OEN EventsSee what's coming up at OEN!
April 2023
Non Technical Founders SaaS Workshop
Are you a non-technical founder with a concept or early stage SaaS product? Join Oregon Entrepreneurs Network and our partner Koridor for a mid-day workshop on Tuesday, April 4th from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm at Stoel Rives – 760 SW 9th Ave. #3000, Portland.
Learn how to understand the fundamentals of software design and the development process involved. Gain the skills to work with development teams confidently. Hack your growth strategy by learning the standard techniques required to build long-lasting, habit-driven software.
The topics covered in this workshop include:
- Pitch Practice – The 4 Elements that make a pitch
- Research – Better understand the problem
- Goals & Anti Goals – What are we looking to achieve, and what are we not?
- Competition – Who are we up against?
- Facts & Assumptions – Get realistic about our industry and our customers
- Problem Statement – Design a concise solution to a problem
- Build the Persona – Who is our ideal customer and why?
- Pitch Deck – We arrive at a complete and focused solution that can be executed
A light lunch and beverages will be provided for attendees.
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PRESENTER
Sepehr Shoarinejad
President I Koridor
Sepehr has a colourful and seasoned history of entrepreneurship in various industries. Through his array of ventures, he has a balanced and realistic understanding of the skills and knowledge required to thrive as a non-technical founder in a technical world. Fortunately for us, his primary passion has always been to help drive like-minded entrepreneurs to success.
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THANK YOU SPONSOR & VENUE HOST
760 SW 9th Ave. #3000
Portland, Oregon United States
2023 Angel Oregon Technology
AOTech, the premier PNW technology investment program hosted by Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN), is BACK!
AOTech kicks off April 13th with a four-week investment-readiness education series, featuring local founders who have successfully scaled technology companies, which benefits technology startups at any stage of development.
You’ll learn:
- Key pathways to scaling a technology startup
- Lessons learned in building a technology company from experienced local founders
- How to create a case for investment to local and out of state investors
- What investors in the sector really want, and how to engage them successfully
At the end of the education program, those companies that are indeed investment-ready can apply to be considered for an equity angel investment of up to $200,000, to be presented at the live AOTech Finale in June.
AOTech Entrepreneur Registration – $95 OEN Members; $135 Non-Members, includes:
- Four core educational workshops featuring successful technology founders
- Live AOTech Mixer with mentors and investors in Portland
- Pitch practice opportunities and feedback from mentors and investors
- Opportunity to apply for up to $200K equity investment
- Ticket to the AOTech Finale in June in Portland
KEY DATES:
April 4th: Non Technical Founders SaaS Workshop from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM open to all non-technical founders regardless of stage.
April 6th: Entrepreneur Info Session from 8:30-9:15 AM via Zoom REGISTER HERE
April 13th: Investment Routes for your Tech Startup
This session will explore the types of funding available to founders and go deep into navigating funding based on the stage of your business and the developmental phase of your product. Beyond traditional venture capital, there is a funding landscape that includes federal and state opportunities as well as financing options that will be discussed. Featuring: Leon Wolf, VertueLab; Thomas Schnell, Business Oregon
April 20th: Surviving Technical Due Diligence
This session will foster a conversation about the technical due diligence process, what topics will be addressed, which documents you’ll have to produce, and how to prepare mentally for such an exercise. Featuring: Ryan Comingdeer, Investor; Deepthi Madhava, Oregon Venture Fund
April 27: Building a Diverse & Versatile Team
This session will discuss team structure, from finding a co-founder to building out your c-suite, and how it evolves at different stages in your company’s journey. The speakers will touch on how to curate talent that fits properly in an ideal tech startup team structure and expand with your company’s growth. Featuring: Himalaya Rao-Potlapally, The BFM Fund; Kabir Bhatia, Investor
May 4th: Pitch Perfect: The Dos and Don’ts of Investor Pitching
This session will focus on what not to do, such as getting too detailed on the tech. And will also cover what to absolutely include in your pitch such as tailoring it to your audience and other tips for the perfect pitch! Featuring: Sce Pike, ADT; John Harkness, Rewire Neuro
May 5th: Practice Pitch
May 10th: Fast Pitch
During these fastpitch sessions, AOTech entrepreneurs will give a 3-5 minute pitch introducing their company to local investors.
