EDCO's PubTalk Returns Thursday, November 21

EDCO’S PUBTALK RETURNS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21^ST

FEATURING KIVA, LORA DICARLO, BRAINCHILD TECHNOLOGIES & LUDELA

Bend, Ore. (November 12, 2019) – Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) has announced the speakers for the next Central Oregon PubTalk at McMenamins in downtown Bend on Thursday, November 21, at 5 pm. Tickets are on sale now and available via Eventbrite here. EDCO’s Central Oregon PubTalk is a happy hour bringing together different facets of the business community to network, share ideas, and further local businesses.Keynote SpeakerKivaFinancial exclusion is a global problem: 1.7 billion adults lack access to even a basic savings account. Over the past 15 years, Kiva -- a US-based non-profit -- has worked to debunk the myth that poor people are not creditworthy by facilitating over $1.5 billion in micro-loans in 94 countries. During PubTalk, Matthew will cover Kiva's history, the systemic challenges that prevent poor people from accessing financial services, and the efforts currently underway at Kiva to leverage emerging technologies like blockchain to build an inclusive system for the future.Company PitchesLora DiCarloLora has over a decade of experience in healthcare, and after an honorable discharge from the US Navy, she enrolled in a pre-med program. A self-described “anatomy geek”, Lora became fascinated with the psychological, physiological, and anatomical aspects of the female orgasm. She left med school to design functional product specifications determined to produce the perfect orgasm, drawing on years of research and anatomical data she gathered from hundreds of women. She founded Lora DiCarlo in 2017 and began her journey towards launching new physiologically appropriate women’s health and wellness products.BrainChild TechnologiesBrainChild Technologies is creating the first tool to help parents check their babies for hearing loss with their smart pacifier platform. Hearing loss during early childhood can mean missing a critical window for language development, and yet there is a lack of accessible tools for regular screening at this important stage. BrainChild fills this gap with age-appropriate behavioral assessments of hearing, starting by measuring sucking behavior in response to sound. They aim to make hearing tests better, faster, and cheaper.LuDelaLuDela presented and won as part of the Early Stage competition during the 2018 Bend Venture Conference. They created the world’s first remote-controlled real-flame candle with auto-ignite & extinguish, timer, safety features, scent-on-demand, and an impactful social mission.Agenda5:00 pm to 6:00 pm Networking, drinks, and appetizers6:00 pm to 7:30 pm Company Presentations & KeynoteCost and Registration$26 EDCO & OEN Members (Become an EDCO Member here)$36 Non-MembersAdmission includes appetizers and a free beverage (choice of beer, wine, or soda).

About Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO)Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is a non-profit corporation supported by private and public members and stakeholders, whose mission is to create middle-class jobs in Central Oregon by: recruiting new employers to move to the region; helping entrepreneurs start new, scalable businesses; and working with businesses that are already here to grow their operations. For more information, visit www.edcoinfo.com.