Portland startups, open source, and tech news, jobs, and events #pdx
After 10 years, I’m doubling down on my efforts to help make the Portland startup community even better and more awesome than it already is. But let’s be honest. I’m not really the most creative person. So rather than me try to guess what all of the problems or opportunities with our community are, I thought it would be wise to get your input and insights. And so did Built Oregon and PIE.
You know me, I’m always a fan of people who stop talking about doing something and actually start doing something. Even if other folks have tried to do that something before. So when a group of folks approached me with the idea of creating an online resource for startups in our community, what did I say?
Being a startup founder is difficult. Really really difficult. So I’m always happy when our community takes the opportunity to help founders. And I’m even happier when they ask those founders what they need. Instead of assuming they have the answers. That’s why I’m excited to see Oregon BEST asking startups founders—all Oregon startup founders—what kind of support they need. Read More
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
I get asked a few times a week how people can learn to program. I felt like if more people shared their stories it might help people to understand how many different ways people teach themselves to work with code. Read More
Everyday there are new awesome things happening in Portland. Things that matter to people in Portland. Things that change and form the very core of what Portland is. But how can anyone keep track of all this amazing information about our fair city?
Well, that’s why we have PortlandWiki. Read More
I know, I know. You’re already halfway to your Halloween costume and candy coma. But I was wondering if I might take just a few seconds of your time before you build up another pile of fun size wrappers on your desk?
The Portland Development Commission’s last survey to get a pulse on the Portland software community’s needs closes today. That’s right. Today. So take your sugar-infused self on over to the survey and answer a few questions. Read More
Remember a few months back when you took that Portland Development Commission (PDC) survey about the state of the Portland software market? Remember the kerfuffle—albeit a justified one—that took place immediately following the release of the results?
Well, as planned, the PDC has released the next instantiation of the survey, designed to dive deeper into some of the questions and to keep the conversation with the software community going. Oh, yeah, you saw where I was going, didn’t you? Yeah. Well. Would you? Would you please take a moment to respond to the PDC software survey? Read More
So now the town hall discussion will be held this Wednesday, May 26, beginning at 4:30 PM at Wieden + Kennedy (who was kind enough to offer up the space given that the PDC was booked).
As you may know, the Portland Development Commission (PDC) is currently engaged in a project designed to help them assess and better understand the state and size of the software industry in Portland. To this end, they have engaged the community in an initial survey and they have plans for at least two others.
Originally, the PDC wanted to discuss these results with the community last week. But when several parties mentioned that it conflicted with WebVisions, PDC took that feedback to heart and rescheduled. So now the town hall discussion will be held this Wednesday, May 26, beginning at 4:30 PM at Wieden + Kennedy (who was kind enough to offer up the space given that the PDC was booked). Read More
Because there has been no measurement of that group. Until now. The Portland software community census is designed to take a stab at coming up with that magic number.
When I talk about the Portland software development and open source scenes, one of the first questions I always get—always—is “Sounds interesting. About how many people in Portland are involved in the software community there?”
And inevitably, as that question hangs in the air, I stare blankly. Smile feebly. And say, “A lot. There are a lot.” Because fact of the matter is: we have no idea. Maybe there are 50,000. Maybe there are 200. There’s no telling. Because there has been no measurement of that group. Until now. The Portland software community census is designed to take a stab at coming up with that magic number. Read More