March 2024
2024 Startup Business Essentials: Cohort 1
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network Startup Business Essentials is a 5-part series designed to equip entrepreneurs with the essentials to support their growing businesses, uncover the common pitfalls that lead to failure, and gain invaluable insights from thought leaders and successful founders. Offering practical guidance and expert advice to set you on the right path on your entrepreneurial journey.
Participants will have the opportunity to meet peers and a community of service providers, investors, organizations and agencies available to support your success.
Monday’s – 8:30 – 10:00 am
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- March 4th – Hosted by Perkins Coie
- March 11th – Hosted by Robyn Knox Business Coaching + Consulting
- March 18th – Hosted by Forward/Slash
- April 1st – Hosted by Hustle Hunters
- April 8th – Hosted by Tonkon Torp
Monday, April 15th – 4:30 – 7:00 pm
All Zoom programming will be recorded and distributed following the session for asynchronous participation.
Startup Business Essentials Series Pricing
- $100 OEN Member
- $150 Non-Member
All programming will be recorded and distributed following the session for asynchronous participation.
The program is a best fit for:
- Entrepreneurs and founders who are in the Concept, Early ($0 – $99,999), and Development ($100k – $1M) stages of their company’s growth.
- Ideally post-revenue, with a product created and launched.
- Those looking to learn how best to finance growth, meet investors, connect with mentors, and solve operational problems
- Interest in working towards investment through OEN’s Angel Oregon programs.
- Desire to eventually build a regional/national brand.
Education Series registration includes:
- Five core workshops featuring top regional thought leaders, all conducted via Zoom and recorded.
- Recommendations for books, blogs, podcasts, templates and more to support your business.
- Admission into OEN’s March virtual Pitch, Please program, regardless of membership status.
- In-person Pitch Event with mentors and investors in Portland.
- Discount on registration for 2024 OEN Oregon Angel programming (AOBio, AOTech and OregonAF) including the opportunity to vie for equity investment (AOBio and OregonAF).
Education Sessions
BUSINESS ENTITY STRUCTURE CHECKLIST
Monday, March 4th I 8:30 am
Featuring: Ann McQuesten, Corporate Partner – Perkins Coie
Launching a new business requires much more than coming up with a catchy name. As a founder, you will be faced with a multitude of important decisions. One of the first is to choose which business entity structure is the best fit for your startup.
The business structure you choose influences everything from day-to-day operations, to taxes and how much of your personal assets are at risk. You should choose a business structure that gives you the right balance of legal protections and benefits.
Session Focus Points
- Identify the correct entity structure for your business.
- Determine the correct documents you need to establish your business structure
- Review the financial tasks you need to complete to establish your business.
- Review the tax requirements for your business.
- What it takes to switch from one entity to a different entity.
BUILDING A SALES STRATEGY
Monday, March 11th I 8:30 am
Featuring: Robin Knox, Founder & President – Robyn Knox Business Coaching + Consulting
Driving sales is more than simply promoting a product to the world and hoping for the best.
A sales strategy is a detailed plan outlining sales tactics and processes that your organization can use to achieve company goals and lead with a competitive advantage.
An effective sales strategy not only defines end goals but fleshes out the purposes of the sale, the purpose of the product, and methods of resonating with intended audiences or specific demographics.
Session Focus Points
- Analyze past customers to clarify the ideal customer profile.
- Determine your sales cycle.
- Create a sales strategy that outlines weekly, monthly and quarterly tasks to drive sales.
- Use the information from the session to adjust sales goals and create sales projects.
DEVELOPING A HEALTHY FINANCIAL STRUCTURE
Monday, March 18th I 8:30 am
Featuring: Beth Nguyen, Senior Manager – Forward/Slash
Used by company decision-makers and potential partners, investors and lenders alike, a financial plan typically includes the company’s sales forecast, cash flow projection, expected expenses, key financial metrics and more. It serves as the fiscal backbone of any successful venture.
By delving into these core components, businesses can effectively allocate resources, mitigate risks, and ensure long-term sustainability.
Session Focus Points
- Review the current structures in place to track and manage financial information.
- Learn how to read your Profit/Loss (P/L) and Balance Sheet to make informed financial decisions.
- Determine healthy margins for your business based on your industry.
- Identify tools to help you manage your finances.
- Identify the professionals you need to hire to assist you with creating a healthy financial routine.
HIRING & FIRING A TEAM
Monday, April 1st I 8:30 am
Featuring: Nikki Adamson, Founder – Hustle Hunters
Hiring and firing personnel can be a daunting task, but it is crucial for the success of your company.
Good employees positively impact job quality, efficiency, and customer service. On the other hand, hiring the wrong employees can lead to decreased productivity, poor customer service, and potential financial losses. Therefore, effective hiring strategies need to include effective firing strategies.
