Early stage fund to launch at the Bend Venture Conference October 18.
The launch of a new angel fund focused on investment in Oregon-based companies will be announced at the Bend Venture Conference (BVC) October 18 at the Tower Theatre. The Cascade Angels Fund aims to drive economic growth and prosperity in Oregon by creating opportunities for investors and businesses. Based in Bend, the fund is committed to Oregon’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and will typically invest in launch stage companies from any industry or market, in investments averaging from approximately $50,000 to $200,000.
Investors in the fund must be accredited and will typically come from Oregon, Washington, and California. Funded companies can be from anywhere in Oregon, but the natural bias will be for Central Oregon based companies. “The Bend Venture Conference and its investment community are a high point of angel activity each year,” said Jim Coonan, Venture Catalyst for Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) and lead organizer of BVC. “Cascade Angels Fund will take our regional commitment to entrepreneurship and make it a year round effort.”
Fund Manager Julie Harrelson was selected by a committee of Bend entrepreneurs and investors. The founder and CEO of Harrelson Group, a mobile accelerator and change agent in the Pacific Northwest, Harrelson is a serial entrepreneur who has also led businesses, participated as an angel investor on due diligence teams, and cultivated an extensive professional network. Past and current clients include Starbucks, Nike, Greater Portland Inc. and other private sector businesses and regional organizations. “This is the only fund of its kind in Central Oregon and we have the opportunity to connect the best entrepreneurs and angel investors, providing an avenue to strengthen the entrepreneurial effort in the region,” said Harrelson.
“The Cascade Angels will help catalyze economic opportunity in Central Oregon and throughout the state.” “We knew that the fund manager would be critical and Harrelson brings startup experience, management experience, and has helped us to galvanize our vision,” said Coonan. “We also expect her to help us bolster the entrepreneurial ecosystem. We are fortunate to have a professional fund manager of Harrelson’s caliber,” added Coonan. Early sponsors of the fund include Karnopp Peterson LLP for legal services, Jones and Roth for accounting services and Bank of the Cascades for banking services.
Resources: Bend Venture Conference –www.bendvc.com Cascade Angels – www.CascadeAngels.com
About Economic Development for Central Oregon Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is a private non-profit corporation founded over 30 years ago and dedicated to building a vibrant and thriving regional economy by attracting new investment and traded-sector jobs (manufacturing, professional, headquarters and high technology businesses) through marketing, recruitment and substantive assistance to existing companies. This is the fourth year EDCO has managed BVC. Learn more about EDCO at www.edcoinfo.com.
About the Bend Venture Conference BVC is the largest angel conference in the state and is known for its friendly, accessible atmosphere in a scenic setting. On October 18th, the Bend Venture Conference will feature Concept Stage and Launch Stage finalists pitching their business ideas to a packed audience at the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon. In 2013, BVC celebrates its tenth year! To attend the Bend Venture Conference, register online. www.bendvc.com
Note: Membership in the Cascade Angels Fund is by referral and invitation only. Angel and venture investments involve a high degree of risk. Participation in the Cascade Angels Fund is limited to “accredited investors,” as defined by the general rules and regulations of the Securities Act of 1933 of the Securities and Exchange Commission AND to investors who have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that they are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of prospective investments. This release is not an offer to sell or solicit investment in the Cascade Angels Fund, its portfolio companies, or applying companies. The Cascade Angels Fund does not operate as a broker-dealer or investment adviser and is not registered as such with any federal or state securities regulator.
