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We're glad you're here! Our goal is to provide updates on the impact of Oregon Venture Fund portfolio companies and venture capital in our region. You'll also find open positions from some of our portfolio companies - in case you or someone you know is looking for their next gig.
Take a look around and let us know what you think. Thanks for being here.
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From Clovis Woman to Nike: How Oregon Became World-Class
60,000 Oregonians work at over 3,000 firms in Oregon’s world-class footwear, apparel, and outdoor gear industries. Oregon is the undisputed global epicenter of design, innovation, and marketing in these sectors, with employers ranging from upstarts like Rumpl and gearUP Sports to industry leaders Nike and Columbia. How’d we get here? What traits did the local founders of these industries have in common? Read the full story in our latest Rosenfeld Rumination perspective here.
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PDX Fast Pitch - Join Us Oct 29th
Whether you're an aspiring founder, a startup enthusiast, angel investor, or simply curious, this is the perfect opportunity to hear innovative ideas from the next wave of entrepreneurs. Interested in pitching? Join us for a dynamic evening where you can pitch your idea in two minutes and meet OVF venture partners. Just select the "Presenter/Pitching" ticket option & provide your deck by October 15th. 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. Co-sponsored by Silicon Valley Bank.
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The 2025 Oregon Venture Fund is Now Open
Did you know OVF organizes a new fund each calendar year? We think of it as "venture-as-a-service" and investors love the flexibility of having the choice, but not the obligation, to reinvest and grow their portfolio on an annual basis. The start of Fall and harvest season for others, marks the beginning of planting season for us. Learn about our annual investing cycle and how you can plant a few seeds yourself. "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant." — Robert Louis Stevenson
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Drones, Whisky, & Bull Riding: An Investor Round-Up to Remember!
Cara Turano of Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) and Joseph Wyno of the Oregon UAS Accelerator teamed up this month to shine a light on the cutting-edge technologies and uses of drones in Pendleton, OR. This year, seven innovative companies participated in the Oregon UAS Accelerator, which offers a 12-week program for founders from around the world to test their inventions, fly their drones, develop their business plans, and to practice their pitches to raise capital. OVF joined Turano and Wyno and others for the day-long event. They topped off the investor education with Pendleton Whisky and the professional bull riding competition at Happy Canyon Arena. All who attended were chompin’ at the bit for more. Thanks for having us! Pictured: Melissa Freeman, Steve Lawn, Charlie Kawasaki and Cara Turano.
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Bigleaf Networks Makes Inc's Prestigious List
Bigleaf Networks has been named to the 2024 Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies! This recognition reflects their dedication to innovation and the trust their many customers place in them as a leader in network optimization.
Bigleaf is a dream from IT pros by enabling wired and wireless internet connectivity without complexity, making it easy for organizations to conduct business on the internet with confidence. Click here for additional information and see who else made the prestigious list.
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Absci's New Collaboration on Cancer
Absci, as usual, is creating drugs at the speed of AI. But now they have a new partner to support the effort. Read here about how Absci and the world-renowned cancer research team at Memorial Sloan Kettering are joining forces to co-develop novel therapeutics for cancer. As explained by Sean McClain [pictured], Founder & CEO of Absci, “By combining MSK’s research expertise with our generative AI drug creation platform, we have the potential to unlock critical advances toward treating this devastating disease.” Let's go!
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Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) Finalists
We are excited to share that three of our portfolio companies have been selected as finalists in various categories for the 2024 OEN awards. Congratulations to Jessica Murrey [pictured] and Alicia Clifton, co-founders of Wicked Saints Studios, Yuriy Bulygin and Alex Bazhaniuk, co-founders of Eclypsium, and Ryan Fink and Ty Frackiewicz, co-founders of Digs. The competition is tough - not a surprise considering the many impactful innovations in our region - but we're rooting for you! Winners will be announced at the OEN awards in early November.
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Since its founding, OVF and its investors have invested $180M in 80 companies that have created over 5,757 jobs. 34% of our portfolio companies are founded or led by a woman and 22% by an entrepreneur of color.
Pitchbook places OVF in the top 25% of ALL global venture funds (2023).
OVF is humbled by the generosity of our corporate partners:
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Disclosure: This newsletter is intended to provide general information regarding OVFs investments and impact and not for the purpose of soliciting investors for any fund. Under no circumstances should the information provided be considered an offer to sell, or a solicitation to buy, any security. Such offer or solicitation may only be made to accredited investors and qualified purchasers pursuant to the current offering documents of the relevant OVF Fund. The information provided may not be reproduced or disseminated to any third parties without the written consent of OVF. The past performance of previous OVF Funds and portfolio companies is not necessarily indicative of future results. Investors in OVF Funds may lose investment capital. There can be no assurance that any future OVF Funds or portfolio companies will achieve comparable results. | | | | |
