| Bend Venture Conference highlights |
Facebook VP Jonathan Heiliger to headline Bend Venture Conference October 15
It’s not every day you get to be in the same room with Facebook’s VP of Technical Operations. But October 15th is one of those days. Jonathan Heiliger, VP of Technical Operations for Facebook, will deliver the keynote speech at the 2010 Bend Venture Conference, “Our Growing Social Economy: An Inside Look with Facebook.”
Drawing on his considerable expertise in technology development, operational excellence and venture capital choices, Heiliger will discuss what makes a great technology product and what makes a great entrepreneur. He’ll address the strategic challenges Facebook has encountered on its phenomenal growth path since its inception in 2004. Additionally, Heiliger will explore current communication trends, commenting on how Facebook both drives and responds to them.
Register now for the Bend Venture Conference, and save $50 with early bird pricing -- only available through September 17th.
Entrepreneurs: Apply to present at 2010 Bend Venture Conference by September 10th -- $175,000 up for grabs
If you have a start-up company seeking between $100,000 and $1 million, you are encouraged to enter the Bend Venture competition. Fifteen entrepreneurs will be chosen to pitch their business ideas to a full audience of venture funders and angel investors at the Bend Venture Conference. The audience helps narrow down the finalists, and one winner is awarded the competition’s prize, up to $175,000.
Think
ing of entering? Remember: revenue generating businesses nearing cash-flow positive status will have the best chance of presenting. Qualifying companies will represent these industry sectors:
- Clean Tech & Renewable Energy
- Bio Tech
- High Tech
- Consumer Products & Services
To enter the competition, complete the online application by Friday, September 10.
| Business news in Central Oregon |
Inc. Fastest 500 list released, Bend company one of two Oregon companies listed
Periodi
cal Inc. Magazine, a publication focused on small businesses, published its survey of the nation’s fastest growing companies. For the second year in a row, Bend-based G5 Search Marketing made the list with three year revenue growth of 1,236%, placing it at #248. Last year, the company was ranked #146, actually with a slightly lower growth rate of 1,208%. The ranking comes before G5 secured $15 million in equity capital last month. The only other Oregon company to make the list was Portland-based Virtualosity Solutions at #160.
In the West, Oregon (pop. 3.8 million) tied with Nevada (pop. 2.6 million) and Idaho (pop. 1.5 million) with the same number of companies on the list, while neighboring Washington (pop. 6.7 million) had 15 of the nation’s fastest growing companies, Colorado (pop. 5.0 million) had 16, and relatively unpopulated Utah (pop. 2.8 million) had 13. California (pop. 36.9million), which dominated the list overall, had nearly one-fifth of all the fastest-growing firms in the U.S. with 93 in the top 500. On a per capita basis, Oregon ranked the lowest among these peer states while Utah ranked the highest followed by Colorado and California.
While this is only one measure of small business success and growth and for only one three-year timeframe, it does illuminate a relative dearth of high profile winners for the Beaver State in today’s economy. Is there something missing in our basic infrastructure for high growth companies? Are we less innovative? Is there a disconnect between innovation and commercialization or is it just all about access to capital? Some of these questions will be taken up by Bend Venture Conference speaker Diane Fraiman, Venture Partner with Voyager Capital. In her "Brain Food" speech, she'll offer definitive ideas on how Oregon can improve its startup scene.
Headwaters Economics makes a return visit to Central Oregon
On August 30th at Redmond’s Fire Hall, Ben Alexander, Associate Director and Co-Founder of Bozeman-based Headwaters Economics, again shared the findings of a study that examined the reasons why Central Oregon was so hard hit in the economic downturn and outlined recommendations to improve its competitiveness. The event was well attended, including many public leaders among the 70 attendees. The meeting’s intent was to expand the conversation among business leaders and public officials regarding the recommendations. To spur dialogue, EDCO has prepared a draft document that assesses how Central Oregon stacks up against each recommendation and outlines what efforts are underway, or would need to be undertaken, to fulfill the vision of the study.
