Portland startups, open source, and tech news, jobs, and events #pdx
[Editor: This is a guest post from Jared Wiener, the software industry liaison for Prosper Portland (the organization formerly known as the Portland Development Commission (PDC)). As part of his role, he has helped manage the TechTown Portland program which includes the Diversity Pledge. Here, he provides an update on the progress with that program.]
Over the past few years, the Portland Development Commission (PDC) has taken an increasingly active role in helping early stage startups through the Startup PDX Challenge. But they do more than that. They’ve helped thousands of small and medium sized business secure capital. Still, they realize that there is always room for improvement. Read More
To many folks in the startup community, the Portland Seed Fund has always been here. It’s become such a prominent part of the early stage investments in town. But it wasn’t always that way. And it took some foresight from a variety of local leaders to bet on spending when the economy was in the doldrums to make it happen. Read More
While Portland has a bunch of awesome organizations designed to incubate and accelerate startup activity, we haven’t seen a consumer brand backed accelerator on the scene for nearly three years, since the Nike+ Accelerator powered by TechStars. That’s why I’ve been monitoring the progress on the Jaguar Land Rover incubator with bated breath. And I’m happy to report, they’re continuing to gain momentum. Read More
I know, I know. You’ve got a lot on your startup plate. You’re building. You’re hustling. You’re hustling your build. And you’re building your hustle. But you’ve got to pick your head up from time to time and realize that’s a whole wide world out there placing unrealistic demands on you—perhaps even more unrealistic than those you place upon yourself. Read More
You’ve got to love it when someone puts their money where their mouth is. Mouths are? When he or she… anyway, you get the gist. That’s why I love this new program from the City of Portland and the Portland Development Commission which is designed to make it easier for Portland to adopt startup technology grown in our own backyard. It’s called the Early Adopter program. And they’ll be kicking off the effort on the morning of Tuesday, March 17, 2015. Read More
While we live in a day and age where any amount of information and content sits at our fingertips, sometimes it’s just nice to talk to someone and get to ask questions face to face. That’s why Uncorked Studios has invited the PDC to an open house on the PDC five year strategy. Read More
I know, I know. For many of us, a five minute strategic plan can seem like we’re planning too far ahead. But when it comes to economic development for a city the size of Portland, a little long term thinking can reap huge rewards. That’s why the Portland Development Commission is seeking feedback on their strategy for the next five years. Read More
I’m a firm believer that, if the Portland startup scene is to truly take its place among other leading startup epicenters, it will only come with increased diversity in our companies. We’re making slight inroads here and there. But there’s much more to be done. That’s why the Portland Development Commission is looking to gather folks to get more going. Introducing Include. Innovate. Invest. PORTLAND. Read More
In 2013, the Portland Development Commission (PDC) launched the first ever Startup PDX Challenge, an early stage competition targeting entrepreneurs in the Portland metro area and across the United States. Selected from an applicant pool of 240 companies, the six winners of the 2013 Challenge received a $10,000 working capital grant, a full year of rent-free office space in Portland’s Central Eastside Produce Row, and free professional advice and services. The startups have attracted outside investment, increased clients and sales, and hired new employees in the last six months. Read More