Session Focus Points
- Create a hiring strategy with job descriptions, creative compensation, structures (1099 vs W2) and onboarding.
- Understand the legal restrictions that impact the hiring process, including anti-discrimination laws and laws restricting an employer’s ability to conduct background or credit checks or inquire into past pay history.
- Develop a discipline process that leads to low risk terminations.
- Create a firing strategy to process terminated employees. Review strategies to mitigate risks.
FUNDING YOUR COMPANY
Monday, April 8th I 8:30 am
Featuring: Josie Jeremiah, Associate Attorney – Tonkon Torp
Bringing your idea to life typically requires an investment — and funding a business can be tricky for entrepreneurs without a financial history or fully developed product.
The number and types of funding options can be overwhelming for a new startup and securing adequate funding for your business can be challenging. Understanding the types of startup funding can help you understand what’s out there and how it aligns with your company’s goals.
Session Focus Points
- Becoming bankable
- Review different funding options
- Determine which funding options are best for you.
- Create a plan for funding your business.
- Strategies for managing personal and professional debt while running a business.
- Review balance sheets, current debt and financing needs to determine the kind of financial assistance needed to grow the business.
COHORT PITCH
Monday, April 15th I 4:30 pm
Cohort 1 founders and entrepreneurs will be offered the opportunity to showcase their company and share their ides with a 5-minute pitch in a non-competitive program at the end of the cohort.
Participants will receive actionable feedback that inspires them to take their ideas to the next level, and have a chance to connect with their peers and invited guests during the networking portion of the event.
THANK YOU SPONSORS
OEN March PubTalk: The FoundHER Panel
Over 42% of new businesses are started by women, yet recent reports have found that female founders receive only about 2-3% of venture capital funding.
In honor of Women’s History Month, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) and our partner Stoel Rives invite you to join us for a panel featuring female founders from a diverse range of industries as they talk about their journey as entrepreneurs.
From securing funding to balancing work-life demands, this discussion will highlight their innovative companies, best practices, and connections that have made them successful. This amazing panel will share the hard truths of starting and scaling a business along with the resilience they learned in order to succeed in today’s competitive landscape.
Details
Location: TrovaTrip, 850 NW 13th Ave, Portland, 97209, (the venue does not offer on-site parking. There is ample street parking)
Time: 5:00 – 7:30pm
Hashtag: #OENPubTalk
Cost: $15 for OEN members; $25 for non-members. *Sorry, no refunds.*
To Be Served: Deschutes Brewing, TimberlineRita, Margarita Mocktail, and more!
Not yet an OEN member? Join today, and you can get a free pass to a PubTalk!
Moderator
Mary Hull
Partner
Stoel Rives
Panelists
Melanie Marconi
Founder & CEO
VIDA Coworking
Bonnie Morales
Co-Owner & Executive Chef
Kachka
Sce Pike
Entrepreneur & Investor
Founder & CEO – IOTAS acquired by ADT
Thank You Sponsors
Disclaimer
Please be aware that OEN will take photographs and videos in public areas of the event. We may use such media in marketing materials, educational products, and publications. Your image and the sound of your voice may be recorded. That information may be included in our materials if you are identified during the recording or by name. Recordings may be edited, copied, exhibited, published, or distributed. By registering for and attending the event, you agree and consent to our use of your image or recording as described in this paragraph.
850 NW 13th Ave
2nd Floor
Portland, Oregon United States
2024 Angel Oregon Technology
Angel Oregon Technology (AOTech) is designed to support early-stage technology startups based in Oregon and Southwest Washington by offering investment-readiness education, mentorship with successful local entrepreneurs in their sector, and connectivity within the local technology community.
There will be no investment opportunity for the technology cohorts in 2024.
The program is one in a series of Angel Oregon events facilitated by OEN which includes Angel Oregon Life and Bioscience (AOBIO) and Oregon Angel Food (OregonAF).
PRICING & REGISTRATION
OEN Member: $100
Non-Member: $150
PROGRAM DETAILS
EDUCATION SESSIONS
- AOTech will host TWO cohorts in 2024 featuring a three-week investment-readiness education series for technology startups at any stage of development.
- Cohort 1: Education Series
Tuesdays, March 19th – April 9th – 8:30 – 10:00 am on Zoom - Cohort 2: Education Series
Tuesdays, August 20th – September 3rd – 8:30 – 10:00 am on Zoom
- Cohort 1: Education Series
PITCH PRACTICE
- In-Person Practice Pitch sessions.
- Cohort 1: Pitch Practice
Tuesday, April 16th – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm location TBD
- Cohort 1: Pitch Practice
- Cohort 2: Pitch Practice
Tuesday, September 17th – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm location TBD.
EDUCATION SESSIONS
All education sessions will be conducted via Zoom. Content portions will be recorded and will be available to all registered participants following the session.
