they have more money to put to work, I always remain hopeful that they’ll continue that trend of investing here. Because Founders Co-op has $50 million to invest from their latest fund.
Read MoreAnd so it goes: Indie.vc is no more
One of the most rewarding things about covering the Portland startup community is the opportunity to watch things come full circle. Sometimes, that’s extremely positive. Like watching founders start something, build something, and successfully exit something. Sometimes, it’s less positive. Like being around for both the beginning and the end of an effort, successful or otherwise.
Read MoreVamosVentures selects Portland’s Juan Barraza as a part of its inaugural scout program
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 MoreCascade Seed Fund reveals 12 investments in 2020
For all of the weirdness of 2020, some things in Oregon remained the same. People still built interesting companies. And local investors still supported them. Among them, Cascade Seed Fund wound up adding a dozen companies to its portfolio.
Read MoreA new name and some new money to help introduce it: Meet DeepSurface (formerly Kanchil)
I’ve been tracking on a Portland startup called Kanchil for a bit. Mostly because they’ve posted opening to the Silicon Florist job board. It seemed pretty stealthy at the time, so I was reticent to post much about it. But now, they have a new name and some new funding. And other people are writing about it. So now I feel more comfortable encouraging you to take a look at DeepSurface.
Read MorePortland Venture Capital fund Black Founders Matter gets write up in The New York Times
While I’m extremely lucky to get the opportunity to see all kinds of amazing founders and companies here in Portland, it’s always nice when they’re recognized on a larger stage. Like today, when Marceau Michel and his venture capital fund, Black Founders Matter, were featured in The New York Times.
Read MoreBlack Founders Matter cuts first check for A Kids Book About
Speaking of new venture capital funds in Portland… Granted everything is pretty grim right now. And energy is hard to come by. Let alone optimism. So when there is a glimmer of something hopeful in the Portland startup community, that seems like something to celebrate. Like Portland’s Black Founders Matter fund making its first investment. In a Black founded Portland startup. And then that news making it into TechCrunch.
Read MoreUsing the new AngelList “rolling fund” model, a new Portland based early stage venture capital fund emerges
I can confidently say that there will never be enough accessible capital to adequately support entrepreneurs. So we’ll always have that to complain about. But that’s also a massive opportunity. Because there is also plenty of room for new players — and new models — to emerge. And another one just did. From Sahil Lavingia, founder of Gumroad.
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