Tag Archives: Central Oregon networking event

2021 BVC Company Applications Now Open

BVC 2020 Winners

THE BEND VENTURE CONFERENCE RETURNS OCTOBER 21-22, 2021
COMPANY APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW THRU AUGUST 13TH

BEND, OR (July 8, 2021) – Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) will again host the annual Bend Venture Conference (BVC) on Thursday, October 21 – Friday, October 22, 2021, in downtown Bend and virtually online. Ticketing, speaker announcements and event details for the 18th Annual Bend Venture Conference will be announced in the coming months.

Over the past five years, investments, awards and prizes surpassing $10 million were awarded to 40 companies as a result of the conference. BVC is a yearly celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation, connecting investors, companies and business leaders.

APPLY

This year’s conference will feature three competition categories: Growth Stage, Impact and Early Stage. The application period is open now through Friday, August 13th and companies across the United States are invited to apply.

  • Growth Stage Competition: This category is open to companies that have a proven concept, have generated initial revenues and are prepared to scale quickly with investment. To apply, click here.
  • Impact Competition: This category is open to for-profit companies, whose business models are integrated with a mission to have a significant and measurable social or environmental impact. Applicants should be aiming to generate long-term enterprise value and attractive returns on capital. To apply, click here.
  • Early Stage Competition: This category is open to companies that have a great idea and are close to “proof of concept.” They are pre-revenue (or very early-revenue) and are in the process of testing their product in the market. To apply, click here.

Growth Stage Competition finalists could collect an investment of $250,000 or more. Companies in the Impact Competition have historically competed for investments ranging from $50,000-$100,000. Companies in the Early Stage competition could receive and investment of $25,000 or more. This year’s  BVC will feature impressive speakers from across the country representing angel investors, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs.

About Bend Venture Conference (BVC)

Now in its 18th year, BVC, hosted by EDCO, is one of the largest angel conferences in the country. Over the past five years, more than $10 million has been invested in 40 companies as a result of the conference. This year’s conference will take place on October 21-22, 2021, gathering entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders. bendvc.com

About Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO)

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. edcoinfo.com

April 2021 PubTalk: Kara Buckley and the World of Sports

PubTalk Keynote speaker

April 2021 PubTalk Keynote Speaker: Kara Buckley

United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee | Oregon Sports Angels

Sports at the Intersection of Impact and Innovation

Relive the keynote speech from the April 2021 Central Oregon PubTalk, as Kara Buckley talks about the intersection of impact and innovation in the world of sports. Including her involvement with the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee and Oregon Sports Angles.

Check out the full event to hear pitches and updates from local companies and start-ups. Click here to see pitching company Zipcan, company updates from Bend Soap Company and Riff, and of course our keynote Kara Buckley.

About Kara

Throughout Kara’s career, she has worked across the highest levels of sports. Including the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, FIFA World Cup, League of Legends, Special Olympics, and UEFA Champions League.

With LA28 (the home of the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games) and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Team, she built and launched the first-of-it’s-kind Athlete Marketing Platform. While working at Visa, she pioneered Visa’s Rio 2016 “Acceptance” campaign by supporting ten athletes competing on the Refugee Olympic Team.

PubTalk Company lineup 

PubTalk keynote and pitching company

Pitching Company: Zipcan

CEO Fritz Brumder | CPO Spenser Lea

Realize the full power of video collaboration for your brand beyond hosting meetings. Zipcan provides the ability to add video chat capabilities to your website or application in just a few seconds. Just embed a code snippet and unlock a 2-way video experience within your platform. With Zipcan you can create new products, engage customers and connect your community.

PubTalk keynote and update company Riff

Company Update: Riff

CEO Paul Evers

Riff is a purpose-driven coffee company on a mission to explore and celebrate 100% of the coffee plant’s agricultural value. They are passionate about building a purpose-led company that creates widely desired, good for you and good for the planet beverages. The brand launched their first line of ready-to-drink cold-brewed coffees in 2018 and quickly garnered many awards and accolades.

PubTalk keynote and update companyBend Soap Company

Company Update: Bend Soap Company

Founder & Owner Dwight Johnson

Created 10 years ago out of Dwight and Marilee Johnson’s mission to find safe, natural, and nourishing products to help soothe their son’s eczema, Bend Soap Company is a family-run company dedicated to creating toxin-free goat milk soap. Today, their all-natural skincare products have helped thousands of families enjoy healthy skin with nourishing and wholesome ingredients at an affordable price

About PubTalk

EDCO’s Central Oregon PubTalk, held the fourth Thursday of the month, is a happy hour aimed at bringing together different facets of the business community in one place to network, share ideas, and further local businesses.

March 2021 PubTalk: Randy Adams and Failure

PubTalk Keynote speaker

March 2021 PubTalk Keynote Speaker: Randy Adams

 Managing Partner, C-Level Solutions | Strategic Advisor

Three Failures of a Serial Entrepreneur

Experience the March 2021 Central Oregon PubTalk keynote speech given by, Randy Adams. Randy dives into his own experiences as a serial entrepreneur and the three failures to avoid.

Check out the full event to hear pitches and updates from local companies and start-ups. Click here to see pitching company Boundless, an update from Josie’s Best Gluten Free Mixes, and of course our keynote Randy Adams.

March PubTalk Keynote Randy Adams

About Randy

Randy Adams has a vast background of knowledge, having been a serial entrepreneur for over 35 years. He’s founded nine venture-backed technology companies including autonomous vehicle insurance, digital avatars, software-publishing, IT, e-commerce, and two celebrity-based digital media companies (ever heard of Will Ferrell or Marlon Wayans?). He’s published more than 30 consumer software applications that have collectively sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. Raised more than $100M in venture capital. Had five successful start-up exits return more than $1B to investors…and the list goes on.

He is credited with raising the initial funds for Yahoo, creating the first desktop publishing app for the PC, managing the team that created PDF and Acrobat, and creating the first e-commerce site on the web. Currently, he runs C-Level Solutions, providing consulting services for early-stage companies.

PubTalk Company lineup 

PubTalk Pitching Company Boundless

Pitching Company: Boundless

Co-Founder Ian Gregg

Flying on commercial airlines can be inefficient, unpredictable and exhausting. Boundless was created to raise your transportation expectations by defining a new category of travel: personal aviation. They aim to make your final travel destination more accessible for both pilots and passengers. Think of it as a charter solution for the environmentally and cost-conscious individual. Boundless is empowering people to move seamlessly between home, work and play with an elevated mobility solution.

PubTalk Company Update Josie's Best

Company Update: Josie’s Best Gluten Free Mixes

Founder & CEO Josie Johnson

Some of Founder & CEO Josie Johnson’s main passions are cooking and baking. But when allergies led her to go gluten-free, Josie’s Best was born. Josie’s Best produces gluten-free and allergen-free baking mixes from Sisters, Oregon. Recently, they were featured on Good Morning America, further spreading the word of their delicious mixes.

About PubTalk

EDCO’s Central Oregon PubTalk, held the fourth Thursday of the month, is a happy hour aimed at bringing together different facets of the business community in one place to network, share ideas, and further local businesses.