(Photo courtesy of EDCO)
Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is pleased to announce the five Early Stage finalists who will compete at the 2025 Bend Venture Conference (BVC), taking place October 16-17 at the Tower Theatre in downtown Bend.
Last Thursday, hundreds of attendees packed the outdoor patio at Worthy Brewing for Central Oregon PubTalk, where ten Early Stage semifinalists pitched their companies in a fast-paced, three-minute format. The audience and a panel of expert judges selected the five finalists who will advance to the Early Stage competition at BVC.
In addition to advancing to the BVC main stage, Toast Wear Inc., the audience favorite at PubTalk, walked away with a $3,000 award courtesy of Washington Trust Bank. Central Oregon Early Stage finalists at BVC will also be eligible for a $25,000 award to be announced during the conference thanks to generous local community members, among whom are Taylor Brooks, Rod Ray, Horan MediaTech Advisors, and Scott and Annie Allan.
In alphabetical order, the Early Stage finalists that will compete at the BVC are:
- 360 Sierra (Bend) // All-in-one platform for vehicle-rental operations — powered by an AI master operator.
- Neurosom (Eugene, Oregon) // Neurosom is advancing a clinically validated, personalized neuromodulation therapy to reduce dementia risk by enhancing deep and REM sleep.
- SokoLife (Eugene, Oregon) // SokoLife is revolutionizing cardiac care with innovative, non-toxic patches for congenital heart defect repair, reducing reinterventions and healthcare costs.
- Toast Wear Inc. (Bend) // Cold is universal. Your gear is personal. Toast solves both with a personal thermostat for your jacket, making existing apparel your go-to for warmth.
- Yak Incorporated (Portland, Oregon) // Yak is the all-in-one, automation and AI-powered platform that automates audits for accounting firms, cutting admin work in half and ending auditor burnout.
Reflecting on the event, Jon Stark, CEO of EDCO, said, “Seeing these Early Stage founders pitch at PubTalk really underscores the strength and creativity of Oregon’s startup ecosystem. From bold ideas to cutting-edge technology, these entrepreneurs are proof that our state is shaping the future of innovation in the region and beyond.”
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. The event is the cornerstone of the High Desert Innovation Week, happening October 13-17 in 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.
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 OregonL
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 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.
