BendTECH will host the ninth annual unConference – a fun startup pitchfest – Tuesday, October 16, from 2-4:30pm. The event features a chance for startup founders to pitch their business ideas and win cash prizes. The audience cheers, offers support, asks questions and then ultimately votes on the winners.
Per usual, the conference emphasizes the un — that is a low-tech pitch fest, with no powerpoints, no lengthy presentations, no stress, just show up. There are 15 to 18 pitch spots and they are first-come, first-serve. Founders have been showing up early in years past to snag a spot, so keep that in mind.
This year’s sponsorships mean that BendTECH can once again offer cash prizes to the winners. This year, founders can compete for the following:
· First place: $2,500, a BendTECH coworking membership and a ticket to the BVC networking event (Thank you EDCO!)
· Second place: $1,000 and a BendTECH coworking membership
· Third place: $500 and a BendTECH coworking membership
The prizes aren’t just reserved for those pitching. Audience members who stay to vote can also enter a raffle to win an Apple watch. All of this is made possible by our generous, supportive sponsors:
Premier Sponsors
Business Oregon
Bend Broadband Business
Underwriting Sponsors
City of Bend
Price Fronk & Co.
Supporting Sponsors
St. Charles Health System
The 1001 Tech Center
A few more details: The pitches are three minutes long. The audience gets the chance to listen, cheer, ring cowbells and ask questions. Everyone there votes and the winners will be announced by 4:30pm. All manner of entrepreneurs, including students, are welcome—it’s not just tech. In fact, it’s usually way more than tech.
The BendTECH coworking space will be open during and after the event for those who want to tour the space, meet the member startups and businesses and learn more about the nonprofit that runs this awesome community asset.
The unConference began nine years ago as a fun way to kick-off the Bend Venture Conference week. It’s a celebration of how entrepreneurship begins—with ideas – and a great chance for entrepreneurs to get feedback, make connections and possible win some cash to further their idea.
So take a break from your desk and join the un!
Details
BendTECH unConference
When: Tuesday, October 16
Where: Thump @ 1001 Tech Center
1001 SW Emkay, Bend, OR
Pitch slots assigned at 2pm
Pitches start at 2:30pm
Winner announced at 4:30pm
Event is free
More info @ Bendtech.com and startupbend.com
Want to pitch?
Any startup founder or aspiring founder can sign up to pitch. You get a microphone and three minutes and the rapt attention of a 100+ of the nicest audience members. Please don’t ask to show a deck.
Sign-ups to pitch are first come, first serve.
You can sign up beginning at 2pm. Sometimes a line forms early. The spots always fill up immediately, so plan accordingly.
Want to be in the audience?
This part is easy. Show up. Get a ticket for a free beer, kombucha or glass of wine. Get a free cowbell. Ring it. Cheer. Show the people pitching some love. Maybe win a raffle prize. Maybe make a friend.
About BendTECH
BendTECH’s mission is to create and sustain a culture of collaboration, networking, and entrepreneurship in support of a thriving, diverse, and inclusive startup and tech community. The nonprofit organization runs the BendTECH coworking space, which provides affordable, flexible office space for startups, tech and more. BendTECH presents the annual Startup Resource Fair in the spring and unConference in the fall.
