Oregon Venture Fund

A BIG thank you to all who attended our annual "The Funded" gathering last week. Our invite-only event brings together funded CEOs, founders and executives (whether funded by OVF or others), and experts to build meaningful connections, collaborate, educate and inspire. The Funded is a forum for CEOs to connect and hone their collective craft by learning from and sharing experiences with CEO peers. Our goal is to ensure every venture-backed CEO in Oregon knows one another on a first name basis. Thank you to Dan Quiggle and the Flow Research Collective who taught us about the achievements possible by just harnessing the power of flow state. The Flow Research team uses neuroscience based training to help folks accomplish more, in less time, with greater ease. Anything is possible! Thanks also to the numerous attendees who made it engaging, fun and incredibly rewarding. Including: Jessica Murrey from Wicked Saints Studios, Greg Davis from Bigleaf Networks, John Ewert from Eclypsium, Inc., Steve Giannini, Sam Kolbert-Hyle from Brandlive, Kat McCormick, PhD from InVivo Biosystems, Colin Nederkoorn from Customer.io, Nick Poggi ✈️ from TrovaTrip, Nicole Schmidt from Source, Ryan Comingdeer from Platformr, Justin Rigling, Wylie Robinson from Rumpl, Jared Schwartz from Honey Mama's, Ross Gray from Cloud Campaign, Allie Persitz (Magyar), Andrew Grenville, Gabe Paez, Monica Enand, Eric Breon, George DeCarlo, Jim Gochee, Rasik Parikh from Madrona - just to name a few. Thanks to all for joining and engaging. Big thanks to Silicon Valley Bank's Kyle Swan and Bruce Helberg for co-sponsoring!

Calling all entrepreneurs. Join us for a dynamic evening on Oct 29 where you can pitch your idea in just two minutes! Register here: https://lu.ma/slycvjk3. [Note: registration for pitching closes on Oct 15] Whether you're an aspiring founder, a startup enthusiast, or simply curious, this is the perfect opportunity to hear innovative ideas from the next wave of entrepreneurs. Interested in pitching? Select the Presenter / Pitching ticket & provide your deck by October 15th using the instructions provided in the ticket to be considered. Not ready to pitch but want to be inspired? We'd love to have you join us. Secure your spot by selecting the Observer ticket. Register here: https://lu.ma/slycvjk3 [Note: registration space is limited] Deepthi Madhava Jon Maroney Eric Rosenfeld Lynn Fletcher Silicon Valley Bank Gloria Zabel Melissa (Durham) Freeman Mary Geyer Alline K. Matt Compton Bruce Helberg Nick Wolfe Kyle Swan #oregoninnovations #fastpitch

Entrepreneurship looks a little different depending on where you live, what resources surround you and the problem you are trying to solve. This week introduced me to great people in Oregon who are doing what they love, making a difference AND trying to scale a business (or two). From Pendleton to Portland to Sisters this week, here are a few highlights: Check out the Oregon UAS Accelerator in Pendleton, led by Joseph Wyno (especially fun during the Roundup--thank you Cara Turano!); locally designed clothes by Erica Lurie at Garnish in the Pearl with Oregon Venture Fund friends; while driving, try Bob's Red Mill bars led by the inspirational CEO, Trey Winthrop; get creative about rural economies at Pine Meadow Ranch, a project of Roundhouse Foundation; and swing downtown on Friday to join hundreds (let's make it thousands!) of volunteers who want a cleaner Portland and are making it happen through Founder, Frank Moscow's AdoptOneBlock and Ryan Buchanan (Thesis)'s #webelieveinportland! The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in our rural and urban communities, folks. Let's keep it up!

Such a great discussion with OVF Venture Partners Scott Roth and Ryan Buchanan (Thesis) on how this is a great time to lean in to Portland. We agree! Your chance to lean in is fast approaching - join us this coming Friday (9/13) for the next We Believe In Portland gathering! We'll be there for an afternoon of cleaning up our beloved city alongside Frank Moscow, the AdoptOneBlock team and 1000s of other Portlanders. Sign up below. Hope to see you there! Plus, the after party is sure to be a beautiful sight since it will be at LegitScript's new offices on the 27th floor of Big Pink. Eric Rosenfeld Lynn Fletcher Jon Maroney Deepthi Madhava Alline K. Matt Compton Melissa (Durham) Freeman Mary Geyer Gloria Zabel #webeliveinportland #portlandoregon

