Hitting the $100 Million Mark in Follow-On Funding
Since launching our commercialization program in 2011, one of the key metrics we have tracked is the amount of follow-on funding secured by the dozens of companies we have helped. It's rare that our funding, plus the investor connections, pitch coaching, introductions, and other help we provide, are enough for a company to become self-sufficient. Rather, we are trying to help startups overcome technical hurdles so they are ready for private funding, or, in some cases, federal funding, to further their development activities. We consider the ability of these companies to raise additional funds a key indicator of
OUR success, as well as theirs.
I'm excited to share that as of the end of 2017, Oregon BEST Companies
passed the $100 million mark in funding secured after receiving support from Oregon BEST! That's $100 million deployed into Oregon companies that employ hundreds of Oregonians. Eighty percent of that was private sector investment. And much of this funding is spent at other Pacific Northwest companies, because many Oregon BEST Companies utilize local and regional supply chain partners.
We're proud to have been a partner to these companies in their very earliest stages. Many of these companies are women-owned, and we're proud to be celebrating them during Women's History Month.
Best wishes,
David Kenney,
President & Executive Director
Oregon BEST
|
|
|
|
CELEBRATING
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
|
|
Here's to Women Innovators & Entrepreneurs!
Many reasons - including beer! - to celebrate Women's History Month
We are celebrating Women's Month by honoring the women who innovated some of the world's most impressive inventions - ranging from the fire escape, the life raft, and the medical syringe, to residential solar heating, the computer algorithm, the coffee filter, and... beer! We are pleased that women heading many Oregon BEST Companies are carrying on that tradition of innovation.
Read more. (
Image credit: commons.wikimedia.org/via Hannah Jewell)
|
|
|
|
e-Chemion Reduces Battery Costs, Adds Investors
Oregon BEST Company adds investors, sees growing customer interest
Corvallis-based
eChemion is attracting customer interest as well as impact investment from
Willamette Valley Capital for its technology that treats electrode core material of redox batteries for less than half the cost of traditional methods (
shown above, treatment tray). "We are delighted to invest in eChemion, which has a proprietary, chemistry-based ‘secret sauce’ that significantly improves performance of commercial-scale energy storage systems," says Marc Manley, Managing Director of Willamette Valley Capital. "eChemion has been mentored by Oregon BEST, a valued partner of Willamette Valley Capital and an organization that accelerates commercialization of clean technology companies like eChemion."
Read the Terra story.
|
|
|
|
Transportation Startups Selected by Impact Investors
Onboard Dynamic and OpConnect get nod from Village Capital
Two Oregon BEST Companies are among the eight startups affiliated with the impact investing fund
Village Capital as part of its
Energy: US 2018 cohort. LNG fueling startup
Onboard Dynamics and EV charging infrastructure innovator
OpConnect are among eight early-stage startups working to improve energy efficiency in the energy-transportation nexus.
Read more.
|
|
|
|
Oil Giant Invests $500,000 in Clean Energy Innovation
Suppport to help Oregon BEST, other U.S. incubators
BP, through its global venturing arm, BP Ventures, is investing $500,000 and forming a strategic relationship with eight members of
Incubatenergy, a U.S.-based consortium of clean energy incubators and accelerators, including Oregon BEST, that supports startups and entrepreneurs across the global energy sector. The relationship will help connect Oregon clean energy innovators with funding.
Read Portland Business Journal story.
|
|
|
|
Cleantech Accelerator Accepting Applications
Cascadia CleanTech Accelerator ready to help startups succeed in 2018
Cascadia CleanTech Accelerator, powered by Oregon BEST and CleanTech Alliance, has just opened applications for its 2018 cohort and is seeking clean technology entrepreneurs and early-stage startups that want to speed their path to market with a 15-week program that delivers curriculum, mentorship, business connections, and funding opportunities.
Apply online by April 23, 2018. Last year's grand prize winner,
Sankofa Lumber (
CEO Valerie Carey, pictured above), is a commercial-scale supplier of reclaimed wood working to process, warehouse, and sell lumber that would otherwise be destined for the landfill.
|
|
|
|
Fifty Women in Business Gather, Share, Learn
Sold-out event celebrates successful women in science, business
On International Women's Day, Oregon BEST co-hosted (together with Women in Science, OBI, and OCTRI) an event about funding women-led, science-based startups. The sold-out event featured a panel (
shown, above) that included
Robin Klemm of XXcelerate Fund, along with entrepreneurs
Rachel Dreilinger of Neuramedica,
Patti White of Hemex Health, and
Holly Rockweiler of Madorra, discussing their experiences as innovators and business leaders. Oregon BEST's
Leon Wolf described opportunities for funding available through the SBIR/STTR program, which had benefitted three of the panelists. SBIR/STTR programs are prioritizing women innovators for funding. Contact Oregon BEST to learn more!
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Potential of Small Hydropower
|
Oregon State University mechanical engineering professor
KENDRA SHARP has worked with colleagues Thomas Mosier and David Hill to develop a novel modelling package that can be used anywhere in the world to assess the potential for small hydro developments, including over a range of climate change scenarios. The Hydropower Potential Assessment Tool (HPAT) does not require data that is often unavailable in many developing countries or remote locations.
Full story.
|
|
|
|
FUNDING, EVENTS, &
DEADLINES
|
|
EVENTS...
Inventors and entrepreneurs: Need funding for R&D of highly innovative new technology products? Join Oregon BEST’s Leon Wolf and learn how to apply. Corvallis, OR
This 10-week training covers business structure, financial management, sales and marketing strategies, fundraising, and more
Attend what is known as the nation's best solar conference. Portland
Join NREL experts, cleantech startups, investors, accelerators, incubators, and other cleantech industry leaders to showcase innovative technologies and disruptive business solutions. Denver, CO
Celebrating the excellence and achievement in the region's technology industry by honoring outstanding individuals and companies for accomplishments, leadership, and commitment to the industry and community.
Join the national tour when it stops in Portland and Seattle and learn how to compete for $2.5 billion in federal funding.
|
|
FUNDING | SUPPORT | VISIBILITY...
Oregon BEST helps cleantech startups and university researchers find a range of support, visibility, and
FUNDING
.
Application deadline: April 23, 2018
Powered by Oregon BEST and CleanTech Alliance, the Cascadia CleanTech Accelerator is accepting applications for its 2018 cohort. The CCA seeks clean technology entrepreneurs and early-stage startups that want to speed the path to market with curriculum, mentorship, and business connections. FMI, contact:
Vanessa Margolis.
If your product or service is “Made in America,” your company could qualify for this matching grant funding from the Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center.
A group of investors contributes time, expertise, capital, and connections to help founders gain access to the right people and resources to grow their business their way.
|
|
|
|
We're Here to Help!
Resources and expertise for Oregon innovators
Oregon BEST
supports great ideas from entrepreneurs, university researchers, and startups. We create global impact, one startup at a time by working with you to transform your ideas, research, and/or products into successful enterprises.
For
Oregon-based companies developing proprietary, technology-based products
, we offer assistance in securing
early-stage funding
, as well as access to
critical support channels
. Talk to us!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