Headwaters has prepared two additional socioeconomic profiles – one of Crook County and one of Jefferson County; in addition to the Deschutes County Profile which was made available with release of the report. Read the full Headwaters study about how Central Oregon can improve its competitiveness with other areas in the West.
EDCO’s Stable of Experts assembles “human capital” to help startups
The Central Oregon Stable of Experts, which provides advisors, guidance (board or advisory board guidance), and executive level “human capital” to our region’s early stage companies, held its kick-off event in August. Over 60 key contributors to the region’s business community attended the Stable of Experts event sponsored by Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt. The Stable of Experts is comprised of talented members of Central Oregon’s information technology, software, Internet, renewable energy/clean tech, medical technologies, aviation and consumer goods industries. The group’s objective is to connect entrepreneurs with the growing talent pool of knowledgeable, experienced professionals in Central Oregon. For more information about this effort, please contact Scott Larson, EDCO’s Venture Catalyst Manager or (541) 388-3236.
COIC t
o identify projects that will help Central Oregon’s economy
You may have seen the recent KBND article that Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) “is rolling up their shirt sleeves to see what they can do to help pump some life into the region's economy.” Working with the Bend City Council, reporter Dave Adams said COIC’s update report on economic development “will deal with several areas, such as identification of critical components for local and regional companies, prioritizing economic development projects, an inventory of challenges, and a strategy to identify funding resources and to implement high priority projects and initiatives.” By way of explanation, COIC’s work if focused on public projects and the efforts mentioned above are designed to be a web to catch grant and other public funding. As it has been in the past, EDCO and COIC collaborate to ensure our efforts are aligned.
Crook County business nearly loses BETC funds
The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) has made the decision to approve a Prineville company to utilize $1.9 million of Oregon corporate income credits through the Business Energy Tax Credit program (BETC). After being preliminarily certified in 2008 for a new pellet plant that would redcue the company's waste stream, Woodgrain Millwork in Prineville was denied use of BETC due to miscommunication about the application process. EDCO’s Prineville office stepped in to help the company, calling on the Governor’s Economic Revitalization Team (ERT). ERT links businesses and state agencies to help solve problems and find solutions to roadblocks. After weeks of research, emails, providing documentation, and letters of support, Janet Brown, Central Oregon’s local ERT representative, was able to work with ODOE to find a solution, and allow Woodgrain to utilize the BETC program. Dealing with government agencies is often daunting for businesses, but EDCO and other groups – like ERT – can use their knowledge and contacts to help overcome potential roadblocks. This is another example of the important business advocacy role and behind-the-scenes problem-solving that happens on a regular basis at EDCO.
| Celebrate Industry Month with EDCO this October |
In addition to the Bend Venture Conference, EDCO and partnering organizations are hosting additional events under the Industry Month umbrella. Industry Month was conceived some years ago to provide resources for Central Oregon's primary employers and has continued to adapt to deliver courses and events relevant to the current environment. Mark your calendar now for those events you don't want to miss; please see the EDCO events calendar for more details and to register for specific events.
Fri, Oct 8, Managing to Win!, Presented by COCC; COCC Campus Center, 7:30 - 10:30 am
Presented by COCC at the COCC Campus Center
This premier training event asks: Do you have the right focus, the right people and the right environment? Michael Canic, Ph.D., states that results don't happen by chance, but only in organizations that are systematically aligned with "winning." More event details.
Thurs, Oct 14, Bend Venture Conference Pre-Conference Seminars
All seminars are held at Touchmark at Mt. Bachelor
You may register for any of the three seminars without attending the full day conference on Friday.