Tackling Term Sheets
Tuesday, March 19th
8:30 – 10:00 am
Featuring: Glenn Butler, Board Chair, Bellingham Angel Investorsand Mary Hull, Partner – Stoel Rives
For founders seeking funding, the term sheet is a critical document that can make or break a deal. It sets out the key terms that will form the building blocks of the relationship and alignment between the company and the investor.
More than just a financial contract, term sheets are about preserving your startup’s vision, protecting its interests, and ensuring a fair partnership with investors.
This AOTech panel conversation will tackle term sheets, unraveling their significance, key components, and the critical art of negotiation.
Session Focus Points
- Cap Tables
- Valuation
- Option Pools
- Liquidation Preferences
- Board of Directors
- Investor Rights
- Ownership Percentage of Share Classes
- Participation Rights
- Dividends
Surviving Technical Due Diligence
Tuesday, April 2nd
8:30 – 10:00 am
Featuring: Ryan Comingdeer, Fractional CTO – InnovaDev, Susy Dunn, Chief Administrative Officer – Resilinc, Devon Horace, Angel Investor, and Allie Magyar, Founder, Hubb & Dynamic Events
The goal of technical due diligence for a startup is to assess a product or service’s systems and infrastructure for potential risks, weaknesses, or gaps. This is done to catch anything that could hinder your company’s growth trajectory or compromise its ability to deliver on promises to investors, customers, and partners before it’s a problem
Successful technical due diligence requires careful planning and preparation. Understanding the process can help defuse many uncertainties and provide focus on the items that matter most.
This AOTech conversation will teach participants what to expect during a technical audit and how to prepare — both logistically and mentally — for the entire process.
Session Focus Points
- Team Responsibilities
- Product Roadmap
- Technology Stack
- Processes
- Documentation
- Security: Practices & Concerns
- Backups & Disaster Recovery
- Technical Debt
Investment Routes for your Tech Startup
Tuesday, April 9th
8:30 – 10:00 am
Featuring: Noah Brockman – Fahti Khosrowshahi – Founder/CEO – Ceek Women’s Health, Tom Schnell – Team Lead / Finance Officer – Business Oregon, and Jessie Ulrich – Senior Manager – Moss Adams
Every startup is different, and as such, fundraising journeys are unique. If you’re a founder of a tech startup, you understand how crucial money is when building a business. And raising funds is especially challenging for startups.
Venture capital, angel investors, private equity, government grants, accelerators, and incubators are some of the most common funding resources for tech startups.
This AOTech session will explore the types of funding available to founders and go deep into navigating funding based on the stage of your business and the developmental phase of your product.
Session Focus Points
- Creating a Business Plan
- Bootstrapping & Family & Friends
- Banks
- Government Grants
- Accelerators & Incubators
- Venture Capital
- Angel Funding
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
WHY IS AOTECH IMPORTANT FOR FOUNDERS AND ENTREPRENEURS?
- To build your business: learn how best to finance growth, meet investors, connect with mentors, and solve operational problems
- To build community: connect with fellow founders and investors in the technology sector, learn the stories behind home-grown successes, and grow your network
- To build the local economy: earn investment, find local suppliers, and meet local talent
WHO IS INVOLVED?
- FOUNDERS: Technology founders and founding teams of all kinds – and stages – are welcome to register for the education sessions.
- ANGELS: accredited investors game to invest collectively in a technology company and help grow the regional tech sector are welcome. Details below.
- MENTORS: specialists of all kinds support founders with their time and talents in grant applications, business model development, regulatory compliance and testing, and so on.
THANK YOU SPONSORS
Pitch, Please: March
Receive feedback on your pitch before stepping foot in front of investors, buyers, or customers.
Pitch, Please is a member-only monthly event hosted by OEN offering founders and entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their 5-minute pitch virtually or in person at select events throughout the state.
Following the pitch, regional thought leaders will ask questions and provide feedback to help strengthen pitches for when it’s time for the real thing.
Details
Location: Zoom
Date: Tuesday, March 19th
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Cost: Free for OEN members
Not yet an OEN member? Join today, and you can get to join in on future Pitch, Please events.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT WILL CLOSE DOWN ON FRIDAY, MARCH 15TH.
FAQ’s
- This event is only open to OEN Entrepreneur/Start Up Members who are in the Concept, Early ($0 – $99,999), Development ($100k – $1M), and Growth ($1M – $5M) stages.
- There are limited spots at Pitch, Please per month, so registered companies will be contacted by an OEN staff member to confirm that they are pitching and provide a schedule with their estimated pitch time.
- Pitching companies will create their own slides and control them on Zoom during the event.
- Startup companies NOT selected to pitch that month are encouraged to observe the event to learn from other founders and our Feedback Panel. They will also be given priority for the next month’s event lineup.
