November 2024
2024 Oregon Entrepreneurship Awards
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network and Presenting Sponsors Cushman & Wakefield and Umpqua Bank are excited to host the 2024 Oregon Entrepreneurship Awards on Wednesday, November 6th, 2024 starting at 5:00 pm at Sentinel Hotel in Portland.
– THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT –
Welcome Reception
The welcome reception in the Grand Ballroom kicks off at 5:00 pm.
This is the perfect in-person opportunity to rekindle relationships and make a new connections with other members of the regional entrepreneur ecosystem.
Awards Ceremony
The Awards Ceremony will take place in the Governor Ballroom starting at 6:30 pm. Gather inspiration from, and cheer on, the incredible finalists and winners in the following categories.
Early, Development and Growth Stage Awards encompass a variety of criteria including financial achievement, traction, team and social impact.
Early Stage Finalists
- Radious | Amina Moreau, Brian Hendrickson, and iLan Epstein, Co-Founders
- Rising Wines Collective | Cori Omundson and Sandra Everingham, Co-Founders
- 360Sierra | Paola Restrepo and Andres Vallejo, Co-Founders
Development Stage Finalists
- Bold Reuse | Jocelyn Quarrell and Heather Watkins, Co-Founders
- Digs | Ryan Fink and Ty Frackiewicz, Co-Founders
- Rock Paper Coin | Elizabeth Sheils and Nora Sheils, Co-Founders
Growth Stage Finalists
- Branwyn | Jeff Shafer, Founder
- Eclypsium | Yuriy Bulygin, Founder
- Idealist Consulting | Rob Jordan, Founder
Trailblazer will be awarded to an individual company that has demonstrated creativity, originality, and entrepreneurial spirit in its pursuit of new ideas and innovative solutions. Successfully paving a new way in existing markets, or creating new ones, through their strategies, products, services or approaches in their industries.
Trailblazer Finalists
- A Kid’s Co | Jelani Memory, Founder
- Photon Marine | Marcelino Alvarez, Charles Steinback, and Nick Schoeps, Co-Founders
- Wicked Saints Studios | Jessica Murrey and Alicia Clifton, Co-Founders
Entrepreneurial Achievement recognizes a founder or co-founding team who have led their company to success while demonstrating outstanding leadership.
Entrepreneurial Achievement Finalists
- Jelani Memory | Founder, A Kid’s Co
- Seth Tibbott | Founder, Tofurky
- Ellen Yin | Founder, Cubicle to CEO, Ellen Yin
Community Catalyst recognizes an individual or community organization that creates opportunities for connection, education and services in support of founders and entrepreneurs.
EDCO – Economic Development for Central Oregon
Founded in 1981, Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the regional economy and fostering the growth of middle-class jobs. EDCO’s work focuses on helping companies move, start and grow in the region through comprehensive business support, mentorship for scalable young companies and guided assistance for local traded-sector businesses. For over four decades, EDCO has played a pivotal role in transforming Central Oregon into a top-rated destination for business and innovation.
Chris Magaña
Chris is deeply committed to helping successful families and nonprofits secure their wealth and amplify it to create lasting impact. He’s a fierce advocate for financial empowerment and a champion of community upliftment. Chris is a part-time educator, relentless champion of economic mobility, and half-assed angel investor. He is driven by purpose, blending strategy and heart to protect and strengthen communities and fuel opportunities. His rallying cries, “Good grows good” and “Never for community, Always with community,” guide everything he does.
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO)
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon, more commonly known as MESO, was founded in 2005 to assist Black-owned small businesses in North and Northeast Portland in danger of being displaced by gentrification. The nonprofit now provides historically marginalized entrepreneurs in Oregon and Southwest Washington with advising, technical assistance, education and access to capital. Through culturally specific and customized support, MESO teaches youth about entrepreneurship, empowers young adults and adults to launch small businesses, and assists established businesses with succession planning to ensure they remain in the communities they serve.
2024 Emcee
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network is delighted to welcome Strategic Outreach Manager at Oregon Health & Science University, Co-Founder and President of Latino Founders and The Shades of Entrepreneurship Podcast Host, Gabriel Flores, as our 2024 Emcee.
Gabriel is a dynamic professional with a diverse background and an unwavering dedication to entrepreneurship and community advancement. Currently the Strategic Outreach Manager at Oregon Health & Science University and former President of the Board of Directors for the American Association of Physician Liaison, Gabriel excels in connecting individuals and organizations for impactful outcomes.
