I don’t know if you know this but… word around the campfire is that this whole “payments” thing may be garnering a little bit of traction. So it’s nice to see that a Portland startup working on an interesting solution to the problem is gaining traction as well. Read More
With a week to go, Ultra's Violet approaches the halfway point on its Kickstarter goal
It’s no secret that Portland and the sun have an odd relationship. We love it and all. It just doesn’t show up that often. So when it does, it would be awesome to have a way of making the most of it—without overindulging. That’s the idea behind Ultra’s Violet, the first-ever wearable device that helps track your UV exposure and measure sun-generated vitamin D. Read More
Because everyone could use a little more airhorn in their lives
If there is one thing I love about Portland, it’s the fact that not every tech project needs to be about chasing funding or building a huge business. It doesn’t have to be about killing it or crushing it. Sometimes, we just do wacky shit. And that’s a good thing. Which brings me to Instant Rap Airhorn. Read More
Golden birthday: It's August 7 and Silicon Florist turned seven years old today
“WTF am I doing?” I often ask myself. Arrington had already long gotten out of TechCrunch at this point. And yet here I sit. Posting. Day after day. Just like I did at 2AM seven years ago. About Portland. About startups. And about what you’re doing. Read More
Startup, startup. Who's got the Portland startups? Startup PDX Challenge needs your help and PIE has new filling
Ah summer! Birds are singing. The sun is shining. People are out and about. And apparently the accelerators are pulling together a whole new crop of awesome startups from the Portland startup scene. This week, two startup reveals happened. PIE announced their current class. And the Startup PDX Challenge solicited your input on potential startups for their program—before Friday, August 8. Read More
How science, machine learning, and augmented reality can improve your beer purchases: New Relic FutureTalk with Trace Smith
Now, I’m not one to overthink my beverages, adult or otherwise. But I am willing to admit that I could likely benefit from technology in that regard. I’m just not exactly sure how. Which is why I was intrigued by what Next Glass is doing: using science to recommend beer and wine to you. Read More
Maybe they should call it TalentFestNW: TechFestNW holds inaugural Talent Fair
Ask most startups around town about the challenges they’re experiencing and I can pretty much guarantee “finding talent” will be somewhere in the top 3. These days, it’s usually problem number one. And that’s why TechFestNW is working to help. By hosting a Talent Fair that helps Portland companies connect with local talent. Read More
It's that time of year again: TechFestNW means Portland TechCrawl 2014
It’s beginning to border on a tradition now. For the past three years—in conjunction with TechFestNW—the folks at CrowdCompass have helped organize a progressive party among the Portland tech startup scene. They call it TechCrawl. And it’s time for the 2014 version. Read More
A 3D printed titanium bicycle complete with its own app: Portland vies for urban biking technology dominance
Wait what? While it’s perfectly logical—and practically obvious—that if someone were to build a 3D printed titanium bike with a bunch of awesome tech and an accompanying mobile app, then that someone would be in Portland. Because Portland. But what if that bike were up against other cities with equally awesome ideas? Read More
Not so terrible twos: Simple marks two year anniversary of banking service
They grow up so fast. It seems like just a few months ago that we were all patiently waiting to be allowed behind the velvet rope that was a new kind of banking experience. Now Simple has been providing that service for two years—and now they’re letting everyone in. Read More