Pitch your startup at the largest angel investment conference in the Pacific Northwest.
APPLY TO PITCH
BVC showcases innovative startups and connects entrepreneurs with investors and mentors. There are three categories of competition: Growth Tech Stage, Growth Industries Stage and Early Stage. Applicants must commit to participating in due diligence and presenting in Bend, Oregon for the conference.
Top 10 companies in each track receive one complimentary full conference ticket. Finalists receive a second complimentary full conference ticket. All non-finalist applicants may apply their non-refundable application fee toward an EDCO Member full conference ticket.
Requirements for All Applicants
Have an open round being raised during BVC’s investment window (September through November 2026)
Be a US-based C-corporation
Have a deal instrument and structure ready to receive investment
Participate in due diligence, present in-person at BVC (October 15-16, 2026) and participate in investor meetings as needed
Companies will be notified if BVC fund managers and investors believe reclassification between the Early, Growth Tech and Growth Industries is needed.
All Tracks
Growth Tech is for companies whose core differentiation is technology. This includes software, AI, and platform-driven companies across climate, health, finance, education, enterprise, and other sectors. What defines Growth Tech is how value gets created: through software, algorithms, data, or platform economics, with low marginal cost per additional customer and scalable revenue models. Examples could include a climate tech company using AI to optimize energy grids, a health tech SaaS, or a fintech platform.
Following an initial screening, a subset of applicants will be invited to pitch virtually or in person to the selection team and investor cohort. Semi-finalists will advance to due diligence, and finalists will be invited to present on the BVC main stage in October.
Must have:
Software, AI, or technology-driven differentiation without a physical component
At least $500K in product revenue in the last 12 months
Currently raising $250K-$2.5M+ in investment capital
Other guidance:
Capital-efficient and scalable business model
Prepared to scale in the next 12 months with investment
In conversations with additional investors
Growth Tech
Growth Industries is for companies whose core differentiation is brand, physical products, science, or engineering. This includes outdoor and lifestyle brands, food and agriculture, consumer products, biotech and life sciences, hardware, and climate-focused hardware and physical solutions. What defines Growth Industries is how value gets created: through the product itself, the science behind it, the engineering breakthrough, or the brand-driven consumer trust. Examples could include a climate tech company building next-generation heat pumps, a biotech company developing a novel therapeutic, or a direct-to-consumer outdoor apparel brand with a technical product edge.
Following an initial screening, a subset of applicants will pitch virtually or in person to the selection team and investor cohort. Semi-finalists will advance to due diligence, and finalists will be invited to present on the BVC main stage in October.
Must have:
Operating in outdoor, food and agriculture, CPG, lifestyle, biotech or life sciences, climate resiliency, hardware, or related industry
At least $500K in product revenue in the last 12 months OR pre-revenue with other demonstrable traction metrics
Currently raising $250K-$2.5M+ in investment capital
Other guidance:
Industry-specific viability signals such as clinical milestones, regulatory progress, signed enterprise pilots, retail distribution wins, brand traction, etc.
Prepared to scale in the next 12 months with investment
In conversations with additional investors
Growth Industries
Early Stage
Early Stage is for Oregon-rooted companies in the early stages of their journey. The track exists to develop local pipeline, support founders before they hit growth-stage maturity and strengthen the overall Oregon and Central Oregon entrepreneurial ecosystem. The diligence emphasis is on founder quality, product potential, unique solution, and ecosystem fit.
Early Stage applicants compete for prizes that may include potential investment, service packages and cash grants for eligible Central Oregon companies. Following an initial review, a subset of applicants will pitch to the selection team, with semi-finalists advancing to present at Central Oregon PubTalk in September and finalists taking the BVC main stage in October.
Must have:
Domiciled or strong presence in Oregon (founder or CEO residence in Oregon)
Pre-revenue OR less than $500K in product revenue in the last 12 months
Less than $500K raised in external capital (including non-dilutive grants)
Currently raising less than $1M in investment capital
Other guidance:
Proof of concept or MVP in market
Customer traction or early revenue
Working toward product-market fit
May have raised a pre-seed round
2026 Growth Tech and Industries Timeline
Early July
Application open to present at BVC
August 13th
Last day for applying companies to submit their application
Early September
Semifinalists participate in one due diligence meeting with investors
Early October
Finalist companies are announced
October 15th-16th
BVC rehearsal, seminars, reception, and competition in Bend, Oregon
2026 Early Stage Timeline
Early July
Applications open to present at BVC
August 13th
Last day for applying companies to submit their application
Early September
Upstart Day - companies pitch, receive feedback to determine which companies pitch at EDCO’s Central Oregon PubTalk
September 24th
Semifinalists present at EDCO’s Central Oregon PubTalk to determine which companies pitch at BVC
October 15th-16th
BVC rehearsal, seminars, reception, and competition held in Bend, Oregon
Why You Should Apply
New for 2026: Direct investor access for Semi-Finalists and Finalists
We're introducing an invitation-only Investor + Founder Mixer held prior to the Thursday evening networking reception, exclusively for semi-finalists and finalists from each track (Early Stage, Growth Tech, and Growth Industries). This is a curated environment where selected founders can build direct relationships with our investor cohort before the broader reception opens.
Why you should apply:
BVC has been a pillar of the Pacific Northwest's angel investment ecosystem for over two decades. Applying to BVC means becoming part of that history and joining an active regional network of investors, founders and ecosystem partners.
Every applicant receives:
Application fee applied toward your BVC Conference ticket in October
Exposure to Bend's active investor community and the broader Pacific Northwest ecosystem
Connection to a program with 22 years of regional history and reputation
Access to press and public attention around BVC
Semi-finalists and finalists receive:
Pitch coaching (semi-finalists)
Extensive coaching and industry-expert guidance (finalists)
Invitation to the new Founder Funder Reception prior to the Thursday networking reception
Presentation on the BVC main stage (finalists)
Direct opportunity for investment from the BVC Funds and co-investors
Follow-on introductions and relationship-building with regional VCs and angel investors
Who should apply?
BVC is built for founders who want more than just capital.
If you are building a company that would benefit from a supportive regional angel and investor community, and if you are the kind of founder who values coaching, feedback and long-term relationships alongside a check, BVC is likely a strong fit.
You will thrive in the BVC ecosystem if you:
Are open to feedback and coachable through the diligence and pitch process
Value building lasting relationships with investors, mentors and fellow founders
See the Pacific Northwest and Central Oregon ecosystems as assets to your company's growth
Want to be part of a program with over two decades of history supporting startup growth
Are willing to invest time in the process, not just show up for the check
BVC works best for founders who are excited about the relationships, coaching and community as much as the capital itself. If you are looking for a fully transactional funding process without engagement, the depth of BVC's program may not be the right fit.
*Bend Venture Conference cannot guarantee that investments will be made in any specific amount, because the final amounts to be awarded are dependent on investment commitments received from third-party investors and the ability of the winning companies and the investors to agree on the terms and conditions of the investment.
Questions on applying?
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