Cannabis has always been big in Oregon. Now, cannabis tech is showing it has similar potential. Like Bend startup — and definitely unicorn — Dutchie, which just raised $350 million, placing its current valuation in the $3.75 billion range.
Read MoreTag: TechCrunch
ConductorOne is the newest local player in identity management and security
For a while, I thought fintech was going to be the dominant industry in the Portland startup community. Now, I’m beginning to think that it may be identity management. And news like the reveal of new Portland startup ConductorOne only strengthens that opinion.
Read MoreLogging could be the future of Oregon startups
Okay. Not that kind of logging. The other kind. Dealing with the massive amounts of data trapped in logs in corporate environments, server farms, and the like. And that’s exactly where Portland startup Hydrolix is focused.
Read MorePortland startup IOTAS part of new Amazon Alexa for property managers program
It was only a matter of time. Like cable and wifi access before, the utility of Amazon Alexa and other voice activated products are becoming, well, a utility. And that utility is now on the verge of getting baked into the next apartment you rent.
Read MoreBlack Founders Matter cuts first check for A Kids Book About
Speaking of new venture capital funds in Portland… Granted everything is pretty grim right now. And energy is hard to come by. Let alone optimism. So when there is a glimmer of something hopeful in the Portland startup community, that seems like something to celebrate. Like Portland’s Black Founders Matter fund making its first investment. In a Black founded Portland startup. And then that news making it into TechCrunch.
Read MoreSearching for a VC that’s likely to be the first money in? This list could help
Remember a few weeks back when I mentioned that TechCrunch was compiling a list of venture capitalists that regularly wrote the first checks and led rounds for folks? Well, even if you don’t, the list is now available. It’s called The TechCrunch List. And it features nearly 400 investors, currently.
Read MoreWhich VC is most likely to be the “first money in” for your startup? The TechCrunch List aims to find out
“No one wants to be the first one in the pool” is a truism regularly bandied about the venture funded startup circles. That’s because — for companies that choose that equity based financing route — landing that first check can be the most critical component of fundraising. But which venture capital firm or Angel is truly the most likely to be that “first money in” for your company? That’s what TechCrunch is seeking to answer with The TechCrunch List.
Read MoreFour looming application deadlines for your startup: Bend Venture Conference, PIE, SXSW Pitch, and TechCrunch Disrupt SF
It’s not like you’re actively trying to procrastinate. It’s just that you’re a founder. And you’ve got a million things to do. And a bunch of fires burning. So I’m not asking you to do anything at the moment. But I did want to remind you of four rapidly approaching deadlines for programs that could be beneficial for your startup.
Regional office watch: eBay beats Q4 estimates
You’ve heard me talk about the growing prevalence of regional offices as a compelling and growing part of the Portland startup community. To date, many of these offices — which often rival or fully eclipse (Intel) full fledged Portland companies in size — have played the role of employers, event hosts, and sponsors for the community, as a whole. And that’s a trend that I hope to see continue.
Downright neighborly: TechCrunch Disrupt SF offers a discount to Oregon startups
Over the years, any number of Portland startups have taken the stage for TechCrunch Disrupts. CPUsage, Glider, and Vault, among others. (And oddly enough, two of those three got acquired.) So when TechCrunch comes knocking, looking for more Oregon startups, I’m always happy to help spread the word.