Portland startups, open source, and tech news, jobs, and events #pdx
While stories of Portland and Oregon startups landing funding are becoming more and more common these days, there are still any number of local startups who are still looking for ways to break into the realm of venture funding.
And one of the best ways to make those connections with local investors? Getting in front of the crowd at OEN Venture Northwest. Read More
Vying for cash is always a competition. But sometimes it’s actually a competition. I mean, like an event. Like the Bend Venture Conference. And like the annual Oregon Entrepreneur Network (OEN) Venture Northwest event.
Today, Venture Northwest revealed the speakers for this year. And of the 10 companies chosen to present, six fall into the realm of stuff Silicon Florist would usually cover. And I want one of them to win. So I’m only telling you about those six. Read More
Now, Venture Northwest isn’t a tech-centric thing. It’s a startup thing. But there were some interesting tech companies that pitched. So I thought I’d recap for you. Or more appropriately, steal borrow my own recaps from the Venture Northwest guest posts I submitted to TechFlash.
I had the opportunity to attend Venture Northwest, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network‘s annual pitch day for early stage startups. You know, kind of like a DEMO or a TechCrunch 50. No cash prizes. But a great deal of opportunity to score some cash, given that the folks at Venture Northwest have the opportunity to pitch their ideas in front of a roomful of potential investors from throughout the angel and venture capital communities.
Now, Venture Northwest isn’t a tech-centric thing. It’s a startup thing. But there were some interesting tech companies that pitched. So I thought I’d recap for you. Or more appropriately, steal borrow my own recaps from the Venture Northwest guest posts I submitted to TechFlash. Read More
For a special Halloween episode of memePDX, join the disembodied heads of Cami and as we cover OSCON’s back in Portland, Venture Northwest, Cort & Fatboy, Building a Better Journalist, Technorati’s state of the blogosphere, and Whitehouse.gov on Drupal.
Happy Thursday! it’s time for another episode of memePDX, where Cami Kaos and I cover the hottest tech stories in Portland and beyond.
For a special Halloween episode of memePDX, join the disembodied heads of Cami and as we cover OSCON’s back in Portland, Venture Northwest, Cort & Fatboy, Building a Better Journalist, Technorati’s state of the blogosphere, and Whitehouse.gov on Drupal.
But that’s not all. Cami also reveals a secret project underway. Read More
Northwest Innovation and Paid Content unwrapping gifts a little early by reporting that the Giftango had secured $1.4 million of a potential $2.1 million first round.
Sometimes, you get to open gifts before the big day. Such is the case with Portland-based Giftango who—as they prepare to take the stage at Venture Northwest on Thursday—had Northwest Innovation and Paid Content unwrapping gifts a little early by reporting that the Giftango had secured $1.4 million of a potential $2.1 million first round.
That’s a respectable chunk of change for a Portland-area startup—especially one that might not be on our respective RADARs.
So what do they do? Read More
For more information, visit Venture Northwest. Or, if you’re sold and want to attend, make the choice as to whether you’re attending in person for $495 or following along by the warm glow of your laptop with Venture Northwest Live for $250.
Venture Northwest is one of the premier opportunities for Silicon Forest startups to pitch their ideas in front of a room of would-be investors. Arguably, there’s no better regional event around here for gaining access to that type of crowd. It’s like DEMO or the TechCrunch 50 for the Pacific Northwest. For as good as the event is, however, it’s always suffered from one particular problem: you had to actually be there.
But now, thanks to the magic of streaming media and the wonderful world of the Web, anyone, anywhere can attend Venture Northwest virtually. Introducing Venture Northwest Live. Read More
Ah, fall in Portland. Time for the leaves to change, the nights to get a little more chilly, and the startups to pitch potential investors for the capital that will help those entrepreneurs make it through the dark and rainy months.
And there’s no better place to pitch a room full of potential shareholders than Venture Northwest, the annual gathering of institutional investors, investment bankers, and some of the most promising startups in the Pacific Northwest. Read More
It happened again, didn’t it? I know, I know. You were planning to do it. But you kept hitting snooze on the task. And then when you finally had a second to consider it, you realized that the deadline for applying for OEN Venture Northwest had passed. So sad. And you had “smart investment” written all over you.
Well, turn that frown upside down, my friend. You’re in luck. You’ve been granted an extension. That’s right. The deadline is now September 8. So get working on that Venture Northwest application. I mean, you weren’t planning to do anything this weekend anyway, right? Read More
For many entrepreneurs, convincing a venture capital group to fund their business is a dream come true. Not only do they gain capital, but they also get some validation that—contrary to what their families have been telling them—they may not be crazy.
But making those connections—even before the funding comes into the picture—can be difficult. Very difficult. That’s why there are any number of events that work to play matchmaker between startups and people looking to fund startups. And one of the most respected events for making those connections around here? That would be OEN Venture Northwest. And if you act fast, you could be one of the companies being introduced to those investors. Read More
My favorite thing about entrepreneurs? They’re scrappy.
So today, it came as a pleasant surprise that—even in light of the not-so-hot economic environment—our plucky local organization of entrepreneurs, the Oregon Entrepreneur Network (OEN), has chosen to unveil the presenters for the upcoming Venture Northwest 2008.
“The companies presenting at the conference represent some of the most innovative and creative companies from across the Northwest,” said John Hull, chair of the OEN Venture Northwest 2008 and managing director at OVP Venture Partners. “Some of these companies are seeking their first institutional venture financing while others have already received first rounds of capital from top-tier venture firms. In total, this list of companies represents well the broad spectrum of investment opportunities that flourish in our region”
Not only that, but I’m happy to report that there are some Web startups—and at least one open-source-focused company—on the list.
And four out of 14 isn’t bad.
So which of the Silicon Florist crowd got a nod to present?
Interested in who else is presenting? The Oregonian‘s Mike Rogoway has a complete list of the 14 Venture Northwest presenters with links.
OEN’s Venture Northwest is the premier forum for new and emerging investment opportunities in exciting companies from Oregon, Washington, and throughout the Pacific Northwest. This annual conference draws institutional investors and investment bankers from across the western US who are interested in the emerging companies that the Northwest has to offer. Companies that have presented at Venture Oregon have raised over $1.3 billion in venture capital since 1996 and over $68 million in angel investment.
For more information, visit OEN’s Venture Northwest.