(2024 Bend Venture Conference | photo by Stark Photography)
The Bend Venture Conference (BVC), hosted by Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO), is Bend’s premier opportunity for prominent investors and industry leaders to connect with ambitious startup founders who are looking to scale their businesses. Each fall, this event attracts hundreds of entrepreneurs and investors to Bend, and BVC can be credited for the advancement of many local businesses across a wide range of industries. Through the BVC Funds LLC, more than $14 million has been invested across 59 companies.
The 2025 BVC will feature an Early Stage Track open exclusively to Oregon-based startups, with a cash award reserved for a company headquartered in Central Oregon.
“This year, we’re narrowing the focus of the Early Stage Track to highlight Oregon-based startups, with a special emphasis on supporting our local ecosystem,” said Brian Vierra, EDCO’s Venture Catalyst director. “The cash award will be granted exclusively to a company based in Central Oregon. It’s a way to invest directly in the entrepreneurial energy that’s growing right here in our backyard and help promising founders take that critical next step.”
Now in its 22nd year, BVC is one of the longest-running and most active early-stage investment conferences in the Pacific Northwest. The event has featured a variety of speakers, ranging from academics and government officials to industry leaders. Past speakers have included president and CEO of Columbia Sportswear Tim Boyle, anchor and executive producer at Bloomberg Technology Emily Chang, Oregon State treasurer Ted Wheeler, CEO of Dutch Bros. Coffee Joth Ricci and Super Bowl Champion Vernon Davis.
This year’s keynote and speakers are yet to be announced.
The conference will take place October 16-17, 2025, in downtown Bend. Applications are now open through August 14. Startups interested in competing must apply by August 14, 2025. More information about eligibility, selection criteria and how to apply is available at bendvc.com.
Anyone looking for more information regarding sponsoring BVC 2025 should contact Larry Holeman at larry@edcoinfo.com for opportunities to support this premier event.
