OtherWhere Are They Now? 6 Oregon Startups Are Hitting Big Milestones

Here at OEN, we like to tell stories. In 2014 alone, we profiled the founders of 36 local startups, with industries ranging from cheese to compost to kids’ TV. So… how are they doing now?

Many of the companies we profiled last year have since hit some major milestones. Here are six highlights:

Heidi Lovig, founder of plant-based “cheeze” company Heidi Ho, was featured on Shark Tank’s 100th episode on Nov. 14, securing a $125,000 investment from Lori Grenier. See a clip here.

 

The Digits, an interactive app and web series brought to us by Portland-based FUNDA, not only surpassed its $12,000 crowdfunding goal, but is now slated for production as a PBS TV series. In August, founder Scotty Iseri and his team debuted its pilot script during a sneak peek event at OMSI.

 

Though Stacey and Chris DeWald, creators of the outdoor wine glass holder Bevie Pro did not reach their crowdfunding goal, they still went ahead and launched anyway. They are making their product locally in Woodinville, Wa. and selling it online at www.belladvine.com.

 

On July 3, 2014, community composting company DirtHugger exceeded its $65,000 crowdfunding goal, enabling it to create a long-term home and a scalable solution to community composting. While founders Pierce Louis and Tyler Miller report that they won’t finish construction until spring 2015, phase one of construction is now complete, allowing them to begin operations in Dallesport, WA.

 

Built Oregon, an online platform dedicated to sharing entrepreneurial stories from across Oregon, far exceeded its $20,000 Kickstarter goal, raising an impressive $32,354. Founders Mitch Daugherty, Terry St. Marie, and Rick Turoczy launched the first issue in Dec. 2014, and as part of Oregon Story Board’s inaugural class, presented at its recent Demo Day on Jan. 9.

 

Since presenting at OEN’s Angel Oregon Spring 2014 Showcase, Hallspot founder Sean Thorne and his team closed $1 million in a third round of funding. The real-time deals app for college students also expanded beyond the University of Oregon campus to seven other campuses in Oregon, California, Washington, and Arizona.