As President and co-Founder of the nonprofit Latino Founders, he actively fosters the development of generational wealth within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Gabriel’s commitment extends to his role as CEO of Creatively Insane, fostering innovation and creativity. With past ventures including SLM Apparel LLC and real estate endeavors, Gabriel’s multifaceted expertise fuels his holistic approach to success.
Gabriel also hosts The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ – The Podcast, sharing insights to inspire others on their entrepreneurial journeys. His dedication to positive change resonates in his work, leaving a lasting impact on individuals and communities alike.
After Party
Don’t rush off right after the awards!
There will be a lively celebration of all the finalists, winners and our amazing OEN community back in the Grand Ballroom following the Awards Ceremony.
Ticketing Information
The 2024 OEN Entrepreneurship Awards will include a Welcome Reception and After Party with heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. There will be no sit-down dinner.
- OEN Member: $100
- Non-Member $150
Help underwrite the Oregon Entrepreneurship Awards as a Community Builder or by purchasing a Party Pack. Contact Sarah Norris (sarah@oen.org) to coordinate your Awards engagement.
- Community Builder: $2,500
Includes eight (8) tickets to the Awards, complimentary tickets gifted to regional entrepreneurs on your behalf, and recognition on the website, in the event program, and on signage at the Awards. - Party Pack: $1,500
This opportunity includes eight (8) tickets to the Awards and recognition in the event program.
Entrepreneurship Awards Sponsorship
CLICK HERE to find available sponsorship opportunities, and contact Sarah Norris (sarah@oen.org) if your organization would like to discuss sponsoring the 2024 OEN Entrepreneurship Awards.
Thank You Sponsors
Community Builders
Bank of America
IMS Capital
Miller Nash
Perkins & Co.
University of Portland
614 SW 11th Ave
Portland, bbOR
Pitch, Please: November
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.
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, November 19th
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Cost: Free
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, NOVEMBER 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.
November Feedback Panel
Luis Balderas Villagrana
Program Director
Venture Partners
Shelley Midthun
Director of Operations & Growth
3/Thirds
Angel Oregon Life & Bioscience: Investment Announcement Mixer
Angel Oregon Life & Bioscience is the premier Pacific Northwest investment program hosted by Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) for life and bioscience entrepreneurs.
Join us for the Angel Oregon Life & Bioscience (AOBIO) Investment Announcement Mixer, to be held in person on Thursday, November 21st, 2024, 4:00 – 7:00 pm at Mission Theater in Portland. A special evening celebrating innovations in the life and bioscience industry.
Regional startup founders will be in the running to earn an equity investment from the Angel Oregon Life & Bioscience (AOBIO) investor group and will pitch their companies on the main stage.
At the end of the day will be the BIG CHECK MOMENT where AOBIO Investors will announce which of the finalists will receive the investment, which is more than $100,000!
And if you like what you see on stage attendees are welcome to join the Angel Oregon Life & Bioscience investment fund up until the close of the event, please contact Cara Turano for additional information.
ANGEL OREGON LIFE & BIOSCIENCE FINALISTS
- Axia Orthopedics: A joint surgery clamp replacement Class I medical device transforming the most challenging aspects of fracture fixation surgery.
CEO: Andy Seykora - ESG Brands: A climate-positive, socially-driven natural fiber manufacturing company, harnessing the power of nature to elevate industries and enrich lives.
CEO & Co-Founder: Chase Kahmann - NeuraMedica: A device start-up company makes bioabsorbable clips to replace sutures for closing wounds during neurosurgery.
Founder: Rachel Dreilinger - Savorease Therapeutics: On a mission to transform food choices for people on a soft diet.
Founder: Reva Barewal - Synplexity: Creating a bigger, faster, cheaper gene library synthesis.
Co-Founder: Craig Stolarczyk
TICKETS
- OEN Member: $15
- Non-Member: $25
THANK YOU SPONSORS
1624 NW Glisan
Portlnad, bbOR
December 2024
December: 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, December 4th 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.
- Drop by and get answers to your IP questions from Miller Nash’s IP experts.
- Schedule time with Yalda Moshiri, Angel Oregon Program Director, to discuss how our 2025 Angel Oregon programming can support your future growth.
- Meet with Portland Seed Fund to discuss your business plans, opportunities/challenges, and funding needs.
- Meet with Rodney Songster of Human Interest to talk about setting up 401k plans for yourself and future employees.
So, join for the full day, or just for a portion of the day, and get connected with other regional entrepreneurs.
*Upon registration participants in December: Co-Work with OEN will be invited to sign up online to schedule time to meet Yalda Moshiri, Portland Seed Fund, and Human Interest throughout the day.