Check out this great Entrepreneur Magazine profile of how Kim Malek and the Salt & Straw team are making a difference in the community. So proud to have Kim and Salt & Straw as part of our portfolio family! Tyler Malek Eric Rosenfeld Lynn Fletcher Matt Compton Alline K. Melissa (Durham) Freeman Gloria Zabel Deepthi Madhava Jon Maroney Mary Geyer Jenny Cassel #ourportfoliocompaniesrock #makingadifference #venturebacked

Our latest newsletter is ready for you! In this month's edition you'll find an enlightening Rosenfeld Rumination: Should I Stay or Should I Go Now? Where OVF co-founder Eric Rosenfeld discusses when it's time to hold vs. sell. You'll also find insights from our annual talent workshop with the knowledgeable and talented Susy Dunn. We also share some updates on portfolio companies including updates from Bigleaf Networks' Greg Davis, WILDFANG's new line inspired by the incomparable Debbie Harry (aka Blondie) and how Wayfinder (Patrick Cook-Deegan) is making a difference for our students. There are also links for some impactful, available roles if you or someone you know is looking for the next gig. Our August newsletter can be found here: https://conta.cc/3Xho19Q If you're one of the literal 1000s who have signed up to receive our newsletter directly, it was delivered to your inbox last week. If you're not already receiving our monthly newsletter directly, never fear - you too can be one of the first to learn more about what's happening in PNW venture capital and/or the impact our portfolio companies are making - just sign up to receive our newsletter at: https://lnkd.in/gKUbhXwj Our newsletters are packed with thought leadership and updates but we promise to always keep it short and easy to digest. Take a look and let us know what you think. Alline K. Matt Compton Lynn Fletcher Deepthi Madhava Jon Maroney Gloria Zabel Melissa (Durham) Freeman Mary Geyer #oregoninnovation #InvestingLocallyScalingGlobally #ourportfoliocompaniesrock

Ever wonder what OVF is all about? Check out our latest video from co-founder Eric Rosenfeld and learn: why OVF was founded how OVF is different what we are accomplishing who we invest in and, why it's good to be an OVF portfolio company Link to video: https://lnkd.in/d4uJZgmU Lynn Fletcher Melissa (Durham) Freeman Alline K. Gloria Zabel Jon Maroney Deepthi Madhava Matt Compton Mary Geyer #venturecapital #makingadifference #InvestingLocallyScalingGlobally

BIG Congrats to Ross Gray, Ryan Born and the Cloud Campaign team on this impressive recognition! Eric Rosenfeld Lynn Fletcher Gloria Zabel Matt Compton Alline K. Jon Maroney Deepthi Madhava Melissa (Durham) Freeman Mary Geyer #ourportfoliocompanierock #venturebacked #makingadifference

Check out this Business Insider piece on how Wayfinder's social-emotional learning program is key in building purpose, engagement and belonging for future ready students. Excited to learn that Wayfinder will be serving hundreds of thousands more students this school year. Wayfinder CEO Patrick Cook-Deegan said it best when discussing Wayfinder's partnership with educators, "we're addressing critical issues ... ensuring every student feels valued and empowered to navigate their future." Wayfinder is out there making a difference. Proud to have them as part of our portfolio family. https://lnkd.in/ghDqXwTj Alline K. Eric Rosenfeld Matt Compton Lynn Fletcher Gloria Zabel Jon Maroney Deepthi Madhava Melissa (Durham) Freeman Mary Geyer #bendoregon #ourportfoliocompaniesrock #makingadifference

Do you have questions on your BVC application? We've got you covered! Join us next Wednesday, August 7th, for a special online office hour with Brian Vierra, EDCO's Venture Catalyst. The deadline for applications is next Friday, August 9th, so don't miss this chance to refine your submission! Even if you have already submitted your application, you can still make edits in Gust based on the feedback you receive. Event: BVC Applicant Online Office Hour with Brian Vierra Date: Wednesday, August 7th Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM PST Zoom Link: https://lnkd.in/gJjy6jke (Meeting ID: 834 8951 7786 Passcode: 054761) More information and a link to the application is available at https://lnkd.in/gp2qCjfZ