Calling for Seed and Early Stage Companies to Present

BVC is now accepting applications for seed and early stage companies to present at the event on October 17, 2008. Companies seeking investment between $100,000 and $1 million are invited to apply. Finalists will be competing for a (minimum) $100,000 investment award. Learn more about the terms.

“The Bend Venture Conference was a great opportunity for Elemental Technologies to hone its business model in front of experienced entrepreneurs, professional venture capitalists, and supportive angel fund investors. It was also inspiring to get to know the founders of other local startups and see the many tremendous ideas that are blossoming in the Northwest!”
        Samuel S. Blackman, Chairman and CEO
        Elemental Technologies
        BVC 2007 Presenting Company Winner

 

Benefits of Presenting to BVC

  • Expert coaching. All companies that apply will receive complimentary admission to the pre-conference workshop, "Top Ten Planning Mistakes in Venture Competitions", presented by Tim Berry, founder of Palo Alto Software. Its product, Business Plan Pro®, is targeted for the development of business plans.  Additionally, if your company is selected to present at BVC, you will receive valuable presentation coaching by Pam Stevenson, founder of Sprocket Consulting, to ensure your pitch will be aimed directly at the investor audience at BVC.
  • Valuable feedback. Our panel includes the region's premier seed and early stage investors. During your presentation, they will ask you tough questions about your business plan, business model, and value proposition. This is an exceptional training opportunity for future investor presentations. 
  • Experienced investors. Our audience is filled with angel investors and experienced institutional investors. The art of raising money is the art of building a network. As in past years, our presenting companies use this networking opportunity as a launching pad for completing successful rounds.
  • Expert business advisors. Our audience also includes an array of entrepreneurs, experienced business professionals and retired executives who are eager to provide advisory services and coach start-up companies. Each year, many of these people attend the conference to identify companies who they might be able to assist.
  • Wild Card opportunity. Even companies not selected as a finalist may have the opportunity to present. Up to 10 non-finalist companies will deliver one-minute pitches to the audience, who in turn vote for the most compelling presentation. The wild card winner will join the four finalists in pitching to our expert panel.

 

How to Apply

  • Complete the Application Form.
  • Complete the Executive Summary.
  • Complete the Company Overview.
  • Submit application fee of $195 (includes one admission to the conference as well as company representation in the conference packet distributed to all attendees).

Important Dates

  • September 12: Application deadline.
  • September 26: Finalists notified and follow-up interviews scheduled.
  • Weeks of September 29 and October 6: Companies work with investor group on diligence and presentations.
  • Thursday, October 16: Presenting companies arrive in Bend and rehearse presentations.

Submission Criteria

  • Company must be seeking seed stage investment between $100,000 and $1 million.
  • Company must be able to show how they will provide an adequate return on investment or liquidity event for the investors.

A Note About Confidentiality

Founders and key managers who form a startup company are naturally concerned about protecting the work they've done to create their product ideas and complete their market research. The various organizations and individuals, who are supporting the Bend Venture Conference and are contributing their time and expertise to support new startups, are sensitive to these concerns.

That said, companies who are applying to make investor presentations at the BVC will be far enough along with their companies that they will understand that sharing their business and product concepts with investors is an absolutely necessary step in creating relationships with potential investors in their company.

The individuals involved in selecting companies to make investor presentations will safeguard materials provided to BVC by startup companies, and will return materials provided whenever requested by those applying. That said, none of the organizations or individuals involved in BVC will sign non-disclosure agreements relating to materials provided.

BVC 2008 Disclaimer

BVC seeks to diligently recruit and encourage applications from the largest number of companies in a broad spectrum of industry classes. Among the BVC's goals are to provide an informative and relevant event; to attract the maximum number of investor attendees; and to provide investment opportunities for startup companies located in Central Oregon or willing to relocate to Central Oregon. As a result of the dynamic nature of the entrepreneurial community, BVC reserves the right, in its exclusive discretion, to exclude applicants who submit applications after the deadline; to work with applicants who meet the deadline but provide incomplete data; to recruit applicants after the deadline; and to consider non-applicants. In consideration of the opportunities provided by the BVC, applicants are subject to and agree to all terms provided by the BVC. All decisions shall be final and there is no mechanism for escalation or appeal.