Inspiration & AdviceTop 16 OEN member success stories of 2016

When OEN members reach big milestones, we like to celebrate! What better way to ring in the New Year than by paying tribute to the hard-won successes of our hardworking entrepreneurs?

See how our members kicked butt in 2016:

Nouvola Joins Jaguar Land Rover Tech Incubator to Optimize Software Performance in Connected Cars

Nouvola joined the Fall 2016 Cohort of the Jaguar Land Rover Tech Incubator. The fast-growing startup is one of three companies selected by Jaguar Land Rover this quarter in a nationwide search for emerging technologies positioned to disrupt the automotive industry and define the future of mobility.

New Yellow Scope Science Kit Selected as 2017 Toy of the Year Award Finalists

Yellow Scope released its new Acids, Bases and pH Chemistry Kit, which was selected as one of 100 finalists from 700 nominees, for the prestigious Toy of the Year Awards. The winners will be announced on February 17, 2017.

Formerly Homeless Founder of Camions of Care Wins L’Oreal Paris Women of Worth $10,000 Grant

Each year, L’Oréal Paris and Points of Light recognize, celebrate and support Women of Worth, who make a beautiful difference in their communities. Nadya Okamoto, founder of Camions of Care, which distributes feminine hygiene products to women in need, won a $10,000 grant to support her cause.

Scout Military Discount takes home $125,000 from the Bend Venture Conference

Scout Military Discount, an app that allows the military community to receive discounts, was selected as one of 12 winners at the 13th Annual Bend Venture Conference. Scout was one of five winners in the Growth Stage Competition, which included companies with a proven concept and initial revenues,

PDC partner Elevate Capital announces investments in RFPIO and Goumikids

Elevate Capital announced that it has completed the first close of its $3 million Elevate Inclusive Fund and $10 million Elevate Capital Fund and has made investments in its first cohort of six women and minority entrepreneur-led startups. Among them were OEN members Goumikids, a kids apparel company with deep roots in social mission and sustainability, and RFPIO, a response management solution that eliminates the friction often associated with responding to RFPs and significantly reduces cost of managing the RFP process for businesses. RFPIO also won $350,000 at the 2016 Bend Venture Conference.

Pensole announces reality TV deal and founder D’Wayne Edwards lands Upstart 100 honors

Pensole Footwear Design Academy is coming to the small screen. The Portland-based school for aspiring footwear designers on Monday announced a deal with 10X10 Entertainment and Lagardére Sports to produce an eight-episode reality TV show. Pensole founder D’Wayne Edwards also earned a spot on the prestigious national Upstart 100 list, which honors business leaders based on such qualifications as their innovative practices, their effect on their industries and the impact they have on their communities.

TryEco wins Cascadia CleanTech Grand Prize

TryEco, which makes absorbent polymer soil additives that hold water until needed for growing crops, was awarded $10,000 for winning the Cascadia CleanTech grand prize, as well as the growth category.

KnKt’d Behavioral Health One of 10 Startups in 2016 Health Wildcatters Class

Among the 10 healthcare startups chosen for the 2016 Health Wildcatters accelerator class was KnKt’d Behavioral Health, which changes patients’ journey through the behavioral health systems. Health Wildcatters is an accelerator that helps fund and mentor young healthcare startups, and accepts only 5 to 7 percent of the companies that apply.

ClientJoy wins Pitch Black competition

Following their first-place win in Early-Stage category at OEN’s 2016 Angel Oregon Showcase, ClientJoy went on to win Pitch Black, which featured 10 entrepreneurs pitching before a sold-out crowd of more than 200 people.

Wildfang readies U.S. expansion, and CEO Emma Mcilroy is one of 14 leaders to watch in 2016

A $2 million funding round will be used to develop more private-label products and expand the retailer’s footprint, as expected after Wildfang opened a store last year in the former Martinotti’s spot downtown. The Portland-based company has now cemented its place as one of the darlings of the city’s robust apparel startups roster. CEO Emma Mcilroy was also named an Executive of the Year by the Portland Business Journal.

Cloudability collects $24M, prepares for major expansion

Cloud cost management startup Cloudability snagged $24 million from investors as it addresses the ever-growing amount of data its clients generate.The series B round was led by existing investor Foundry Group; the funding will fuel further product development and help the company beef up its field sales team.

Wild Friends Foods and Collexion join Portland Seed Fund portfolio

The eighth class of the Portland Seed Fund took the stage before 100 investors in downtown Portland, completing the latest cycle of the accelerator. The portfolio included OEN members Wild Friends Foods, which makes an array of nut butters, and Collexion, a visual search engine for collectibles. Collexion also won OEN’s 2016 Angel Oregon Growth Stage Category, walking away with an investment of over $250,000.

Mad Fish Digital is one of 30 fastest-growing tech firms in Portland

Mad Fish Digital, a digital marketing agency with an emphasis on analytics and customized strategies, has grown its revenue by 143% from 2013 to 2015.

Audibility’s custom-fit headphones find early Kickstarter success; hit fundraising goal in 24 hours

Gilbert Resendez and Brian Carter want to bring hyper-custom headphones to the masses. In just under 24 hours, they got closer to that goal. The duo are the founders of Audibility, a Portland startup making headphones that shape to fit your ear. They launched a $10,000 Kickstarter on May 18. By May 19, it was fully backed with another 29 days to raise funds. They continued on to raise a total of over $15,000.

Lumen Learning Wins the 2016 Oregon Tech Award for Emerging Company

The Technology Association of Oregon honored companies in seven categories in the 2016 Oregon Tech Awards. Lumen Learning, which helps colleges and universities use open educational resources to reduce the cost of courseware for students, won the Emerging Company Award for companies with up to $3 million in revenue.

Eliot’s Adult Nut Butters Makes Food & Wine’s List of 6 Must-Buy Condiments for 2016 and is named among 51 best Oregon groceries

Food & Wine says, “We love this cashew butter from Eliot’s Adult Nut Butters because it can play double duty and go sweet or savory.” The Oregonian also chose the sophisticated nut butter line as one of the 51 best Oregon groceries.

See all OEN member news here. Are you an OEN member that reached a big milestone in 2016? Use the comments section below to let us know so we can share the news!