Bend based fund focused on economic growth in Oregon to announce initial commitments in its second year of investment. Investments by the 2014 Fund include a $75,000 investment in Manzama, Inc., a $100,000 investment in Droplr Inc. and a $121,900 investment in the 2014 Bend Venture Conference (BVC), thereby contributing to the BVC’s record investment amount of over $500,000.
Cascade Angels Fund 2015, LLC (the 2015 Fund) will be announced at the 2014 Bend Venture Conference on October 17. Building on the success of Cascade Angels Fund 2014, LLC (the 2014 Fund), which closed with $460,000 and 22 investors, the 2015 Fund aims to drive economic growth and prosperity in Oregon by creating opportunities for investors and businesses and will invest in launch stage companies from any industry.
Fund Manager, Julie Harrelson, is the founder and CEO of Harrelson Group Inc., a mobile accelerator and change agent in the Pacific Northwest.
Harrelson has an extensive background in startups and as an angel investor. “We have many great start-ups in Central Oregon and across the state,” said Harrelson.
“A Fund such as Cascade Angels 2015, LLC makes a strong contribution to putting Central Oregon on the map as a place to live, work, and invest. I want to thank the sponsors of the 2015 Fund, including Bank of the Cascades, Jones and Roth, Karnopp Petersen and Harrelson Group for their support in this important effort.”
Being the catalyst at the crucial moment of growth is where Cascade Angels Fund has succeeded in creating opportunities for investors and businesses. “The special thing about angel funds is they do have an expectation for return, but they are also important to the economic development of the region,” said Brian Vierra, EDCO Venture Catalyst.
“Part of Julie’s success with the 2014 Fund has been collaborating with other funds and economic development stakeholders like OEN, RAIN, Oregon Angel Fund, Portland Seed Fund, Cascadian Group, Seven Peaks, and many other key players. The key to success to scale all the independent efforts of the activity in this region is that collaborative mindset.”
The Central Oregon ecosystem for entrepreneurs is rapidly evolving with the growth of the BVC, the presence of Seven Peaks, the addition of a year round angel fund (Cascade Angels Fund), new Bend Venture Conference Fund Manager, Jason Moyer, and new EDCO Venture Catalyst, Brian Vierra.
About Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO)
Founded in 1981, 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 our businesses that are already here to grow their operations. This is the fifth year EDCO has managed the BVC. Learn more about the Bend Venture Conference, and to register to attend at www.bendvc.com.
