A chapter of OEN.org Oregon Entrepreneurs Network

Media Advisory: Meet Our Region’s Super Entrepreneurs

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Caroline Cummings, Smart-ups Co-founder | Director of  Entrepreneurial Development at the Eugene Chamber of Commerce

carolineineugene@gmail.com | 541-968-2982

DM via Twitter @iamcarolina

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superman-E on chest

First-Ever Start-up Expo in Eugene, Oregon

The hottest/hippest super entrepreneurs will be showcasing their cool innovations on Aug 26th

 

Smart-ups, a program of the Eugene Chamber of Commerce, is hosting its first-ever Start-up Expo at the Valley River Inn on August 26, 2010 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet our region’s coolest and hippest Super Entrepreneurs as they come out of their garages, back offices, home offices and university research labs, to showcase their start-up super powers.

WHO

Entrepreneurs — showcase their start-up companies, and share their entrepreneurial Super Powers with their peers, investors, service providers and the media. Industries represented include: software, clean/green tech, Internet-based, biotechnology and consumer goods.

Exhibiting Companies Currently Registered:

Arcimoto (electric vehicle)

Dune Sciences (nano technology)

Elements Naturals (natural, compostable baby wipes)

Floragenex (bio technology/planet genomics)

Forward Thinking (internet media and hardware)

Good Clean Love (consumer goods/natural intimacy products)

IDX, Inc (internet/real estate technology market)

Incisive (spreadsheet analysis solutions)

Investing Ventures (factor services/alternative commercial finance solutions)

Moonshadow Mobile (content management system/mobile-optimized Web site and mobile apps)

One Click Sports Now (internet/sports news advertising platform)

Opa Cove (consumer goods/fun-themed life jackets for kids)

Pharmacopia Herbals (consumer goods/herbal extracts)

Planet Verde (internet/sustainable e-commerce)

Precision Plant Systems (technology/agriculture field measurement hardware and software)

Rainwild Rehabilitation (medical devices/robotic-assisted fine-motor therapy device)

Restaurant Tech (internet/restaurant training software)

Sipping Dreams (consumer goods/drinkable chocolate)

UGo Furniture (consumer goods/easy-to-move and assemble furniture)

VizMe (social media)

Investors, Service Providers and the Media — meet the hottest/hippest start-up companies in our region and the Superhero Entrepreneurs starting, running and growing them. 

Sponsors of this event include: Title (Endeavor Law Group); Supporting (Palo Alto Software, Moss Adams LLP, and Pacific Continental Bank).

WHAT:  

Smart-ups is a program of the Eugene Chamber of Commerce, and a chapter of the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network headquartered in Portland.  Smart-ups was started by two entrepreneurs in Feb 2008. Smart-ups hosts eight “pub-talks” a year where the focus is to provide emerging growth/traded sector start-up companies with education, access to capital and networking.  This Start-up Expo is our first event of this type and we will be featuring up to 20 start-up companies from our region.

WHERE:  

Valley River Inn, McKenzie Ballroom | 1000 Valley River Way, Eugene, OR 97401-2115

WHEN:  

Thursday, August 26, 2010 | 5 – 8PM

WHY:  

The Willamette Valley has numerous emerging growth start-up companies, but most people are not aware of these companies and/or the entrepreneurs starting, running and growing them. Many of these companies are started in garages, back offices, home-based offices and university labs – so they are under the radar of most people in the community. You may remember the Willamette Angel Conference that was hosted in Eugene for the first-time this past May – where Eugene-based start-up Good Clean Love walked away with a $165,000 seed investment prize. There are many “firsts” happening in our community related to supporting entrepreneurship. Don’t miss this next first!

This Start-up Expo will give people the opportunity to mingle with these Super Entrepreneurs and see the exciting new innovations coming out of our region. Investors, entrepreneurs, lawyers, bankers, accountants, educators, politicians, students, and people from the media are encouraged to attend this event.

HOW:  Online registration is closed – you can pay at the door…

Fees:

$20 if you pre-registered ($25 at the door)

$15 for Eugene and Corvallis Chamber and SAO members

$10 for students

Table Space to Showcase Company: + $29 (when you display you get an extra free ticket into the event)

The following individuals are also available for interviews:

Dave Hauser | president of the Eugene Chamber of Commerce

Caroline Cummings | co-founder of Smart-ups, and leader of the Eugene Chamber’s entrepreneurial efforts; regional representative for the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network

Don Gerhart | associate vice president for research and innovation, UO, and member of the Eugene Chamber’s Entrepreneurial Advisory Board

Tim Berry | founder/president of Palo Alto Software, sponsor of Smart-ups, member of the Smart-ups Committee, and local angel investor

 

# # #

Mini Pub-Talk at WiN in Corvallis

November 11, 2010
4:00 pmto7:00 pm

Smart-ups usually hosts an Ignite-Style pitch competition in November. This year we are hosting a mini Pub-Talk event with the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network November 11th at the Willamette Innovators Night in Corvallis.