- This event WILL be recorded and provided to pitching companies for their reference. It will not be released to the public.
March Feedback Panel
Deepthi Madhava
Partner
Oregon Venture Fund
John Williams
Entrepreneur & Investor
2024 Oregon Angel Food
Oregon Angel Food (OregonAF) is designed to support early-stage food and beverage startups based in Oregon and Southwest Washington by offering investment-readiness education, connectivity within the local food and beverage community, and the opportunity to receive an equity investment from local angel investors.
This program is one in a series of Angel Oregon events facilitated by Oregon Entrepreneurs Network in collaboration with Xcelerate Women.
PRICING & REGISTRATION
OEN Member: $100
Non-Member: $150
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY
Early stage companies ready for dilutive capital investment may apply to this program. The investment opportunity will be open and finalized during Spring cohort.
What is an early stage company eligible to apply for investment through OregonAF?
- Food or Beverage Makers in Oregon or SW Washington
- No CBD products; no food tech or F&B-adjacent
- Minimum of ~$10K/sales each of the last three months
- Leadership team with relevant past experience
- Ready to scale regional/national brand
PROGRAM DETAILS
EDUCATION SESSIONS
- OregonAF will host TWO cohorts in 2024 featuring a three-week investment-readiness education series for food and beverage startups at any stage of development.
- Cohort 1: Education Series
Wednesdays, March 20th – April 10th – 8:30 – 10:00 am on Zoom - Cohort 2: Education Series
Wednesdays, August 21st – September 4th – 8:30 – 10:00 am on Zoom
- Cohort 1: Education Series
PITCH PRACTICE
- In-Person Practice Pitch sessions.
- Cohort 1: Pitch Practice
Wednesday, April 17th – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm location TBD. - Cohort 2: Pitch Practice
Wednesday, September 18th – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm location TBD.
- Cohort 1: Pitch Practice
INVESTMENT MIXER
- OregonAF Investment Mixer will be held in-person on Thursday, June 6th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.
EDUCATION SESSIONS
All education sessions will be conducted via Zoom. Content portions will be recorded and will be available to all registered participants following the session.
F&B Financial Models and Sales Strategies
Wednesday, March 20th
8:30 – 10:00 am
Featuring: Pat Hiley, National Sales Manager, Stoller Wine Group, Erica Mitchell, Chief Financial Officer – Hood River Distillers and Jesus Solis, General Manager – Yoshida Group
For food and beverage startups, financial modeling can serve as a compass, guiding entrepreneurs through different scenarios. By accurately simulating financial outcomes, these models enable business owners to make informed decisions, anticipate future challenges, and seize opportunities.
A key component of a company’s financial model is an understanding of all revenue streams. For food and beverage businesses these revenue streams come from selling products to consumers and there are a variety of ways to generate sales from customers. From direct to consumer (DTC) sales to utilizing a broker, how you sell your products directly impacts your financial models.
Session Focus
- Building financial models
- Channel strategies
- eCommerce
- Working with Brokers
- Pricing for success
Investment Routes for your Food & Beverage Startup
Wednesday, April 3rd
8:30 – 10:00 am
Featuring: Art Avitia, Senior Relationship Manager – Bank of America, Ben Jacobsen – Founder – Jacobsen Salt Company, Kathryn Kavner, Co-Founder & CEO – Heyday Canning, and Aimee Squires – Senior Associate – Amberstone
Starting a food and beverage business can be an exciting endeavor, but it also requires significant planning and financing.
In order to finance an idea, entrepreneurs must first understand their target market and the competitive landscape, determine how much capital they need for their venture, and identify potential sources of funding.
This OregonAF session will explore the types of funding available to founders and go deep into navigating funding based on the stage of your business and the developmental phase of your product.
Session Focus
- Term Sheets
- Trademark IP
- Banks
- Government Grants
- Accelerators & Incubators
- Venture Capital
- Angel Funding
From Kitchen to Market: Scaling for Food Distribution
Wednesday, April 10th
8:30 – 10:00 am
Featuring: Harold Anderson, Founder – Anderson CFO, Michael Pan, Founder – Pan’s, Jaime Price, Product Manager – Honey Mamas and Marcia Walker – Director, Food Innovation Center – Oregon State University
Scaling up production is a bold move, and not to be taken lightly. Preparing your food and beverage business for growth poses a unique set of challenges and opportunities.
From financing, to technology and automation that meet new demands. Upscaling processes and new packing and distribution models. Scalability is really about capacity – do you have the systems, staff, equipment and mechanization in place to accommodate growth?
This OregonAF session will focus on navigating the path of business growth and how to plan ahead in order to successfully scale up.
Session Focus
- Supply chain
- Packaging
- Manufacturing
- Distribution models
- Production insights
- Food safety
- Trademarks
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
WHY IS OREGONAF IMPORTANT FOR FOUNDERS AND ENTREPRENEURS?
