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

Last year, one of the most significant exits in Portland startup history took place. Jama Software was acquired for $1.2 billion. That exit garnered a lot of coverage around here. But it also drew attention from around the country. And as such, it’s up for the 2025 GeekWire Awards as the “Deal of the Year.” Want to see it win…? Cast your vote.

I always love startups that come from a pain point that the founders experienced firsthand. Like the inspiration for Disputed.ai, a Portland startup that leverages AI to help folks manage the disputed charge problem. Turns out I’m not the only one. Disputed.ai just raised $1.1 million.

[Editor: This is a guest post from Cami Kaos, who served as the host of the “Where are they now…?” event.]

Whenever folks express concern to me about the current state of Portland, I make sure to hear them out and quell those concerns as best I can. But I also try to help them realize that Portland wasn’t always a bright and shiny, New York Times Food section loved, sketch comedy inspiring place. Far from it. For what it was like when I moved to Portland, I often encourage folks to watch Drugstore Cowboy. Or My Own Private Idaho. Because it was pretty gritty back in those days.

Sometimes, the best way for folks to learn is learning from their peers — or at least getting inspired by what their peers are doing. That’s what’s so great about Oregon Venture Fund’s recurring “PDX AI Demo Night” events. Instead of pitch competitions pitting founders against one another, this demo session focuses on highlighting all of the amazing companies that are being built in our midst.

Last week, you heard — or maybe experienced — a brand new offering from Pitch Black, Pitch Black Food, where the dessert round team, Let ’em Cook walked away with the win. But that wasn’t the only new thing for Pitch Black in February. They launched a new identity system, the got a whole new website and URL, and they launched their podcast, as well. Plus, they added a space between “Pitch” and “Black.”