Business Plan Tips (Palo Alto Software), 8:30 - 10:00 am
Due Diligence for the Entrepreneur (Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt), 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
How Health Reform Has/Is/Could Impact Your Busienss, (Opportunity Knocks), 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Thurs, Oct 14, Bend Venture Conference Networking Reception, starts at 5:30 pm
Held at Broken Top Club. You may register for the reception without attending the full conference on Friday.
Fri, Oct 15, Bend Venture Conference, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tower Theatre with concluding reception at The Oxford Hotel.
Take advantage of early bird registration, which ends on September 17th, and save $50.
Mon, Oct 18 & 19th, Mike Hoseus- Toyota Problem Solving, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, (both days)
Presented by HiDEC; Touchmark at Mt. Bachelor
Cost: $50 for HiDEC members, $100 for Non-Members (meals included)
Tues, Oct 26, Export Strategies, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
David Josephson of EXIM Bank (Luncheon Speaker)
The Mountain Room, Deschutes Brewery. Presented by EDCO and U.S. Dept. of Commerce
Thurs, Oct 28, EDCO Annual Awards, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Seventh Mountain Resort. FREE for all EDCO Members, RSVP to Dayna required (more details to follow).
| Upcoming Events in the region |
Sept 8 Opportunity Knocks: Marketing Dynamics, What’s Working
Opportunity Knocks’ best practices series hosts a top-notch trio of talented, local speakers on what is effective in today's marketing environment. Cost is $30 for OK members and $45 for non-members; lunch is included and the program spans 11:15 am to 1:30 pm. Register here.
Sarah Laufer, CEO of Play Outdoors, Inc. will talk about “Branding Redesign: Making the Outside match the Inside”
Bill Chiaravalle, founder of Brand Navigation, offers insight into “What Really is This Thing Called Branding?” and
Kevin Kubota, Idea Guy of KubotaPhoto Design, will inspire with “Super Hero Marketing for Mere Mortals.”
Sept 16 PubTalk is dedicated to a rally of early stage companies
Join us for the first PubTalk of the season, as we gather to cultivate and cheer on our favorite local early stage companies! EDCO has invited local early stage companies, who have applied to present at the Bend Venture Conference, to use September’s PubTalk as a platform to perfect their pitch! Join us for a beverage and some food as we ask our audience for constructive criticism and to encourage these early stage presenters just before their big chance to hit the stage at the Bend Venture Conference in October.
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 pm networking, 6:00 pm program begins
Location: McMenamins St. Francis, Father Luke’s Room
Cost: $15 for EDCO/ OEN members or $25 for Non-Members
Sept 22 & 23 Central Oregon Safety and Health Association (COSHA) Fall Conference
Workers and employers are encouraged to attend this conference at Eagle Crest Resort to help improve safety and health performance. Transforming the workplace safety culture can help organizations reduce injuries and accidents, and decrease workers’ compensation costs. Keynote speaker John Drebinger will present two programs: "The Impossible is Just an Illusion" and "The Value of Safety for Effective Leaders." Click here for more information or to register.
Sept 30 & Oct 1 Bend WebCAM: (Web + Creative And Marketing) Conference - Mix Until Thoroughly Inspired
This dynamic event will be held at The Tower Theatre and the Oxford Hotel. Attracting some of the most innovative speakers and thinkers from across the country, the Bend WebCAM conference invites attendees to explore mind-blowing topics on Web, SEO, Creative, Social Media and more. Learn more and register for WebCAM online.
- The Left Brain (aka "Geek") track dives into the technical, the logical and cutting edge methods of communication, such as social media, SEO, mobile marketing, etc.
- The Right Brain (aka "Chic") track focuses on the creative, the emotional, the imaginative messages of communication, including advertising, design, copywriting, brand development, etc.
- And finally (the "Hybrid - Super Freak") track merges the two ways of thinking into a synergistic gumbo, enriching those who realize the inseparability of technology and creativity in a successful 21st Century business plan.
Do your employees need access to quality child care?
