Startup Cafe is a great opportunity for founders and startup partners to connect, learn, and level up. Free coffee and donuts throughout the event!

Feel free to drop by for 10 minutes or stay the entire time…all are welcome!

Agenda
9:00am – 12:00pm: Networking and Swag Pick Up
9:30am – 10:15am: Presentation: Branding for Customers vs Investors

Swag Day

This month, we’re partnering with the Portland State Business Accelerator for a special Swag Day.

There’s something about seeing your logo on a real product that makes the whole thing click. It’s not just an idea anymore, it’s a mug you drink from, a tote you carry, a notebook where the next big plan gets written down.

Here’s how it works:
– Register for Startup Cafe
– Check your confirmation email for a link to submit your logo
– Choose your item: mug, tote, or notebook
– Pick it up at the event
– Take home a little proof that you’re building something real!

Presentation: Branding for Customers vs Investors
Presenter: Arsh Haque, Portland State Business Accelerator

Join us for a talk on branding your company, and why it means telling two different stories depending on who’s listening. The goal is always the same, building trust, but how you get there changes depending on your audience.

We’ll cover:
– Speaking to customer problems and outcomes, not just features
– Showing up authentically in the spaces your customers already are
– Making your progress visible, in ways investors can actually see
– Practical ways to build the visibility and understanding that earn trust on both sides

Whether you’re refining your pitch, rethinking your marketing, or just starting to think about how you present your company to the world, this session will help you speak more clearly to the people who matter most.