- To build your business: learn how best to finance growth, meet investors, connect with mentors, and solve operational problems
- To build community: connect with fellow founders and investors in the food and beverage sector, learn the stories behind home-grown successes, and grow your network
- To build the local economy: earn investment, find local suppliers, and meet local talent
WHO IS INVOLVED?
- FOUNDERS: Food and beverage founders and founding teams of all kinds – beverages, snacks, confections & chocolates, pantry, etc. – are welcome to register for the education sessions.
- ANGELS: accredited investors invest collectively in a food or beverage company and help grow the regional bioscience sector are welcome.
- MENTORS: specialists of all kinds support founders with their time and talents in packaging, promotional strategy, production, distribution, retail merchandising, online sales, intellectual property, financial modeling, inventory management, or go to market planning.
THANK YOU SPONSORS
2024 Angel Oregon Life + Bioscience
Angel Oregon Life & Bioscience (AOBIO) is designed to support early-stage life and bioscience startups based in Oregon and Southwest Washington by offering investment-readiness education, connectivity within the local bioscience community, and the opportunity to receive an equity investment from local angel investors.
The program is one in a series of Angel Oregon events facilitated by Oregon Entrepreneurs Network in collaboration with Oregon Bioscience Association, Oregon Bioscience Incubator/OTRADI, OHSU and Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute.
PRICING & REGISTRATION
OEN Member: $100
Non-Member: $150
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY
Early stage companies ready for dilutive capital investment may apply to this program.
What is an early stage company eligible to apply for investment through AOBIO?
Those with an established product/service, team, advisory board and roadmap may apply for consideration for the AOBIO equity investment.
The application will require a pitch deck and financials. Interested founders should be able to demonstrate traction for a proof of concept in the form of prior funding (via grants, loans, “friends & family”) and have a clear sense of the company’s valuation.
PROGRAM DETAILS
EDUCATION SESSIONS
- AOBIO will host TWO cohorts in 2024 featuring a three-week investment-readiness education series for life and bioscience startups at any stage of development.
- Cohort 1: Education Series
Thursdays, March 21st – April 11th – 8:30 – 10:00 am on Zoom - Cohort 2: Education Series
Thursdays, August 22nd – September 5th – 8:30 – 10:00 am on Zoom
- Cohort 1: Education Series
PITCH PRACTICE
- In-Person Practice Pitch session will be hosted by the Oregon Bioscience Incubator/OTRADI.
- Cohort 1: Pitch Practice
Thursday, April 18th – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Oregon Bioscience Incubator/OTRADI
- Cohort 1: Pitch Practice
- Cohort 2: Pitch Practice
Thursday, September 19th – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Oregon Bioscience Incubator/OTRADI
INVESTMENT MIXER
- AOBIO Investment Mixer will be held in-person on Thursday, November 21st from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.
EDUCATION SESSIONS
All education sessions will be conducted via Zoom. Content portions will be recorded and will be available to all registered participants following the session.
Investment Routes for Bio Startups
Thursday, March 21st
8:30 – 10:00 am
Featuring: Kabir Bhati, CEO – StoneStable, LLC, Anne Carlson, Associate Director, Technology Development and Licensing – OHSU and Charla Triplett, President – Catalyze LLC, and Tom Schnell, Team Lead / Finance Officer – Business Oregon
Getting money for life and bioscience startups can be a daunting task.
Life and bioscience companies are some of the most capital-intensive types of startups. Securing funding is required to make it through prolonged research and development timelines and navigate complex regulations. Research, clinical trials, regulatory approvals and intellectual property protection costs are enormous.
This AOBIO panel conversation will discuss the variety of opportunities available to life and bioscience companies, and the challenges of navigating the funding process.
Session Focus Points
- Government Grants
- Partnerships
- Angel Funding
Surviving Investor Due Diligence
Thursday, April 4th
8:30 – 10:00 am
Featuring: Nancy Lime, Entrepreneur In Residence – Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnology Institute (ONAMI), Don Megrath, Co-Founder & Managing Director – VectorPoint Ventures, Travis Rush, Co-Founder & CEO – Reperio Health and Patti White, Co-Founder & CEO – Hemex Health
The goal of investor due diligence for a startup is to audit or review a company’s financial records, legal status, market positioning, and competitive landscape. This is done to catch anything that could hinder your company’s growth trajectory or compromise its ability to deliver on promises to investors, customers, and partners before it’s a problem
Successful due diligence requires careful planning and preparation. Understanding the process can help defuse many uncertainties and provide focus on the items that matter most.
This AOBIO conversation will teach participants what to expect during a due diligence audit and how to prepare — both logistically and mentally — for the entire process.
