I know. You’re not sure it’s a good idea. Or it is a good idea and you’re not quite sure where to start. But that’s why we have things like the Idea-to-Business Lab.
Read MoreREMINDER: Idea-to-Business Lab 2023 applications are due today
Tag: Startup
Continuing the conversation about the Portland startup community
Last week, I took the opportunity to sit down and share some thoughts — and concerns — about the Portland startup community that had been rattling around in my head. Even questioning, to some extent, whether it this iteration even behaves as a “community.” I’m always heartened when these sorts of posts (okay, rants) spark more conversation. And that’s exactly what’s occurring over on the Portland Startups Slack.
Read MoreWTF is wrong with the Portland startup community?
I get one question, consistently. The same question that I get asked — time and time again — exponentially more than any other question. It doesn’t matter if it’s someone who was born and raised in Portland or if it’s someone who just moved here. It doesn’t matter if they are super well connected or don’t know anyone. It doesn’t matter if they’re employed at a major corporation or if they’re out starting their own thing. And it’s one of those questions that seems to confound practically every single person who has an interest in entrepreneurship or startups around here. And that question stuck on incessant repeat is this: How do I get connected with other people in the Portland startup community…?
Read MoreBold Reuse and Rapta selected as alternates for 2023 SXSW Pitch competition
It’s always nice to see local companies popping up in international competitions. And while no one from the area managed to make the main stage as of this writing, two local startups have been selected as alternates for the 2023 SXSW Pitch competition: Bold Reuse and Rapta.
Read MoreGetting that itch to pitch? Well if you’re on the Westside, you’re in luck
Thankful that Malia Spencer reminded me about the upcoming Westside Pitch competition for local startups. Which is still a ways off. But applications are due soon. Like the end of the month soon. Should you be interested? Are you eligible to even apply?
Read MoreCat got your… startup? Bend’s Shape.io acquired by NinjaCat
While it wasn’t a key part of my coverage area when I started this blog, these days I try to make it a regular habit of paying attention to Bend, Oregon. Because it seems more often than not, there are as many interesting startup stories coming out of Central Oregon as the metro region, as of late. Like this one: Bend’s Shape, an advertising management platform, has been acquired by digital marketing management company NinjaCat.
Read MorePortland startup Caravel acquired by community management solution Commsor
Part of the ebb and flow of the Portland startup community — or any startup community for that matter — is a regular cadence of companies being founded, funded, and acquired. We’ve seen a great deal of the founding and funding over the past few years. And now, there’s another acquisition in our midst. PIE and Techstars Seattle alum Caravel has been acquired by Commsor.
Read MorePortland startup Workfrom launches Virtual Cafes on Product Hunt
The pandemic has inspired any number of new features and products — and sometimes whole new companies. One of those pivots hit really close to home as a hometown favorite for finding and researching alternative workspaces, Workfrom, suddenly had an entire user base working from home. But from that pain came inspiration. In the form of Virtual Cafes.
Read MoreAn exceedingly appropriate time for a Kermit gif: A Kids Company About partners with The Jim Henson Company
Portland media startup A Kids Company About started with books. And then expanded into podcasts and educational content. Heck, they’ve even done stuff with LeVar Burton. Now, they’re partnering with one of the biggest names in youth entertainment to produce TV shows about the same types of tough issues they’ve tackled in other media.
Read MoreConductorOne closes $15 million Series A
For all the news of economic downturns, founders are still out there, building businesses. And investors are still taking risks on those ventures. Because a downturn is often the best time to build the next great business. So it comes as little surprise that Portland startup ConductorOne announced its $15 million Series A.
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