 

More info soon to come…

Fall Pub-Talk: Opa Cove’s Start-up Story

September 23, 2010
9:00 amto3:00 pm

“Wolves and Angels”

Location: Oregon Electric Station, Eugene | directions

Register: Click here [$20 - includes food and bev | $15 for Eugene Chamber, Corvallis Chamber and SAO members | $10 for students | $25 at the door]

*** And bring your business cards because we’re bringing back the “5 Minutes of Start-up Fame” – where you can enter into a drawing for an opportunity to deliver a 5 minute pitch about your start-up company! ***

opacove logo

 

 

 

Rich-BarbisRich Barbis – CEO and founder of Opa Cove™ will share his story about starting, running and growing his emerging growth company – including how to know the difference between the “Wolves” and the “Angels” out there!

One of the best learning opportunities is listening to other entrepreneurs share their stories – learn from their successes and their mistakes. Rich will talk about the importance of his business plan, deciding on the right way to structure his company (LLC v. C-Corp, v S-Corp) – including why this is so important, the manufacturing of his prototype, the importance of the right attorney at the right time – and ultimately – launching his product into the market. Visit www.opacove.com for more information.

 

Opa Cove creates Neoprene water safety products that are safe and fun for kids ages 2-7.

*** And bring your business cards because we’re bringing back the “5 Minutes of Start-up Fame” – where you can enter into a drawing for an opportunity to deliver a 5 minute pitch about your start-up company! ***

opa cove-kid in vestopacove-kid2

 

Thanks to our great sponsors for supporting entrepreneurship in our community!

TITLE SPONSOR:

endeavorlawlogo

 

SUPPORTING SPONSORS:

pas-small

moss-adams-logo

pcb-logo

 

Smart-ups Summer Social – Start-up Expo

August 26, 2010
5:00 pmto8:00 pm

Entrepreneurs — showcase your start-up company, and share your entrepreneurial Super Powers with your peers, investors, service providers and the media!

superhero-E file

 

Investors, Service Providers and the Media — meet the hottest/hippest start-up companies in our region and the Superhero Entrepreneurs starting, running and growing them. 

Location: Valley River Inn, McKenzie Ballroom

Save the Date: Aug 26th (5-8pm)

 

Registration: Online registration closed | Pay at the Door (see Fees below). 

Fees:

$20 if you pre-registered ($25 at the door)

$15 for Eugene and Corvallis Chamber and SAO members

$10 for students

Thanks to our great sponsors for supporting entrepreneurship in our community!

TITLE SPONSOR:

endeavorlawlogo

 

SUPPORTING SPONSORS:

pas-small

moss-adams-logo

pcb-logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Willamette Angel Conference

May 13, 2010
8:00 amto4:30 pm

SAVE THIS DATE!

 

This will be held at the McDonald Theatre in Eugene. Visit www.willametteconference.com for more info…

The Coconut Bliss Story – Speed Pitches – Investor Feedback

April 22, 2010
5:00 pmto8:00 pm

 

Click here to register to attend

Luna_Larry-in fieldLarry Kaplowitz (co-founder of of Luna and Larry’s Coconut Bliss) will share his personal story about how he and his co-founder (Luna Marcus) started, grew and sold their business in less than 6 years. Hear how they started the business with just $10,000, how they quickly became cash-flow positive, how they built their team, marketed their business, hit their first million, explored partnerships — and ultimately sold  their business.

 

Larry has truly come full-circle. He’s now excited to become an angel investor and share his knowledge and skills with other local start-up companies. Larry is a member of the Willamette Angel Conference investor LLC. You won’t want to miss hearing his amazing story!

Following Larry’s talk we’ll begin the “Speed Pitch” competition (where Larry is one of the investor panelists – see other investors below…).

speed pitch-baseball w fireCalling Oregon-based Start-up Companies to Deliver a Speed Pitch! There’s no fee to submit, no fee to present and presenting companies do not pay a fee to attend — so you have nothing to loose and a lot to gain!

Location: Oregon Electric Station  Directions

27 East 5th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97401-2616

Time: 5 – 8pm

Fee: $20 if you pre-register ($25 at the door); $15 for Eugene and Corvallis Chamber and SAO members, $10 for students

Register to attend by clicking here

Includes food and beverages   |    Note: Seats are limited! 

