Portland startup and tech news, jobs, and events #pdx
When I first started this blog—way back in the dark ages of this current generation of Portland startups—it seemed that time and time again the prevailing wisdom was “move to the Valley.” And that left a bit of a mark on me. So I can’t help but be lifted every time someone provides a counter argument to that thinking, especially when it has an eye toward the future. Like this TechCrunch piece by Eugene’s Pat McCarthy. Read More
Portland’s culture of curiosity had us among the early adopters of the whole “quantified self” thing. But for whatever reason—even though we’ve got a ton of apparel companies in town—that never translated into much in the way of wearable technology. But that doesn’t stop us from wearing those devices. Apple Watches, Fuel Bands, Ups, Fitbits, Misfits. You see them everywhere in the startup community. But what are they doing for us? Read More
A few years back, I would have a hard time even fathoming that Portland would even appear on a list of startup cities. So let’s just start there. It’s awesome to see Portland listed among the top 25 startup cities pursuing “Innovation that Matters.” But now that we’re on there… c’mon Portland. We can do better than this. Read More
If there’s one word that I hear everyone use to describe Portland, it’s “welcoming.” Almost, at times, to a fault. But here’s an opportunity to use that collegial hospitality in the best possible way: to welcome a bunch of folks to our awesome town who you know full well are leaving in a couple of hours. Because they’re on the StartupBus. Read More
Back in the old days of Silicon Florist, I used to highlight other blog posts that were awesome. Mostly, because a lot more people used to blog back then. And I am lazy. Well, guess what? Even though fewer people seem to be doing the blogging thing like they used, I am still categorically lazy. Plus this piece by Oscar Godson was great. So I’m sharing it. Read More
What if you turned the world of robots upside-down? No. I don’t mean like making a T-800-esque Schwarzenegger stand on his head. (Although that’s a good idea, too.) I mean, what if, instead of building armies of autonomous beings who do nothing but serve our every whim, we instead built robots who needed us. Like a lot. That’s what Wieden+Kennedy’s creative technologists at W+K Lodge have done with Needybot. Read More
We’ve all been there. You’ve had this moment of inspiration. You’ve chased that inspiration from concept to prototype. Now, you’ve got a working example of your vision. And all you need is just a little capital to take it to the next level. Well, that’s exactly where the Beaverton School District finds themselves with their #FutureBus project, a mobile maker space that encourages kids to make stuff and break stuff. But this time, you get to play the role of investor. Read More
One of the things I love most about Portland is its culture of curiosity. We want to try the new stuff. To take risks with early technology. And to figure out how we can make use of the latest and greatest. It’s what keeps our tech community at the creative edge. So it’s highly likely that a number are well phrased in the concept of unikernels. Read More
In case you haven’t heard, Intel is in the midst of reducing its global workforce. It’s a change that affects thousands of employees worldwide. And given that the Portland area is home to more Intel folks than anywhere on earth, it’s going to have significant impact here locally, as well. Like to the tune of nearly 800 people in the Portland area losing their jobs. Read More
There are few things I enjoy and appreciate more than people who figure out how to make a living doing what they love to do. That’s what’s so appealing about indie game developers. And that’s what’s equally appealing about the scrappy Portland organization that supports them, PIGSquad, Portland Indie Game Squad. But making ends meet for an organization can be challenging. And that’s why PIGSquad has taken to Patreon to raise funds. Read More