Noon Program
We’ll take a break at noon and enjoy boxed lunches and our presentation Entrepreneur AMA (Ask Me Anything) where seasoned founders and entrepreneurs will take questions from the group on subjects impacting your business — the good, the bad and the ugly.
Aja Beckett
Founder
Shotsy
John Furukawa
Consultant
Yalda Moshiri
Angel Oregon Director – Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
Co-Founder – SaF
Mike White
Strategic Advisor – Willamette Equity Advisors
Founder – Best Damn BBQ Sauce
Details
Location: Kiln – 1120 SE Madison St, Portland, OR 97214
Date: Wednesday, December 4th
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: OEN Founder/Start-Up Members – All Day: $25, Morning or Afternoon Sessions: $15
Non-Members – All Day: $40, Morning or Afternoon Sessions: $25
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 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, November 18th.
- Lunch and beverages will be provided throughout the day. Options will be provided to participants in advance of the event.
THANK YOU
1120 SE Madison St
Portland, bbOR
Navigating the Business Lifecycle for High-Voltage Performance
Join Oregon Entrepreneurs Network and our partners at Project Revolution for an interactive workshop that will take you through the essential phases of your business lifecycle, from infancy through prime on Monday, December 9th starting at 8:30 am on Zoom.
Jeremiah Hammon, PMP and Founder of Project Revolution will help you recognize where you are, implement proven validation process to ensure product-market fit, and provide tools to anticipate and solve key challenges before they become catastrophic. You will leave with a clear understanding of how to optimize your business for sustainable growth and peak performance.
By the end of the session, you will have a clear action plan to move your business from its current phase to the next stages.
Session Focus Points:
- Understand the phases of business development: Infancy (Validation), Toddler (Start-Up), Ramp-Up, Build-Up, Scale-Up (Growth), Adolescence (Leadership), and Prime (Market Domination).
- Implement a proven validation process to ensure product-market fit and to understand key transition points between phases.
- Use progressive elaboration to continuously refine and improve your strategy as your business grows.
- Create a gap analysis to identify critical areas for improvement and build operational strength.
- Leverage the “High Voltage Engine Framework” to optimize productivity, avoid burnout, and ensure consistent high-energy performance.
Their seasoned team will provide examples and tangible advice for you to nail that first impression!
Details
Location: Zoom
Date: Monday, December 9th
Time: 8:30 am – 10:00 am
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 December PubTalk: A Look Forward
As the startup world swiftly evolves, it’s crucial for founders, investors, and enthusiasts to stay ahead of the curve. With new technologies, changing market demands, and the global economy, what type of opportunities and challenges await entrepreneurs in 2025?
The expansion of generative AI and custom machine learning, the digitization of business processes, and a focus on sustainability, social responsibility, and customer-centric businesses are shaping the current business landscape. Additionally, remote and hybrid work, the growth of the gig economy, and emerging sectors are creating new innovation opportunities. Entrepreneurs who adapt to these changes will be well-prepared to navigate the evolving landscape and seize new opportunities in the years to come.
On Wednesday, December 11th join Oregon Entrepreneurs Network and our partner Willamette University – MBA for a conversation about key trends that will shape entrepreneurship in 2025, and how companies can proactively adapt and innovate, and prepare for what is to come.
Details
Location: Brandlive, 3303 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227, (the venue does not offer on-site parking. There is street parking available)
Time: 5:00 – 7:30pm
Hashtag: #OENPubTalk
Cost: $15 for OEN members; $25 for non-members. *Sorry, no refunds.*
To Be Served: Darwoft Malbec, Deschutes Brewing, For Bitter for Worse, and more!
Not yet an OEN member? Join today, and you can get a free pass to a PubTalk!
Moderator
Lestarya Molloy
Founder
Fridie Outdoors
Panelists
Shashi Jain
Venture Partner
Portland Seed Fund
Ricardo López
Investment Strategist, Oregon Growth Board
Business Oregon
Jim Ostler
Assistant Professor of Strategic Management
Willamette University
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.
3303 N Mississippi Ave
Portland, bbOR
Pitch, Please December (Live In Vancouver)
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 December as we head to Riff_ Agency in Vancouver on Tuesday, December 17th 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: Riff_Agency 610 Esther St Ste 200, Vancouver, WA 98660
Date: Tuesday, December 17th
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, DECEMBER 13TH.
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.
December Feedback Panel
Alan Hwang
Chief Executive Officer
Riff_
Jess Jensen
Founder
Co-Pilot Communications
Victor Saldanha
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Program Manager
City of Vancouver
Thank You
610 Esther St Ste 200
Vancouver, bbWA