Session Focus Points
- Importance of Your Team
- Roadmap to Commercialization
- Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Processes
- Financial Documentation (Data Room)
Demystifying the Term Sheet
Thursday, April 11th
8:30 – 10:00 am
Featuring: Liisa Bozinovic, Executive Director – Oregon Bioscience Association, Anne Bunnenberg, Founder and CEO – White Horse Consulting LLC, Meredith Fox – Partner, White Summers Caffee & James, LLP, and Ricardo López, Investment Strategist, Oregon Growth Board – Business Oregon
Raising capital for an emerging biotech company is rarely easy. For founders seeking funding, the term sheet is a critical document that can make or break a deal. It sets out the key terms that will form the building blocks of the relationship and alignment between the company and the investor.
More than just a financial contract, term sheets are about preserving your startup’s vision, protecting its interests, and ensuring a fair partnership with investors.
And this AOBIO panel conversation will help demystify term sheets, unraveling their significance, key components, and the critical art of negotiation.
Session Focus Points
- Cap Tables
- Valuation
- Protective Provisions
- Liquidations Preferences
- Anti-Dilution Protection
- Board Representation
- Registration Rights
- SAFE & Convertible Notes
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
WHY IS AOBIO IMPORTANT FOR FOUNDERS AND ENTREPRENEURS?
- To build your business: learn how best to finance growth, meet investors, connect with mentors, and solve operational problems
- To build community: connect with fellow founders and investors in the bioscience sector, learn the stories behind home-grown successes, and grow your network
- To build the local economy: earn investment, find local suppliers, and meet local talent
WHO IS INVOLVED?
- FOUNDERS: Life & bioscience founders and founding teams of all kinds – therapeutics, diagnostics, medical device, health innovation – are welcome to register for the education sessions.
- ANGELS: accredited investors invest collectively in a life or bioscience company and help grow the regional bioscience sector are welcome. Details below.
- MENTORS: specialists of all kinds support founders with their time and talents in grant applications, business model development, regulatory compliance and testing, and so on.
THANK YOU SPONSORS
April 2024
So You Want to be an Angel Investor?
For over 30 years, the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) has been helping founders start up and scale up by connecting them to peers and mentors, funding opportunities, and hands-on business training.
But did you know that for twenty of those years we have also been growing the capital side of the entrepreneur equation through our Angel Oregon programs? Teaching individuals who have never invested before to learn the ins and outs of angel investing – from determining an investment thesis to participating in the due diligence process and understanding term sheets.
First time investors in OEN Angel Oregon programs learn these skills, and more, alongside more seasoned angel investors.
The OEN team will be hosting a virtual InvestOR event on Tuesday, April 2nd from 4:00 – 5:30 pm focused on an introduction to angel investing in Oregon and OEN Angel Oregon programs – which bring together first-time and experienced angel investors to invest as a group in regional companies.
Join us to find out how OEN is activating angel investors while providing training, growth, and funding in the innovation ecosystem.
REGISTER HERE
Details
Day: Tuesday, April 2nd
Time: 4:00 – 5:30pm
Location: Zoom
Cost: Free
Not yet an OEN member? Join today, and you can get a free pass to a PubTalk!
Pitch Decks: Content & Design Strategies
Over the past fifty years, pitch decks have undergone a dramatic evolution, transitioning from mostly verbal presentations with simple charts and a focus on substance over style to more visually captivating modern decks that blend striking visuals with core messages to better capture and hold the audience’s attention.
That the first presentation can make or break a lucrative relationship with a customer, buyer or investor. But where do you start?
Join Oregon Entrepreneurs Network and our partners at Riff_ for a deep dive of what to include (and not) in pitch decks for a variety of audiences on Monday, April 8th starting at 2:30 pm on Zoom.
Their seasoned team will provide examples and tangible advice for you to nail that first impression!
Details
Location: Zoom
Date: Monday, April 8th
Time: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Cost: OEN Members: Free, Non-Members: $5
Not yet an OEN member? Join today, and you can get to join in on future Co-Work with OEN events.
Thank You
OEN April PubTalk: Networking in Bend
PubTalks are Oregon Entrepreneurs Network’s flagship networking events where members of the entrepreneurial community gather to connect and learn from and about entrepreneurs.
Our networking PubTalk series in 2024, taking place outside of the Portland-Metro area, will be hitting the road to Bend for our in April PubTalk on Wednesday, April 10th starting at 5:00 pm.
We’re partnering with The Haven for a fun evening where attendees will
- Make new connections
- Engage in conversation
- Discover opportunities and partners to help your business grow!
There will be food, beverages, 5-Minute Pitches from regional entrepreneurs, and a facilitated networking game to loosen up the crowd.
