I love watching startups pitch, probably because I love pitching. To me, seeing someone articulate their vision and product is nothing short of inspiring. But having been a judge for various university competitions like Hult Prize’s Accelerator and University College London amongst others, I have to share some of the biggest pet peeves I have seen from the judging table.
Read More
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 a million times: PitchBlack is the best pitch event in Portland. So many amazing founders. And so many amazing pitches. This year was the most competitive of all, With 12 folks standing up and pitching their hearts out. But when the crowd’s votes were counted, one effort stood out as the clear winner: The Fab Lab with Crazy Aunt Lindsey.
Okay okay. So I know that’s a bit of a stretch. The solar eclipse isn’t going to make it pitch black around here. But I’m never one to shy away from the opportunity for a punny headline. Plus, I promised that I would start giving you more of a heads up about awesome events around town. So there’s that, too.
There was a time in the Portland startup community, not so long ago, when we had any number of interesting events that brought the whole community together. Granted, we were a much smaller community then. But those opportunities to gather were meaningful—even beyond the event itself—and formed the connective tissue that made our community, well, a community. Read More
[Editor: Getting the attention of the press can be difficult. For anyone. When you’re a startup, it’s even more difficult. And bloggers? They’re nearly impossible. I mean, look at me? I’m a train wreck. But Sean Blanda can help. Here are some tips and tricks for getting your story out there.] Read More
You know me. I’m always a huge fan of borrowing ideas from other startup communities. But I’m especially fond of Portland borrowing from Boulder. Because they’ve done an amazing job of embracing the startup scene while retaining their own unique culture. Read More
Two great events in Portland tonight, which makes it tough to decide where to be when. But hey, good problem to have, right? Right.
So choose now. Are you headed to Mobile Portland or to Pitch Club tonight? Read More
C’mon. You know it’s true. Your pitch isn’t as good as it could be.
And why is that? No. Nope. No, sorry. The truth is your pitch is weak because you don’t practice it enough. You know it. I know it. And everyone who hears your pitch knows it. Read More
