OEN NewsWild Friends Foods selected to receive the Inaugural Oregon Entrepreneurs Network’s Angel Oregon Fall Program Investment Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov 13, 2013, Portland, Ore. — The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) has concluded the inaugural OEN Angel Oregon Fall Program for entrepreneurs and selected Wild Friends Foods as the winning company.
OEN’s Angel Oregon has been a key element in the funding and development of seed stage companies in Oregon since 2005 when the first investment award was presented. Due to an increasing demand on the part of entrepreneurs, and the need for early stage funding in the region, OEN has responded by making OEN’s Angel Oregon a year round program, starting with the new OEN Angel Oregon Fall Program.
“OEN’s new Angel Oregon Fall Program helps more entrepreneurs access capital, education, mentors, and other resources,” says Shelley Gunton, OEN’s Angel Oregon Fall Program Chair. “At the same time, it provides another opportunity for accredited investors to experience hands-on angel investing with the added benefits of education, networking and fun.”
A total of 26 companies applied to be considered in OEN’s Angel Oregon Fall Program. Keeley Tillotson, co-founder of Wild Friends Foods, says, “It was such a great experience for us. It’s so important to step back and look at the big picture, and really helpful to have experienced people look at your company and ask the important questions.”
Wild Friends Foods, which launched in November 2011, specializes in unique peanut and almond butters that can now be found in 1300 stores across the country. Tillotson says, “We’ve had an amazing couple years of growth. This investment will help us keep that momentum going.”
Angel investor and Fall Program participant Wendy Kotila says, “I joined Angel Oregon to build my network and learn more about angel investing. It was a really great experience. I met a bunch of interesting people with diverse backgrounds, gained a foundation in doing company due diligence from an investor standpoint, and came away with a little piece of a company I believe in. Overall, it was great fun, and I look forward to participating in the next Angel Oregon.”
About Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
Founded in 1991, the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing opportunities for Oregon entrepreneurs and improving the business climate for emerging, growth-oriented companies statewide. The organization has members throughout Oregon and southwest Washington.
For more information about the OEN, visit oen.org.
Contact:
Kerala Taylor
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
503-222-2270
keralat@oen.org
Jeff Fishburn
OnPR for Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
503-802-4408
jefff@onpr.com
