Portland startups, open source, and tech news, jobs, and events #pdx
Now that you’re all rested up from the long weekend and maybe an overindulgence in tryptophan, it’s time to make that last sprint toward the end of the year. Much of which means preparing for next year. And events. And pitches. So now would be a good time to get that application for TechfestNW PitchfestNW 2019 submitted.
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. The “P” in PDX stands for “procrastination.” And as I’m as guilty as any for that sort of behavior, I always like to give folks a few last minute nudges to get stuff done. Like applying to be part of the SXSW Pitch competition.
Getting on stage can be scary. Telling people about your startup can be scary. So it only stands to reason that applying to do both of those things would have a scary due date. Like tomorrow. That’s when you have to have your Pitch Oregon application done.
There are any number of opportunities for startups to get on stage and pitch. But it’s always more interesting when there’s a focus. Like celebrating women founders. Which is exactly what happens with Women Led and their pitch event.
People go to events for all sorts of reasons. For some, it’s a networking opportunity. For others, it’s for personal or professional development. Sometimes, it’s just because you’re hoping to get the opportunity to connect with someone who isn’t terribly accessible. But whatever the motivation, getting a ticket and to the event can often be a hardship. Luckily, PDX Women In Tech is working to lighten that burden by #InvestingInYou.
Startups have to juggle a lot. A lot. So picking their battles — or applications as it were — is an important part of deciding how they’re going to spend their time. And in my opinion, if you’re a founder who identifies as a woman, person of color, or LGBTQ, you’d be smart to spend your time applying to the Backstage Capital Accelerator. Because there isn’t a more truly and earnestly inclusive investor and accelerator, local or otherwise.
Startups, while exciting and invigorating, are also completely frustrating. So much to do. And so little help. That’s why I’m always a fan of folks who help startups out of this predicament. Like Old Friend. Who has an offering that could help alleviate at least one of those tasks.
I know you’ve been busy making stuff. But I didn’t want you to lose track of the fact that the deadline for applying to be a maker at the Portland Mini Maker Faire is rapidly approaching. Like tomorrow.
When it comes to outdoor product startups, the nexus of that activity in Oregon is the Bend Outdoor Worx accelerator and their annual pitch competition BOW BreakOut. So if you’re building an outdoor product company, you’ll want to showcase your efforts there. And here’s your chance.
While it seems like the year has just begun, in reality, the first week in April isn’t that far off. But it’s a lot farther off than Portland Startup Week has been in the past. (We’ve traditionally organized the weeklong celebration of startups during the first week in February.) So given that we’ve got more time than we’re used to, it seems like a really good opportunity to make Techstars Startup Week Portland 2018 even more awesome than ever, right? Right. So let’s get on that. Like now.