OtherStartup PDX Challenge – New Sponsor & Services, Apps Due April 4th

With just a few days to go until the application deadline, Startup PDX Challenge continues to draw applications, interest and support – including the addition of a new venture capital sponsor. Tom Sperry, managing director of Rogue Venture Partners, will serve as VC-in-residence in the Startup PDX Challenge space. Rogue Ventures is a two-year-old fund committed to Oregon entrepreneurial development, investing in Oregon firms and other funds, including Upstart Labs and Portland Seed Fund.

Entrepreneurs with bright ideas have until Thursday to apply to the Startup PDX:Challenge, a competition to select up to six businesses to receive a package worth $40,000 per company – including a $10,000 working capital grant, a full year of rent-free office space in Portland’s Produce Row entrepreneurial district and in-kind services from the region’s top professional firms and accelerators. Facts, FAQ and the application are at www.startuppdxchallenge.com and applications are due by April 4, 2013.

All of the Challenge winners will co-locate at 1220 SE Grand Avenue, a 3,000 square foot ground level space with two conference rooms, a kitchenette, showers, and secure bike storage. For-profit startups in any industry are encouraged to apply – as are graduates and all applicants of PIE, Portland Seed Fund, Nike+Accelerator, and other incubators and accelerators.

The Challenge launched in February as the first of its kind on the West Coast and Portland’s next step in the creation of community, value and access for startups. With a solid foundation of public and private partnerships, the Challenge focuses on creating the next generation of successful Portland companies.