Details
Location: The Haven, 1001 SW Disk Dr Ste 250, Bend, OR 97702
Time: 5:00 – 7:00pm
Hashtag: #OENPubTalk
Cost: $15 for OEN members; $25 for non-members. *Sorry, no refunds.*
Not yet an OEN member? Join today, and you can get a free pass to a PubTalk!
Thank You Sponsors
Disclaimer
Please be aware that OEN will take photographs and videos in public areas of the event. We may use such media in marketing materials, educational products, and publications. Your image and the sound of your voice may be recorded. That information may be included in our materials if you are identified during the recording or by name. Recordings may be edited, copied, exhibited, published, or distributed. By registering for and attending the event, you agree and consent to our use of your image or recording as described in this paragraph.
1001 SW Disk Dr Ste 250
Bend, bbOR
May 2024
May: Co-Work with OEN
Entrepreneurship is often a lonely experience, but it doesn’t have to be.
Exchanging best practices with other founders and entrepreneurs in the same region, even if you have differing business types, can provide precious insights. You can learn from their experiences, pick up new ideas, and stay up-to-date on industry trends.
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network is partnering with our friends at Miller Nash to host Co-Work with OEN on Wednesday, May 1st from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at Kiln. Make it your headquarters for the day. Set up your laptop and co-work with other founders in their common space, private phone booths, or soft seating areas.
There will be a break mid-day for lunch which will include a facilitated conversation with a regional thought leader. This May we are delighted to welcome Mark Mohammadpour, Owner and Chief Well-being Officer, Chasing the Sun.
So, join for the full day, or just for a portion of the day, and get connected with other regional entrepreneurs.
Featured Presentation
Mark Mohammadpour
Owner and Chief Well-being Officer
Chasing the Sun
Nine Steps to Create Your Company’s Culture of Well-being
Your employees do not value ping pong tables and free beer in the office. They want to take the time off they deserve, to feel safe in sharing vulnerabilities, be confident financially, quality sleep, and many other factors that in previous eras may have seemed out of reach.
Recent data says 88% of job seekers say that a healthy culture at work is vital for success, and 86% of job seekers avoid companies with a bad reputation.
But how do we ensure we’re taking care of our employees while meeting and exceeding business objectives? By building a Culture of Well-being that establishes clear communication and expectations to meet business objectives, while respecting the needs of employees to live a healthy life.
During this session, we’ll share relatable, practical, and actionable steps to ensure you and your team are living a Culture of Well-being that positively impacts the health of your staff and your business.
- What is a “Culture of Well-being” and what is it not.
- Your role, your middle-manager’s role, and your junior staff’s role in its development.
- Actionable steps to use your company’s Culture of Well-being to retain and recruit your best talent.
Details
Location: Kiln – 120 SE Madison St, Portland, OR 97214
Date: Wednesday, May 1st
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: OEN Founder/Start-Up Members – All Day: $25, Morning or Afternoon Sessions: $15
Not yet an OEN member? Join today, and you can get to join in on future Co-Work with OEN events.
FAQ’s
- This event is only open to OEN members in the Concept, Early ($0 – $99,999), Development ($100k – $1M), and Growth ($1M – $5M) stages.
- There are limited spots at each Co-Work with OEN session, so registered individuals will be contacted by an OEN staff member to confirm that they have a space by Monday, April 15th.
- A light breakfast, lunch and beverages will be provided throughout the day. Options will be provided to participants in advance of the event.
THANK YOU
120 SE Madison St.
Portland, Oregon United States
May Entrepreneur Mixer: In Ashland
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) and our friends at Umpqua Bank headed to ASHLAND for our May Entrepreneur Mixer at The Growler Guys from 5:00 – 6:30 pm on Thursday, May 2nd.
During this event, you’ll have the opportunity to meet ambitious founders and entrepreneurs with a broad range of expertise and skills who are open to building new relationships and strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem. Enjoy nibbles and the first round of drinks on OEN, networking, and the chance to learn from regional thought leaders.
Cascade Lakes, the first and only not-for-profit brewery in Oregon, will be on hand to sample their beers and there will be some great raffle opportunities throughout the evening.
Pricing
- OEN Member: Free
- Non-Member: $10
Light appetizers and the first drink will be provided for attendees by OEN.
The goal of OEN Entrepreneur Mixers are to prioritize founders and give them a space to have open conversations with peers. Please only register for this event if you are an Oregon or SW Washington founder or entrepreneur at an early, development or growth stage startup.
THANK YOU SPONSORS
345 Lithia Way
Ashland, bbOR
OEN May PubTalk: Seed to Growth: Stages & Sources of Startup Funding
Startups go through various funding stages as they grow and strive for success
Traditionally, startup founders with means have relied on personal savings and “friends and family” investment rounds to kick start their businesses. Another alternative is taking out a loan with a bank or other financial institution in exchange for repayment of the principal and interest over time.