Speed Pitches: 3 minutes each to pitch, 3 minutes of real investor feedback

The audience will vote for the winner – and the one winner will receive a free hour of coaching from the Executive Team for the Willamette Angel Conference (includes investors, entrepreneurs, and lawyers). Note: Any start-up in Oregon is eligible to submit to pitch at Smart-ups — including those who submitted to pitch at the WAC and those who have not submitted to pitch at the WAC. All investors from the WAC will be invited to attend this event, and the investor panel are members of the WAC Investor LLC – so this allows for a great educational and networking opportunity.

Investor Panelists Include:

tim berryTim Berry | president and founder of Palo Alto Software

Investor in the 2009 and 2010 Willamette Angel Conference LLC

 

 

 

scott larsonScott Larson | Bend Venture Catalyst at EDCO

Founder of Vashon Partners | Seasoned Entrepreneur

 

 

 

 

larry kaplowitzLarry Kaplowitz | Co-founder of Luna and Larry’s Coconut Bliss

Investor in the 2010 Willamette Angel Conference LLC

 

 

 

 

Entrepreneurs Wanting to Pitch at This Event:

  • Create a single slide (slide should include your company logo, tag line, and no more than 7 bullets describing what’s unique about your business)
  • Submit your single slide to Smart-ups by clicking here – you will be contacted if selected to deliver a speed pitch at the pub-talk. Note: Up to 10 companies be be selected to deliver Speed Pitches
  • Deadline to submit is 5pm, April 9th.
  • If selected to deliver a Speed Pitch you will be given 3 minutes to pitch your business (you will be timed).
  • Tips for what to say in your 3 minutes include: your name/title, the problem in the market you’re product is addressing, 2-3 sentences that describes your business, your target market, how you will generate revenue, your competitive advantage/value proposition, and key team members/advisers
  • The investor panel will take 3 minutes to ask you questions/share suggestions.
  • The audience will vote for the company they feel delivered the best pitch. The winner will receive one free hour of coaching from the WAC Executive Team
  • Rehearse! Rehearse! Rehearse!

Thanks to our great sponsors for supporting entrepreneurship in our community!

TITLE SPONSOR:

endeavorlawlogo

 

SUPPORTING SPONSORS:

pas-small

moss-adams-logo

pcb-logo

oen logo with text

 

 

Dissolved Start-ups – Hear What Happened

January 21, 2010
5:00 pmto8:00 pm

We all know that starting a business is very difficult —- well dissolving one is even more challenging! This panel is going to be one of the most educational events of the year. You’ll get to hear the good, bad and ugly from a panel of your peers. These entrepreneurs will share the valuable lessons they learned in their respective start-ups. They each have a very different story to share, and these lessons could change how you start, run and grow your start-up.

Location: Oregon Electric Station | directions

Fee: $20 if you pre-register; $25 at the door, $15 for Eugene and Corvallis Chamber and SAO members; $10 for students (present valid ID at the door)

Click Here to Register

Panelists:

luke sontagLUKE SONTAG

co-founder of Vidoop

password-based authentication system

 

 

peter vomocilPETER VOMOCIL

co-founder of TakeShape (body scanning technology)

dissolved in December 2008

 

 

cummingsCAROLINE CUMMINGS

co-founder of OsoEco (Web 2.0/healthy social shopping)

dissolved in December 2008

 

Thanks to our great sponsors for supporting entrepreneurship in our community!

TITLE SPONSOR:

endeavorlawlogo

 

 

SUPPORTING SPONSORS:

pas-small

moss-adams-logo

pcb-logo

 

“Meet the Investors” Pub-talk

At the October 1st Smart-ups “Meet Investors” Pub-talk at the Oregon Electric Station, attendees were able to gain insight from three Willamette Angel Conference investors.  Those investors were Tim Berry, founder of Palo Alto Software; Nick Fowler, founder of Orion Ventures, LCC and CEO of Perpetua Power Source Technologies; and Christopher Klemm, director of OSU’s Austin Entrepreneurship Program. Anne Carney Nelson, having experience in investing in young technology companies, was a great moderator in asking the investors why certain companies were chosen for (or won) the WAC and why some were not.

 

Some of the most helpful pieces of advice?

·      Tim: A thorough and to the point executive summary and a great pitch are essential.

·      Steve: Go where the venture capitalists aren’t; the markets where people aren’t begging for money. Market research is key and do your due diligence!

·      Chris: Get experience!

 

The business card selected at the end of the pub-talk to give a five-minute elevator pitch was that of Keern Haslem, founder of Hogan’s Angle.

 

On a side note, local start-up Acrimoto was a an exhibitor at last week’s Lane County Home Show and will be a vendor at next month’s Seattle Auto Show.

