2020 Companies

2020 Winning companies

EDCO ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS OF THE 17TH ANNUAL BEND VENTURE CONFERENCE

Over Half a Million Dollars Awarded

Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) hosted the 17th Annual Bend Venture Conference (BVC) from Downtown Bend. Over the past two days, 14 companies presented both in-person and virtually to a hybrid audience and six companies were awarded a total of $503,000 in investments and cash.

This August, 85 companies from across the U.S. applied to the conference looking for investment and exposure. These companies represent some of the best in innovation across multiple industries.

This year’s award breakdown is as follows:

Growth Stage Competition

The Growth Stage Competition, which included companies that have a proven concept and initial revenues, had two winners.

  • Winners of BVC, LLC, Investment Awards*:
    • PypeServer (Seattle, WA) – Software that automates the cutting of industrial steel pipe for construction and industrial uses, was awarded $220,000.
    • PetHub (Wenatchee, WA) – A central hub to manage your pet’s life, helping owners share data safely while also finding trusted services and information, was awarded $100,000.

*The investment arm of the conference, BVC, LLC, awarded the Growth Stage investments following considerable due diligence of each of the five presenting finalists. Investments and follow-on deals are still being finalized.

Impact Competition

The Impact Competition, which included for-profit companies with an integrated social or environmental mission, had one winner, awarded by the BVC Impact LLC.

  • Winner of the BVC Impact LLC, Investment Award*
    • Biomotum (Portland, OR) – Creators of a robotic ankle-assist device that offers a cost-effective, lightweight, portable, and efficient way to improve mobility in those with movement disorders, was awarded $80,000.

*The impact investment arm of the conference awarded an investment following considerable due diligence of each of the four presenting finalists. This investment included $25,000 from the Oregon Growth Board. Investments are still being finalized.

Early Stage Competition

The Early Stage Competition included companies that are pre-revenue (or very early) and are in the process of testing their product in the market. The three winning Early Stage companies are:

  • Winners of the Portland Seed Fund Early Stage Competition:
    • Cozera (Portland, OR) – Creating verified digital identities for remote & in-person identity verification, was awarded $50,000.
    • MustDeliver (Portland, OR) – A digital marketplace delivering industry-leading clarity, control & communication between shippers and drivers in the trucking business, was awarded $50,000.
  • Winner of the Portland Seed Fund and Elevate Capital Audience Award (awarded at EDCO’s September PubTalk):
    • Masa (Portland, OR) – The first online farmers market, bringing farmers markets to people via an online marketplace, won a $3,000 cash award.

2020 PRESENTING COMPANIES

Growth Stage Competition

    • PetHub (Wenatchee, WA) – A central hub to manage your pet’s life, helping owners share data safely while also finding trusted services and information.
    • Plover (Portland, OR) – Disrupting the carwash industry with the world’s most efficient and precise robotic carwash system.
    • PypeServer (Seattle, WA) – Software that automates the cutting of industrial steel pipe for construction and industrial uses.
    • RexPay (Phoenix, AZ) – A mobile app where patients can easily understand, manage and pay all their medical bills and track insurance information in one place.
    • The Accessory Junkie – (Portland, OR) A pioneering, new e-commerce model that connects customers with hard-to-find products from around the world.

Impact Competition

    • Biomotum (Portland, OR) – Creators of a robotic ankle-assist device that offers a cost effective, lightweight, portable, and efficient way to improve mobility in those with movement disorders.
    • Focal Technologies, Inc (Portland, OR) – A patented ray system using a refracting lens to concentrate the sun’s heat and UV waves into a receiver to break down any organic contaminant in water or soil.
    • Lazarus 3D, Inc (Corvallis, OR) – Developed a 3D process to rapidly create life-like models of anatomy from MRI screenings for doctors and hospitals.
    • Wheyward Spirit (Portland, OR) – Repurposing billions of pounds of whey that go to waste to create a more sippable and sustainable spirit.

Early Stage Competition

    • ADHERE GEAR Technology Corp. (Portland, OR) – Deploying shared-use luggage and travel gear for passengers to create a safer and cleaner environment for their personal items.
    • Cozera (Portland, OR) – Creating verified digital identities for remote & in-person identity verification to increase customer satisfaction and deter identity fraud, saving time and money.
    • Masa (Portland, OR) – The first online farmers market, bringing farmers markets to people via an online marketplace (think Etsy for farmers).
    • MustDeliver (Portland, OR) – A digital marketplace delivering industry-leading clarity, control & communication between shippers and drivers in the trucking business.
    • YesOMS (Bend, OR) – A platform for merchants and brand owners to offer a superior user experience to their customers through their own branded mobile application.