THANK YOU SPONSORS
OEN April PubTalk: How to Build a Business of Impact
As a startup, thinking about corporate social responsibility, social impact, and sustainability might feel like a luxury — something you are planning on tackling once you are funded, once you are profitable, once you don’t feel like a startup anymore. But, as a startup, a company is still relatively small and nimble. By starting early, there is a unique opportunity to intentionally build social responsibility that is embedded in the company’s culture and DNA. This intentionality will drive many seen and unforeseen benefits for your organization.
Whether you are cultivating a culture of social change to laying the groundwork for a sustainable supply chain. Or translating diversity values into practice to making a formal commitment to social responsibility like a B Corp. It is important that startups consider all the impacts of social responsibility efforts on the community, environment, investors and key stakeholders.
On April 12th OEN, and partner Vertue Lab, will host a conversation with founders that have built meaningful, value-driven companies – despite limited resources, staffing and more. Join us to learn about their approaches to social impact, corporate responsibility and the potential benefits to your business’ bottom line.
Details
Location: Fresh Consulting, 811 SE Stark St #300 Portland, (the venue does not offer on-site parking. There is ample street parking)
Time: 5:15 – 7:30pm
Hashtag: #OENPubTalk
Cost: $15 for OEN members; $25 for non-members. *Sorry, no refunds.*
Featured Vendors
- A selection of appetizers will be provided by SporkBytes.
- Queen of Hearts out of Hood River will be serving up some samples of their delicious dressings.
- With flavors like Elderberry Rosehip, Turmeric Ginger, Citrus Sunrise, and Peach Hops Blue Bus Kombucha will be bringing plenty for the crowd to try!
- The Pub Under the Stairs will be serving a Miru Vodka Prickly Pear Punch, Ninkasi beer, and a variety of Oregon wines.
- And more to be announced!
Not yet an OEN member? Join today, and you can get a free pass to a PubTalk!
Can’t Be There In Person?
Check out the pitches and panel via live stream on Zoom starting at 6 pm.
Moderator
Juan Barraza | Director of innovation and Entrepreneurship | VertueLab
Juan is responsible for envisioning, creating, delivering, and continuously improving upon the support programs we offer to innovators and entrepreneurs, either on our own or with partners. Juan joins VertueLab from Portland State University, where he served as the Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship. He believes that entrepreneurship is a great equalizer in society, and that any individual with an idea or concept and a strong work ethic can create a great venture with a direct economic impact on family and community.
Panelists
Tanya Barham | CEO & Founder | Community Energy Labs
Tanya has 20 years of experience as an innovator, entrepreneur, technologist, and utility nerd building enduring practices and products, including a successful business exit. From 2016-2019 Tanya helped reformulate and re-start PECI, securing millions in non-dilutive funding for execution of all aspects of technical service, product development, operations and commercialization of PECI’s grid edge products. In 2019 PECI spun off its technical and grid-edge products as Community Energy Labs with Tanya at the helm. Tanya’s specialty is in leading systems and people to set the stage for the high achievement culture necessary to iterate and scale.
Anna Madill | Founder & CEO | Avenue
Anna Madill is the Founder and CEO of Avenue, a B Corp digital and social media marketing agency for purpose-driven companies. Avenue’s proprietary suite of marketing products and custom services help brands and businesses of all sizes grow sustainably and successfully. Prior to founding Avenue, Madill held a variety of executive leadership roles at digital and full-service agencies.
Nyah Zarate PhD | Founder/CEO | Continuous Solutions
April 5-Minute Pitch
At each PubTalk two companies are invited to wow the crowd with a five minute pitch. OEN is delighted to welcome these companies for our March PubTalk.
If you are interested in having your company pitch at a future PubTalk please click here to email Rylee O’Brien, Engagement Specialist.
Thank You Sponsors
Disclaimer
Please be aware that OEN will take photographs and videos in public areas of the event. We may use such media in marketing materials, educational products, and publications. Your image and the sound of your voice may be recorded. That information may be included in our materials if you are identified during the recording or by name. Recordings may be edited, copied, exhibited, published, or distributed. By registering for and attending the event, you agree and consent to our use of your image or recording as described in this paragraph.
811 SE Stark St #300
Portland, bbOR
June 2023
OEN June PubTalk: The Non-Dilutive Funding Landscape
For a startup, running the business is incredibly challenging especially when it comes to accessing capital. One of the most difficult decisions is to take outside investment and risk dilution. Dilution refers to the loss of equity that occurs when a company issues new shares, reducing a founder’s (or founders’) ownership stake and giving investors more control over the company.
