Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) announces the eight semifinalist companies advancing in the Growth Stage track for the 22nd annual Bend Venture Conference (BVC), taking place in downtown Bend Thursday, October 16-Friday, October 17, 2025.
Now in its 22nd year, the Bend Venture Conference is the Pacific Northwest’s largest angel investment conference and a hub for entrepreneurship in the region. Since its inception, BVC investors have awarded more than $14 million to startups. Every BVC, a new Growth Fund is formed to invest in standout Growth Stage companies competing at the conference.
Following the close of applications, investors and partners carefully reviewed each submission to select the top startups advancing in both the Early and Growth Stage tracks. The semifinalists for the Growth stage will be further narrowed down in early October, with those finalists advancing to present on the main stage at the Tower Theatre at the BVC on October 17. Semifinalists for the Early Stage track will be decided at the end of this week.
“Each year, the Bend Venture Conference Fund investors bring both capital and expertise to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial community,” said EDCO’s Venture Catalyst Brian Vierra. “The 2025 semifinalists highlight the diversity and potential of the companies being built, and we’re eager to see the impact they’ll make in the years ahead.”
In alphabetical order, the semifinalists are:
- Airbuild (Portland, Oregon) – Airbuild creates modular, self-powered systems that capture carbon, purify water and turn waste into biochar.
- Bold Reuse (Portland, Oregon) – Bold Reuse reduces costs and waste from single-use packaging through reusable packaging systems, a Bold Reuse is critical infrastructure for the circular economy.
- CarbonBright (Bend, Oregon) – CarbonBright uses AI to automate product sustainability assessments, enabling brands to cut emissions, meet regulations and scale eco-design.
- Datafi (Seattle, Washington) – Making people smarter at work – they are building the information channel at work where everyone gets the data that matters most to them.
- MarineSitu (Seattle, Washington) – MarineSitu provides marine infrastructure monitoring through their AI software platform, preventing costly interventions, saving time and increasing efficiency.
- Photon Marine (Portland, Oregon) – Photon Marine is building the world’s most capable electric fleet.
- Rapta (Tigard, Oregon) – Rapta supercharges U.S. Manufacturing by increasing capacity 30% through eliminating 98% of errors and accelerating workflows 10x faster.
- Stiira (Portland, Oregon) – Stiira is a specialized SaaS solution designed to help organizations effectively manage the complexities of government-regulated leaves of absence.
The BVC is the cornerstone of the High Desert Innovation Week, happening October 13-17 in downtown Bend, a multi-day program that brings together local entrepreneurs, innovators and investors to showcase the region’s startup resources and celebrate its collaborative culture.
Bend Venture Conference cannot guarantee that investments will be made in any specific amount because the final amounts to be awarded are dependent on investment commitments received from third-party investors and the ability of the winning companies and the investors to agree on the terms and conditions of the investment.
Early bird pricing for the 2025 Bend Venture Conference is available through September 30 at bendvc.com.
About Bend Venture Conference (BVC):
The annual BVC, hosted by EDCO, is one of the largest angel conferences in the country. Over the past 22 years, BVC has served to evolve and grow the startup ecosystem throughout Central Oregon and beyond. Since its inception, more than $14 million has been invested in 59 companies as a result of the conference. This year’s conference will gather entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, and students at the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon on October 16-17, 2025.
About Economic Development for Central Oregon :
EDCO is a non-profit corporation supported by private and public members and stakeholders, whose mission is to create middle-class jobs in Central Oregon by: recruiting new employers to move to the region; helping entrepreneurs start new, scalable businesses; and working with businesses that are already here to grow their operations.
About High Desert Innovation Week:
High Desert Innovation Week is an annual celebration of Oregon’s entrepreneurial spirit, held each October in Central Oregon. Organized by the Central Oregon Innovation Network, Cultivate Bend, Bend Outdoor Worx, and Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO), the week brings together organizations, startups and innovators from across the region to showcase the unique resources, collaborative culture and diverse industries that make Central Oregon a hub for innovation. Over five days, events highlight craft, technology and community, spanning sectors from consumer products to climate tech and outdoor recreation.