Since its inception in 2007, The Bend Child Care Provider Network has brought family child care providers together in collaboration to further the professional development and quality of their services. The network is comprised of twelve Family Child Care businesses that serve over fifty families. To participate in the Network, members attend continuing education classes relevant to early childhood development and meet goals on improving the quality of child care services they provide. The Bend Child Care Provider Network is seeking to connect with employers to provide access to these quality child care services. Plans for a similar Child Care Provider Network in Redmond are also underway. For more information on the Bend Child Care Provider Network visit the Neighbor Impact website or contact Denise Hudson with Child Care Resources.
Help for employees opting out of health insurance
Oregon’s Family Health Insurance Assistance Program (FHIAP) helps qualified employees add themselves or family members to employer-sponsored health plans. FHIAP subsidies pay up to 95 percent (100 percent for children under age 19) of the employee’s portion of the monthly health premium. Members pay deductibles, co-payments, and other costs. FHIAP also benefits employers:
- Employees add uninsured depends, bringing younger people into the plan and potentially stabilizing rates.
- Meet health insurance participation requirements because more employees can afford their share of the costs.
- FHIAP eligibility is considered a qualifying event. Qualified employees can join your plan immediately.
Individuals must be uninsured for two months and meet income and other eligibility guidelines. An employer’s plan must meet certain minimum benefit levels. Call toll-free 1-888-564-9669 to request a copy of FHIAP’s employer guide or visit the Office of Private Health Partnerships.
| Results of Year One EDCO/City of Bend Collaboration |
First year results of EDCO/ City of Bend Economic Development Program
In July of 2009, the City of Bend and EDCO entered into a two year contract for economic development services. The performance results below were presented to the Bend City Council on June 16, 2010 to wrap up the first year of the City of Bend/EDCO agreement. The four targeted goals were all exceeded; year two goals will be increased.
| Goals and Outcomes |
#1 Complete five business development projects (retention, expansion and recruitment of companies) during the first 12 months of the program.
Outcome: Substantive assistance was provided to six companies that expanded or relocated to Central Oregon. |
#2 Create at least 100 new, traded-sector family-wage jobs in the first twelve months of the program.
Outcome: A total of 216 jobs (from 9 companies) were created. |
#3 Facilitate investment of at least $7 million in new taxable capital investment in buildings, renovations and equipment in the first twelve months of the program.
Outcome: Six companies generated $41.6 million in capital investment. |
|
#4 Complete at least one strategic local projects (industrial park development, workforce initiative, etc.) in the first twelve months of the program that would improve the local business climate.
Outcome: Five strategic projects were completed, including:
Bend Enterprise Zone
Deschutes County Loan Program
City of Bend Loan Program
Formation of the Central Oregon Bioscience Consortium (COBIC)
Adopt-A-Business Program (with Bend Chamber, SCORE, Opportunity Knocks, and COCC) |
Our thanks to the companies below who fund EDCO’s efforts to recruit new companies to the region and help local companies grow their operations.
Renewing Members
Platinum Level: St. Charles Medical Center (1986)
Gold Level: GL Solutions (2004)
Financial Institution: Umpqua Bank (2004)
Silver Level: Eagle Crest Partnership (1987), William Smith Properties (1993)
Bronze Level: AmeriTitle (1999), Century Insurance Group (1997), Fincham Financial Group (1998), Jones & Roth, P.C. (1996), MacKay & Sposito (2009), Newland Real Estate (2003), R & H Construction (2005), Rosell Financial Group (2007), Steele Associates Architects, LLC (1999), Touchmark at Mt. Bachelor (2009)
Individual Level: Compass Commercial – Peter May (2007), John L. Scott – Bobbie Strome (1989)
New Member: SCORE Central Oregon Chapter
Long time EDCO partners, and new members, the Central Oregon SCORE chapter is here to assist our local aspiring entrepreneurs. SCORE is a unique organization of volunteers with an enormous amount of talent and expertise, providing confidential business advice and business counseling.
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