Portland startups, open source, and tech news, jobs, and events #pdx
One of the most rewarding things about covering the Portland startup community is the opportunity to watch things come full circle. Sometimes, that’s extremely positive. Like watching founders start something, build something, and successfully exit something. Sometimes, it’s less positive. Like being around for both the beginning and the end of an effort, successful or otherwise.
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If your startup has been interested in the model of investing that Indie.vc has been pursuing — a model that focuses on investing in companies that are on the path to profitability — then you’ll want to make sure that you carve out some time this Saturday to apply for the next Indie.vc cohort. But you have to hurry. The application window is only open for 24 hours.
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Now, it’s no secret that I’m a fan of Indie.vc. The way they’re rethinking traditional venture capital is right in line with the way companies are built around here. And their focus on generating revenue and founders retaining control has an appeal as well. So just imagine how much more of a fan I became when I heard that someone from Portland and someone who used to live in Portland were selected to help invest some Indie.vc capital.
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It’s the prevailing myth with startups. You come up with a great idea. Pitch a few venture capitalists. Get millions of dollars in investment. Grow the company rapidly. Exit. Everybody wins. Later rinse repeat.
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In my opinion, one of the most promising threads in the Portland startup community as of late has been the whole conversation about financing startups. Because not every startup is right for an equity based investment from venture capital. And even if they are, VC brings with it some pressures that can be less than positive for many companies and founders.
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
One of the most interesting things about running Kickstarter campaigns, in my opinion, is the validation—or lack thereof—of an idea. Obviously, the funding is helpful. But the realization that other folks believe in what you’re doing and believe that you should keep doing it? That’s the real magic. And now, a new Portland indie video game, has gotten both the validation and the funding it needs. Meet XO. Read More
Portland’s indie gaming scene continues to grow and flourish, fueled in part by the wealth of game experience throughout the region. But building games as an independent can sometimes be a very solitary existence. So it’s nice to get out once in awhile. So why not hit a movie? About indie gamers. Okay. Even if you’re not a game developer you should check out GameLoading: Rise of the Indies. Read More
New Relic kicks off its new year of Future Talks with a local speaker—who has worldwide appeal. Amber Case—cofounder of Portland startup Geoloqi which was acquired by Esri in 2012—has spoken at TED and keynoted SXSW. Now, she’ll be speaking here in Portland. Read More
One of the benefits of greater access to technology is that practically anyone can build anything. One of the downsides of greater access to technology is that practically anyone can build anything. Read More