Oregon Community Foundation to Invest in the Bend Venture Conference

 

$25,000 in matching funds will boost Launch Stage winner investment. Conference begins this week, see registration information.

As part of their strategy to improve jobs and the economy in Oregon, The Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) recently announced that it will provide a $25,000 matching investment to the 2012 Bend Venture Conference (BVC) LLC, specifically for the investment fund for the Launch Stage winner. The investment was contingent on the Bend Venture Conference surpassing $100,000 in funding from individual investors.

Now in its ninth year, the Bend Venture Conference is the signature regional event for entrepreneurial activity in Central Oregon.  The annual event attracts over 350 attendees, many of whom come from beyond Central Oregon, and includes angel investors, venture capitalists, and local business and community leaders.

BVC offers two tracks; one is the Launch Stage competition for startups that are later stage and usually have revenue, and the second is the Concept Stage competition for the earliest of startups.  In 2011, the Launch Stage winner received an investment of $250,000, which conference organizers expect to meet or exceed this year. The Concept Stage winner is awarded a grant of $10,000.

“This investment in the Bend Venture Conference will promote economic health in Central Oregon,” said Melissa Durham, OCF’s Director of Strategic Projects.  “The Oregon Community Foundation commissioned a report that was released this year, identifying capital gaps in Oregon.  We noted the limited capital available for early stage companies and wanted to improve the situation.  Jim Coonan and his BVC team have a strong track record raising awareness about startups across Oregon and connecting them with capital.  We believe this investment will spur job creation in Oregon and look forward to monitoring the progress.”

“For entrepreneurs, BVC provides invaluable education, exposure and networking opportunities,” said Jim Coonan, EDCO Venture Catalyst Manager and lead organizer of the conference.  “BVC is all about the competition—not just winning—and helping scalable companies get to the next level rapidly.  We’re gratified that The Oregon Community Foundation sees value in funding grass roots efforts for entrepreneurs.”

“This year is shaping up to be a banner year for the BVC with a record number of applicants and strong ticket sales,” Coonan continued.  The bulk of the increase in applicants has come in Launch Stage companies which are double what they were last year and I am also really pleased with the quality of our finalists.”

“Last year we provided initial grant funding to launch Central Oregon’s technology accelerator, FoundersPad,” continued Durham.  “Again, we’re pleased to partner with EDCO on programs that support entrepreneurs and have the potential to bolster Oregon’s economy.”

About the Bend Venture Conference (www.bendvc.com)
Now in its ninth year, the Bend Venture Conference (BVC) is the premier regional event connecting concept and early stage companies with investment opportunities.  The annual event attracts more than 300 of the Pacific Northwest’s top investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders and is held at the historic Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon. The event encompasses pre-conference learning seminars, TechSpace Bend’s lively unConference, a pre-conference networking reception at Broken Top Club, the full day venture conference on October 19, and offers an opportunity to explore Bend’s lively hotel, restaurant and downtown scene.

About Economic Development for Central Oregon

Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is a private non-profit corporation founded over 30 years ago and dedicated to building a vibrant and thriving regional economy by attracting new investment and traded-sector jobs (manufacturing, professional, headquarters and high technology businesses) through marketing, recruitment and substantive assistance to existing companies. Learn more about EDCO at www.edcoinfo.com.  

About The Oregon Community Foundation

The mission of The Oregon Community Foundation is to improve life in Oregon and promote effective philanthropy. OCF works with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create charitable funds to support community causes. Through these funds, OCF awarded more than $86 million in grants and scholarships in 2011. OCF is a statewide organization with six regional offices. Learn more at www.oregoncf.org.