(Photo courtesy of socialmonsters.org)
Between its people, culture, nature and companies, Portland is known for its uniqueness throughout the world. It is one of America’s hubs for new ideas, which can be seen when looking at Portland-based companies. There are many organizations that are growing quickly in the area because they offer innovative services or products that are reflective of Portland itself. Let’s explore a few of the unique institutions that call Portland home:
Revant
Revant began as a one-man operation in 2009 after its founder ruined the lenses in his sunglasses in a bicycling accident and desperately wanted to replace them. After being forced to buy 200 lens sets from a wholesaler, he decided to sell the leftovers. Surprisingly, he sold out in one weekend. From this accident, Revant was born and is now one of the fastest-growing companies in Oregon. Revant provides premium replacement lenses for sunglasses to help extend the life of their customers’ favorite pairs at a lower cost. The company is dedicated to helping its customers enjoy the outdoors with style.
The Clymb
The Pacific Northwest, and Portland in particular, is known for its wilderness. The Clymb fits in perfectly with its surroundings. It is a membership-based online retailer of outdoor equipment that offers premium brands at up to 70 percent off. The company has become more of a lifestyle than a brand, and it engages with a community of people who enjoy the outdoors. Founded in 2009, it has continually climbed the ranks of the fastest-growing companies, and it shows no signs of slowing down. With a fun company culture, including dogs in the office, it has proven to be a great destination for employees and customers.
Chirpify
#Awesome. Hashtags have gained huge popularity over the past couple of years as a form of communication on the Internet. Chirpify’s technology now makes it possible for people to make purchases just by typing a hashtag. With clients such as Adidas, MasterCard and Oreo, big names are taking advantage of the trend and allowing their customers to make purchases directly from Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. This simplifies the buying process and appeals to millennials.
Wildfang
The menswear trend for women has been around for years, and it does not seem to be fading anytime soon. Wildfang has a grasp on this niche market, specializing in tomboy fashion. The company began in Portland and is a true representation of the city. It is creating a network of strong women who want to express themselves, embracing the culture of Portland and appealing to people all over the world.
Janrain
Janrain began in 2004 when its founder observed that people had to remember too many username and password combinations. Named for a rainy January day in Portland, the social login company has grown in the city for over ten years. Beyond letting users sign in through social media, Janrain has expanded its portfolio to include engagement statistics, customer insights and other easy registration options.
There is no shortage of interesting business ideas in Portland, but these have found great success beyond the city limits. By embracing the culture of Oregon, they have found unique markets that appeal to people across the globe.
