Portland Oregon startups, tech, news, events, jobs, and community

Here’s a roundup of interesting startup links I came across today:

Eight Companies to Watch in 2026 — Oregon Venture Fund

Within the Oregon Venture Fund portfolio, eight stand out as rocket ships with a real chance of reaching escape velocity in 2026. Each is generating at least $10M to $150M in ARR and growing more than 40% year over year. Given their momentum and potential economic impact, they deserve to be household names, at least in the Pacific NW.

Here’s a roundup of interesting startup links I came across today:

AI Has an Image Problem

I spent 2025 going from skeptical to genuinely excited about AI tools. My non-tech friends and family spent 2025 learning to hate them. The AI industry has fumbled this introduction so badly that we’ve turned a useful set of tools into a cultural flashpoint – but the damage isn’t irreversible.

I keep saying it. Agility Robotics deserves more attention. Here’s another perspective on why: If Oregon’s 2025 VC numbers look better to you, it’s largely because of Agility, according to Mike Rogoway at The Oregonian.

Here’s a roundup of interesting startup links I came across today:

The TriMet Story

January 1969: Mayor Terry Schrunk appointed a seven-member Mass Transit Advisory Commission*, who ultimately became the foundation of TriMet’s first board of directors. On January 14, the Portland City Council passed a resolution to create the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon, called TriMet, to take over the local bus systems and provide regional transit service.

Here’s a roundup of interesting startup links I came across today:

Assessed Intelligence Networking Happy Hour · Luma

Join Assessed Intelligence for an end-of-January AI networking happy hour bringing together professionals working in artificial intelligence, data, and intelligent systems. This relaxed, after-hours gathering is designed for thoughtful conversation, new connections, and idea sharing in an informal setting. Whether you’re building, deploying, or guiding AI initiatives, we’d love to have you join us.

Here’s a roundup of interesting startup links I came across today:

The People Tracking America’s AI Data Centers

We start this week with Matthew’s story about an organization tracking the location of AI data centers around the U.S. and elsewhere in the world.