Congratulations to Josh Bradley (president/co-founder) of Medford-based start-up, ShopDragon, for winning the Smart-ups Ignite-style business plan competition on November 19th. ShopDragonis an evolutionary software company developing a hosted e-commerce platform designed to empower small businesses.
ShopDragon was awarded a waived entrance fee (valued at $199) into the May 13, 2010 Willamette Angel Conference taking place in Eugene at the McDonald Theatre. The company also receives 20 free hours (valued at $4500) of financial consulting from Moss Adams LLP.
“Each of the companies that participated gave a strong presentation. We feel fortunate to have had the vote of confidence from the people in the audience to go forward and participate in the Willamette Angel Conference next spring,” said ShopDragon’s president, Josh Bradley.
Thank you to all of the presenting companies – and thank you to our great sponsors for continuing to support entrepreneurship and innovation in our community…
Here’s our own local entrepreneur, Brian Parks (CEO/founder of Chopstick Art) on the new ABC reality series called Shark Tank. Check out the video to see if he gets funded by the sharks… NOTE: his segment begins at 11:30 if you want to fast forward to it.
Shark Tank is a new show on ABC that launched this past week. It’s very dramatic – of course, but somewhat entertaining. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t think this is a real company. I think it’s ABC’s way of adding drama to the show. What do you think?
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 ofaudience 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 forturning the innovations into commercial successes. “
This year’s finalist companies were selected from over40 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.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Olympic Mills Building
107 SE Washington Street
Portland, OR Get directions
The second annual Big Idea Bash will provide entrepreneurs powerful introductions to a dozen top northwest venture capitalists and a chance to pitch their ideas. Register for a 5 minute “speed pitch,” meet other Oregon entrepreneurs and Oregon State Treasurer Ben Westlund. Join us for complimentary food-and-drink and learn more about all Oregon funding opportunities. This is a no-cost event.
Congratulations to Josh Bradley (president/co-founder) of Medford-based start-up, ShopDragon, for winning the Smart-ups Ignite-style business plan competition on November 19th. ShopDragon is an evolutionary software company developing a hosted e-commerce platform designed to empower small businesses. 
