Portland startups, open source, and tech news, jobs, and events #pdx
For all of the multitude of negatives that have come along with being submerged in a global pandemic, there are a few bright spots, here and there. Like the creativity inspired by the constraints of our current lives. We’re seeing any number of new platforms and companies coming into being. And some of those are appearing locally. Like Tours in The Wild.
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It’s always nice to see Portland companies getting the recognition they deserve. Especially when that recognition happens on a global stage. And that’s why it was great to see Portland startup The Wild in the running for the 2020 Auggie Awards.
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While we’ve all been geeking out about VR for a while now, it’s not always easy to understand the practical and needed applications of that technology. Until we see them. And then we’re like “Ohhhhhhh. Yeah. That makes sense.” Like the work Portland startup The Wild did with adidas and the HTC Vive.
If you’ve talked to me about markets that have a lot of potential in Portland, we’ve no doubt discussed reality of some flavor or another. Virtual, Augmented, Immersive, Experiential… whatever you want to call it, folks in Portland have been exploring creating content with those technologies for years. And now, XR is inspiring a new crop of products in town that enable folks to create that content more easily.
Looks like we have another acquisition to talk about today. Portland startup Provata Health has been acquired by StayWell, a division of healthcare giant Merck.
We love our shiny new tech around these parts. Even if it’s not quite ready for mass consumption. That’s why I was excited to see that Portland’s Torch 3D was accepting applications for an early sneak peek at its virtual/augmented/mixed reality editing environment.
We’ve been salivating, virtually, at the potential for alternative realities—be they virtual, augmented, or mixed—for years now. But for all of that anticipation, there has been little to show. Part of this is due to the newness of the platforms and hardware and the challenge of creating palpable experiences in those environments. That’s why it’s nice to see things like Prism from Portland’s Object Theory which truly begin to demonstrate the potential of the medium.
It’s no secret that Portland likes its shiny new technology. We’re among the earliest of adopters and the most curious of hobbyists with all sorts of newfangled stuff. And that means that once a technology enters the popular lexicon, we tend to be fairly well phrased in its applications and potential. So when it comes to technology like Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Artificial Intelligence, folks in Portland have a great deal to say. And they’ll be doing exactly that during the next Portland Business Journal Power Breakfast.
It’s no secret that the Portland startup community has more than its fair share of virtual reality and augmented reality activity. But it’s only going to be a truly interesting, compelling, and vibrant with a variety of voices and experiences. That’s why it’s awesome to see folks like Kerri Lynne Thorp who are working to ensure that everyone feels welcome in this burgeoning community.
As we all know, when you’re in a startup, money is tight. But every little bit of exposure has the potential of completely changing the course of your company. How do you reconcile the two? You take advantage of discounts, scholarships, and grants. Like this one that Business Oregon is offering up to help fund a trip to London for VR/AR folks.