Non-dilutive funding refers to any capital a business owner receives that doesn’t require them to give up equity or ownership. Contributions from donors, tax credit programs, vouchers, grants, competition prize money, and even “friend and family” investment constitute forms of non-dilutive capital. Additionally, some of the major types of non-dilutive funding include venture debt, revenue-based financing and asset-based financing, which are especially attractive for new companies since owners retain full control of their own enterprises.
Your equity matters, which is why the OEN June PubTalk on Wednesday, June 14th will introduce three panelists with expertise in this type of funding to discuss the advantages and disadvantages when considering non-dilutive funding. You’ll learn where to start researching different deal structures, what type of business plan you’ll need to prepare, and what is a timeline to expect to secure funding.
Details
Location: Fresh Consulting, 811 SE Stark St #300 Portland, (the venue does not offer on-site parking. There is ample street parking)
Time: 5:15 – 7:30pm
Hashtag: #OENPubTalk
Cost: $15 for OEN members; $25 for non-members. *Sorry, no refunds.*
Featured Vendors
- Bobafy will have their Bobamatic on hand serving up delicious Boba Tea for the crowd!
- Gâteaux will be sharing samples of their delicious cakes! Try the Almond Torte, Chocolate or Sour Cream Coffee Cake (or all three)!
- And more to be announced!
Not yet an OEN member? Join today, and you can get a free pass to a PubTalk!
Can’t Be There In Person?
Check out the pitches and panel via live stream on Zoom starting at 6 pm.
Panelists
Dimitry Gershenson | CEO & Founder | Enduring Planet
Dimitry started Enduring Planet building on his 14 years of experience across climate tech, ops, and impact investing. Prior to Enduring Planet, Dimitry led M&A and served as COO for Rango Wireless, an Enduring Ventures portfolio company. Before that, Dimitry built Meta’s Energy Access program, a $15M+ investing initiative that enabled clean energy access for 3M people and unlocked nearly $500M in additional capital in underserved markets like Kenya and India. While at Meta, Dimitry also led the development of multiple predictive ML products in the cleantech space and built corporate accelerator programs for impact startups in India and Puerto Rico.
Dave Hansen | Executive Vice President | Umpqua Bank
Sam Posl | Territory Manager | Camber Road
June 5-Minute Pitch
At each PubTalk two companies are invited to wow the crowd with a five minute pitch. OEN is delighted to welcome these companies for our June PubTalk.
If you are interested in having your company pitch at a future PubTalk please click here to email Rylee O’Brien, Engagement Specialist.
Thank You Sponsors
Disclaimer
Please be aware that OEN will take photographs and videos in public areas of the event. We may use such media in marketing materials, educational products, and publications. Your image and the sound of your voice may be recorded. That information may be included in our materials if you are identified during the recording or by name. Recordings may be edited, copied, exhibited, published, or distributed. By registering for and attending the event, you agree and consent to our use of your image or recording as described in this paragraph.
811 SE Stark St #300
Portland, bbOR
2023 Angel Oregon Technology Finale + Innovation Showcase
Get in on the ground floor of Oregon’s emerging technology sector. Four startups will vie for a potential $200K equity investment, to be announced at the AOTech Grand Finale + Innovation Showcase on June 22nd, 3-7pm at Jupiter NEXT in Portland. Tickets on sale now.
900 E Burnside St
Portland, bbOR
May 2023
Co-Founder Connection
Looking for the right partner-in-crime to turn your startup idea into reality?
Are you an exited founder or curious entrepreneur interested in bringing someone else’s vision to life?
On Thursday, May 11th join Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) for Co-Founder Connection from 5:00 – 6:30 pm. Whether you’ve got an existing idea and you’re looking for someone with complementary skills to join you, or you’re curious to join someone else with their existing startup as a co-founder, this event might be the perfect opportunity to meet your future co-founder.
During this event, you’ll have the opportunity to meet plenty of ambitious individuals with a broad range of expertise and skills that are open to building new relationships and strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem.
Light snacks and beverages will be provided for attendees.
THANK YOU VENUE HOST
760 SW 9th Ave. Suite 200
Portland, Oregon United States
2023 Angel Oregon Life & Bioscience Grand Finale + Innovation Showcase
Get in on the ground floor of Oregon’s emerging bioscience sector. Four startups will vie for a potential $300K equity investment, to be announced at the AOBIO Grand Finale + Innovation Showcase on May 17th, 3-7pm at Amaterra Winery in Portland. Tickets on sale now.
8150 SW Swede Hill Drive
Portland, bbOR
