Archive for the ‘Startups’ Category

The BendUp Business Creation Workshop is Back!

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

In this episode, we’ll be hearing from Robert Kieffer and Steve Buss on their respective business ideas. Rob says he’d like your input on his “social/collaborative post-it note app. It’s got some interesting possibilities,” he says, “and I’m curious to see how people might dissect the economics of it.” He’s got a demo, people!

Steve’s business idea is eight years in the making. That’s longer than the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and Brangelina and almost as long as the Iraq War. It has to do with trading, and you’ll want to hear what he’s been working on (and mostly quiet about) for the year or so you’ve known him in Bend.

The plans will be admittedly in rough form, but the rest of us will be listening closely and asking the helpful questions:

* What’s the value proposition?
* What’s your competitive advantage?
* Who makes up the market?
* What will they pay?
* How will you reach them?

And more. Come join us. Location will depend on group size. OFFERS OF SPACE APPRECIATED.

Learn more here:
http://www.meetup.com/bendtech/calendar/12561229/

When: Thursday, February 18, 2010 6:30 PM
Where: (A location has not been chosen yet.)

Posted in Business Planning, Events, Startups | Comments Off

Bend’s French Connection

Monday, December 15th, 2008

The Le Web conference recently wrapped up their ’08 session (in Paris, fwiw).  The news coming out of it has been interesting on a number of fronts, but one piece has attracted a lot of attention:  Le Web founder and host, Loic Le Meur, and TechCrunch founder, Michael Arrington, have been on friendly terms up until recently, but they’ve started trading blows in a bit of a kerfuffle that started during the closing “Gilmore Gang” session.  It’s an Us. (or U.S.) vs. Them debate about how the different cultures in Silicon Valley and France/Europe affect entrepreneurship.  While watching the Gilmore Gang video, I was surprised to recognize the same insecurities in European tech entrepreneurs that I share with people here in Central Oregon – an acute awareness and sensitivity to the fact that, “we’re not Silicon Valley”.

It was a surprising epiphany, that Paris and Bend have this commonality, given how profoundly different the two cities are in pretty much all other aspects.  It gave me a bit of hope that the debate might turn up a nugget or two of insight into the nature of the issues we face.  Unfortunately the panel was populated entirely by Silicon Valley personalities, so insights were in short supply.  It didn’t help that some of the overinflated egos on stage were knocking back wine at a good clip.  It was entertaining (in the train-wreck-fashion that all Ugly Americans are), but not insightful.

Let me try to nurse at least a little wisdom from the discussion and do a quick rundown of the issues as I see them.  I doubt these will come as a surprise to any of you, but maybe some speculation as to how they might apply to the European startup community will turn up something useful … (more…)

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Posted in Internet, Startups | 2 Comments »

Post Bend Venture Conference Tweet-Up

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

That’s right folks, it’s already that time of year – Fall.

No, but seriously. It’s already time for another Bend Venture Conference.

This, of course, means that we can expect there to be a few days of tech nerds, VCs and business owners eager to win the big prize wandering downtown Bend.

So let’s take advantage. There will be a tweetup on Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Blacksmith Restaurant. (Location)

You can sign up if you plan to attend here.

Drinks will be available for purchase, of course. If anyone wants to stay for dinner they’re more than welcome.

See you there!

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Posted in Startups | 2 Comments »

Bend Tech Scene Blowing Up

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

Despite the overwhelming drop-off in the economic stability of our nation, our little burg of Bend, Oregon has seen our tech industry grow exponentially this year. We’ve seen more companies appear, and many who have been here for some time explode in size. See below for a breakdown from Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO).

Altrec/GreatOutdoors.com, Redmond
Mike Morford, CEO
This fast growing company is a national e-tailer and distributor of recreational gear and equipment, similar to REI but with no retail component. Company just expanded its original office location into an adjacent building.
Growing from 40 to 60 employees.

Blue Reference, Bend
Paul and Josh van Eikeren (founders of IntelliChem in 1999, subsequently sold to Symyx in 2006 for $30M). Startup company is building a new software platform for Electronic Lab Notebooks which helps scientists, engineers and business professionals quickly analyze data.
7 employees, hiring for 6 additional.

Bend Research, Bend
Rod Ray
Specialize in the R&D of novel pharmaceutical delivery mechanisms.
169 employees.
Bend Research has created many other small, successful spinoffs.

G5 Search Marketing, Bend
Dan Hobin, CEO
Developer of integrated local search marketing for the internet and optimization services
Grown from 12 to 28 employees in the last year

GL Suite, Bend
Bill Moseley, CEO
Software developer for government licensing.
40 employees, recently added 1,700 square feet of office space.

Grace Bio-Labs, Bend
Full service design and manufacture of products for custom and OEM applications in cell analysis and the molecular pathology industry.
21 employees.

MEDISISS, Redmond
Third party re-processor of single-use medical devices for the health care industry, particularly the ambulatory surgery market.
47 employees.

InEnTec,LLC, Bend
Mike Rockett, CEO
Plasma-based waste processing and clean energy systems.
5 full-time employees in Bend with several more telecommuters; currently hiring project managers.

Medsoft, Bend
Dennis Kinion, CEO
Startup company develops software for hospitals and clinics to update and manage the professional certifications of their staff.

Microsemi, Bend (Power Products group located in Bend, was Advanced Power Technologies until acquired in 2006).
Semiconductor manufacturer specializing in system-engineered integrated circuits and high reliability discrete devices for aviation and military.
147 employees.

PV Powered, Bend
Greg Patterson, CEO
Manufacturer of grid-tied solar inverters
Employment at 43 (likely to increase back up to 60 with passage of solar tax credits).

Suterra, Bend
Steve Hartmeier, CEO
Diversified pest control company with an environmental focus that provides products and services to the commercial agriculture market.
58 employees – Moving to 10-acre parcel in Juniper Ridge.

Tri-Quint, Bend
Design and manufacture of high-performance modules and components for communications companies that create mobile handsets, RF network equipment, and defense & space systems.
22 employees.

Also, Silicon Forest, the tech blog arm of The Oregonian, picked up on the news. You can see it here.

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Guy Kawasaki’s keynote presentation (part 2) at this year’s Bend Venture Conference (BVC)

Monday, October 22nd, 2007

Check out part 2 of Guy Kawasaki’s keynote presentation from this years Bend Venture Conference (BVC). Part 2 is roughly 34 minutes long. This is a great presentation for this years BVC so be sure to check this out. A big thanks to the folks at BVC for bringing Guy Kawasaki to town! Stay tuned for additional videos from this year’s BVC, including presentations by the lead companies at this year’s event.

To download a higher resolution version of this video, please select the following link: Guy Kawasaki Keynote Presentation at the 2007 Bend Venture Conference (BVC) – Part 2

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