However, in the mid-20th century, startups began seeking external investment from venture capitalists, who provided capital and expertise in exchange for equity with the promise of scaling rapidly. And in recent years, the startup financing landscape has continued to expand even further.
Angel investors and networks have become increasingly crucial early-stage funding sources while crowdfunding platforms have allowed startups to raise funds from a broad audience of individuals. Startups have also explored alternative financing options, such as revenue-based and token sales.
On Wednesday, May 8th join Oregon Entrepreneurs Network and our friends from Silicon Valley Bank for a panel conversation about the variety of opportunities open to entrepreneurs to secure the capital they need to turn an innovative idea into a successful business.
Details
Location: TrovaTrip, 850 NW 13th Ave, Portland, 97209, (the venue does not offer on-site parking. There is ample street parking)
Time: 5:00 – 7:30pm
Hashtag: #OENPubTalk
Cost: $15 for OEN members; $25 for non-members. *Sorry, no refunds.*
To Be Served: Deschutes Brewing, For Bitter for Worse,
Not yet an OEN member? Join today, and you can get a free pass to a PubTalk!
Moderator
Jane Ullman
Managing Director
Silicon Valley Bank
Panelists
Jon Bebe
Business Coach
Craft3
Caroline Lewis
Partner
Rogue Venture Partners
Sam Posl
Territory Manager
Camber Road
Thank You Sponsors
Disclaimer
Please be aware that OEN will take photographs and videos in public areas of the event. We may use such media in marketing materials, educational products, and publications. Your image and the sound of your voice may be recorded. That information may be included in our materials if you are identified during the recording or by name. Recordings may be edited, copied, exhibited, published, or distributed. By registering for and attending the event, you agree and consent to our use of your image or recording as described in this paragraph.
850 NW 13th Ave 2nd Floor
Portland,
Pitch, Please May (Live In Corvallis)
Receive feedback on your pitch before stepping foot in front of investors, buyers, or customers.
Pitch, Please is a monthly event hosted by OEN offering founders and entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their 5-minute pitch virtually or in person at select events throughout the state.
Join us IN PERSON in May as we head to the Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Institute on Monday, May 20th from 4:00 – 6:30 pm.
Entrepreneurs and founders are welcome to register to pitch, or observe to learn how they can strengthen their own pitches.
Following each pitch, regional thought leaders will ask questions and provide feedback to help strengthen pitches for when it’s time for the real thing.
Details
Location: Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Institute, 1110 NE Circle Blvd, Corvallis, OR 97330
Date: Monday, May 20th
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Cost: Free for OEN members – $5 for Non-Members
Not yet an OEN member? Join today, and you can get to join in on future Pitch, Please events.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT WILL CLOSE DOWN ON FRIDAY, MAY 17TH.
FAQ’s
- This event is only open to founders and entrepreneurs who are in the Concept, Early ($0 – $99,999), Development ($100k – $1M), and Growth ($1M – $5M) stages.
- There are limited spots to pitch at Pitch, Please per month, so registered companies will be contacted by an OEN staff member to confirm that they are pitching and provide a schedule with their estimated pitch time.
- Pitching companies will create their own slides and control them during the event.
- Startup companies NOT selected to pitch that month are encouraged to observe the event to learn from other founders and our Feedback Panel. They will also be given priority for the next month’s event lineup.
- This event WILL be recorded and provided to pitching companies for their reference. It will not be released to the public.
May Feedback Panel
Tory Campbell
Senior Associate Executive Director of Experience
Oregon State University Alumni Association
Anne Lipsitz
Founder & Principal
Lipsitz Consulting
Skip Rung
President & Executive Director
ONAMI
Thank You
1110 NE Circle Blvd
Corvallis, bbOR
Pop Up & Pitch: Portland
Building off the momentum of Oregon Angel Food’s 2023 Marketplace Oregon Entrepreneurs Network and our friends at Burgerville invite you to meet Oregon’s best new local food and beverage innovators at the Pop Up & Pitch at Tillamook Outpost in Portland on Friday, May 31st from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
Marketplace vendors from throughout the Pacific Northwest will be on hand with products for attendees to sample, sip and buy.
The Pop Up & Pitch afternoon will also include a series of 3-minute pitches by food and beverage entrepreneurs. Just them, their product and a microphone.
Details
Location: Tillamook Outpost, 1400 NW 22nd Ave suite 100, Portland
Time: 3:00 – 6:00pm
Pitches: 4:00 pm
Cost: Free
Vendor Applications
For companies who are interested in showcasing your product at one of two Pop Up & Pitch Events in 2024 we invite you to follow the link below to apply.
POP UP & PITCH VENDOR APPLICATION
Only twenty-five companies will be chosen for each marketplace.
Registration fees for each market:
- OEN Member: $50
- Non-Member: $75
Sponsors
1400 NW 22nd Ave, Suite 150
Portland, bbOR