 

 

 

Winner of the first annual WAC Announced…

Thanks to Craig Gray for filming the conference and sharing these video clips – more to come…Find more videos like this on Smart-ups

CenterSpace (Corvallis-based) wins the $125K

centersapce-wins-wac-2009


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CORVALLIS, Ore. – May 14, 2009 — The Willamette Angel Conference announced today that CenterSpace Software was selected as the winner of its inaugural 2009 investment competition, held in Corvallis. Corvallis-based CenterSpace Software, which provides numerical software components for financial, engineering, and scientific applications, will receive the $125,000 angel award investment prize.

 

Floragenex, a Eugene based firm that develops and delivers innovative, flexible applications of emerging genomic tools and technology, received a non-monetary vote of confidence, as the winner of  audience balloting for the best presentation.

 

“We are excited to bring a spotlight on to the breadth and depth of Willamette Valley Start-ups, and to expose these entrepreneurs to investors from around the Pacific Northwest,” said John Sechrest, Economic Development Director of the Corvallis-Benton Chamber Coalition, and Chair of the Willamette Angel Conference. “The  quality of the business plans, and the support from the investor community show how vibrant the entrepreneurial economy is here in the valley.  The collaboration between Corvallis and Eugene on this event, with the support of OSU and U of O, creates a strong center for  turning the innovations into commercial successes. “

 

This year’s finalist companies were selected from over  40 companies based throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington that applied to compete at the Willamette Angel Conference 2009. A rigorous selection process was undertaken by the 25-member panel of active angel investors to select the winning company. Each investor staked $5,000 to create the $125,000 investment award for this year’s event.

 

This was the first annual Willamette Angel Conference, which is modeled after successful similar events run by the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, and the Bend Venture Conference.   Next year the conference will be run by The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, and will be held in Eugene.

 

About the Willamette Angel Conference

The Willamette Angel Conference is an investors conference, connecting early stage and seed businesses with angel and venture investors in the Willamette Valley.  Their mission is to encourage, accelerate and showcase start-up companies in the Willamette Valley and  across Oregon. The competition is expected to have real economic impact in the Willamette Valley, generating new business and jobs using local entrepreneurs, talent and intellectual property. For more information see www.willametteconference.com.

 

Special thanks to all the great sponsors!

Title Organizers:

cbcc-logo-color          eugene-area-chamber-horiz-logo

Premiere Sponsor

endeavorlawlogo

 

 

 

Organizational Sponsors

osu            uo

Grand Sponsors

pas-small            davies-grp

Smart-ups Ignite Pitch Pub-Talk

November 19, 2009
5:00 pmto8:00 pm

Ignite Pitch Competition

Location: Oregon Electric Station | 27 E. 5th Ave, Eugene | directions

Time: 5 – 8pm

Register: $20 if your pre-register; $25 at the door; $15 for Eugene and Corvallis Chamber members; $10 for students (INCLUDES FOOD AND BEV)

Click here to register

Come and vote for the company you think has the most viable business plan. Audience members will be given a fake million dollar bill and asked to give it to the company they think deserves to win. Come out and support the amazing and talented start-ups companies in our region!

*** You must submit your executive summary and your 13 slides BEFORE 5pm, October 19th.

Please click here for submission guidelines.

ignite-eugeneThis Smart-ups is going to be an Ignite-style business plan competition (13 slides, slides automatically advance every 15 seconds = 3.5 minutes to pitch your business plan). It’s an exciting competition – one you won’t want to miss! Click here to view Ignite Pitches from Feb 2009 Pub-Talk.

Any emerging growth start-up company (with an “investor-ready” plan) in the Willamette Valley can submit for the opportunity to present at this pub-talk. The audience will vote for the best overall pitch/plan.

 Note: Ignite Eugene is a business-plan pitch competition sponsored by Smart-ups and is not affiliated with the worldwide network of O’Rielly Ignite community events.

The winner of this event will receive two prizes:

  • The winner will feed into the Willamette Angel Conference submission process (conference is May 13, 2010 in Eugene) – meaning they will have their $199 conference submission fee waived, and receive additional coaching from the conference’s Selection Committee (consisting of investors, and seasoned entrepreneurs). Up to six companies will be selected to pitch.
  • The winner will also receive 20 hours of business consulting donated by Moss Adams LLP. These free services will follow Moss Adams’ SCORE (Systems, Control and Operations Risk Evaluation) consulting services. This prize is estimated at $4500 in value.


*** You must submit your executive summary and your 13 slides BEFORE 5pm, October 19th.

Please click here for submission guidelines.

 

Thanks to our great sponsors for supporting entrepreneurship in our community!

TITLE SPONSOR:

endeavorlawlogo

 

 

 

SUPPORTING SPONSORS:

pas-small

 

 

moss-adams-logo