EDCO Announces Top Ten Growth Stage BVC Semi-Finalists
Top Ten Social Impact Companies Advance
Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) announced the Top Ten companies to advance to the next round of the Growth Stage Competition for the 14th Annual Bend Venture Conference (BVC). These companies are one step closer to becoming one of the five finalists that will present on the historic Tower Theatre stage in Downtown Bend. Last year, companies in the Growth Stage category won prizes ranging from $100,000 to $1,750,000.
“The applicants competing in the Growth Stage category this year are some of the most compelling we’ve had. The vetting process hasn’t been easy,” said Brian Vierra, EDCO’s Venture Catalyst. “With two companies in the Top Ten from Bend, one from Seattle and one from California, the West is well represented.”
The ten Growth Stage semi-finalists were selected Wednesday evening after review by a panel of ten different funds and individual investor experts. These companies will advance to the next round of cuts, which will be announced at the end of September.
In alphabetical order, the Ten Growth Stage semi-finalists that will compete to make it through the next round of cuts are:
1. Allumia (Seattle, WA) – Provides energy efficiency as a service to commercial and industrial buildings: eliminating risk and capital expense for customers and generating ongoing returns for investors.
2. DesignMedix (Portland, OR) – Develops drugs to overcome drug resistance in multiple diseases, with a malaria drug ready for human trials, to be sponsored by the NIH.
3. Drone Complier (Portland, OR) – Provides government compliance management solutions integrated with field services to companies entering or growing in the Drone Industry.
4. Handful (Wilsonville, OR) – Lifestyle products for women that are flattering, versatile and feel great no matter what life throws your way.
5. InvestiPro (Bend, OR) – The first fully-automated application for conducting effective and compliant internal workplace investigations.
6. LeadMethod Bend, OR – The first Channel Revenue Optimization software to get channel partner engagement and feedback in order to increase revenue.
7. Mogol Inc. (Portland, OR) – Connects cities and states to cars so they can control the flow of traffic without expensive roadside equipment.
8. Tali (Portland, OR) – A voice-driven, hands-free productivity assistant powered by artificial intelligence that helps organizations become more productive and profitable.
9. Tripgrid (Portland, OR) – Travel management simplified. Tripgrid fixes the complexity of travel planning by providing a simple, intuitive workspace.
10. UbiquiOS Technology (Dublin, CA) – Provides low cost wireless connectivity software for
IoT applications.
Top Ten Social Impact Companies
EDCO announced the Top Ten Social Impact Companies to advance to the next round for the BVC. These companies have one additional round of cuts before they have the chance to present on the historic Tower Theatre stage in Downtown Bend. Last year, companies in the Social Impact category won prizes ranging from $50,000 to $100,000.
These ten Social Impact semi-finalists were selected after review by a panel of fund and individual investor experts. The Social Impact Competition, which includes for-profit companies whose business models are integrated with a social or environmental mission, will take place on the afternoon of Thursday, October 19.
In alphabetical order, the Ten Social Impact semi-finalists are:
1. Curadite, Inc. (Portland, OR) – A simple, flexible, reliable, 4G LTE cellular medication adherence platform leveraging disposable medication packaging to improve outcomes and lower costs.
2. Diatomix (Beaverton, OR) – A bioengineered photocatalytic technology that actively and continuously improves indoor air quality.
3. eWind Solutions (Beaverton, OR) – A renewable airborne wind energy company utilizing a rigid wing kite to produce energy.
4. Focal Technologies, Inc. (Portland, OR) – A technology to focus heat and UV from the sun to breakdown organic contaminants in water and soil.
5. Garden Bar (Portland, OR) – A salad-centric, fast casual restaurant concept specializing in healthy and convenient meals, made with fresh and high-
quality ingredients.
6. Green Theme International (Portland, OR) – The next generation in textile performance in durability, value and environmental sustainability with our clean chemistry and water free solution.
7. InPipe Energy (Portland, OR) – Creates a new source of clean electricity, helps improve the economics of water management and reduces carbon emissions.
8. Paid To Go LLC (Corvallis, OR) – Makes active commutes and exercise fun and rewarding.
9. ScoutSavvy (Portland, OR) – Community-Powered Diversity Career Connection Network
10. The Renewal Workshop (Cascade Locks, OR) – A new kind of apparel company that makes discarded clothing and textiles into something new.
Hosted by Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO), this year’s BVC held Thursday, October 19-Friday, October 20 will feature three competition categories: Growth Stage, Early Stage and Social Impact. Last year, nearly $4 million in funding was awarded to ten companies.
BVC is one of the largest angel conferences in the country. More than 600 attendees, six funds, 32 prominent investors and 89 companies participated in 2016’s conference.
Tickets: www.edcoinfo.com
