Almost 300 people crowded Worthy’s outdoor patio for Central Oregon PubTalk: The Road to BVC, where 10 Early Stage companies pitched their business ideas. The audience, along with an expert panel of judges, voted to decide which companies would advance to present at BVC. In addition, the audience favorite, Revino, walked away with a $3,000 check.

Each year, new BVC Growth and Impact Funds are raised to invest in the most promising companies that compete in the annual conference. The semifinalists in the Growth Stage and Impact Track will meet with investors to determine which companies will advance to the BVC stage.

Inaugural Innovation Week showcases entrepreneurs and startup support organizations throughout Oregon. Collaborators include Bend Outdoor Worx, Bend Startup Central, Built Oregon, Cultivate Bend, Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO), and VertueLab .

Announcing the 2023 Early Stage semifinalist companies advancing to the stage for Central Oregon PubTalk on September 28th at Worthy Brewing, where the audience and a panel of expert judges will decide which companies will make it to the final stage at BVC in October.

The 2023 BVC will feature impressive speakers from across the country representing angel investors, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. Friday’s agenda will feature a Keynote presentation by Joth Ricci, Chief Executive Officer and President of Dutch Bros Coffee.

Last October, 14 finalists presented their ideas and business models to an audience of hundreds at the Tower Theatre in hopes of gaining investment from prominent funds. Of those finalists, seven companies walked away that day with checks totaling $665,000 in investments.

BEND, Ore. – October 23, 2022 – Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) hosted the 19th Annual Bend Venture Conference (BVC) at the Tower Theatre in Downtown Bend. During the conference, 14 finalists presented their ideas and business models to an audience of hundreds in hopes of gaining investment from prominent funds.

BEND, Ore. – October 7, 2022 – Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) announces the finalists advancing in the Growth Stage and Impact tracks for the 19th Annual Bend Venture Conference (BVC) on Thursday, October 20 – Friday, October 21, 2022. BVC is one of the largest angel investment conferences in the West; bringing together…

BEND, Ore. – September 23, 2022 – Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) announces the five finalists advancing in the Early Stage competition for the 19th Annual Bend Venture Conference (BVC) on Thursday, October 20 – Friday, October 21, 2022. These companies will compete for a minimum investment of $30,000 from Portland Seed Fund.

September 15, 2022 – Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) announced the semifinalist companies advancing in the Growth and Impact Stage competitions for the 19th Annual Bend Venture Conference (BVC) on Thursday, October 20 – Friday, October 21, 2022. The nine semifinalists in the Early Stage competition category were announced earlier this week.

BEND, Ore. – September 13, 2022 – Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) announced the nine semifinalist companies advancing in the Early-Stage competition for the 19th Annual Bend Venture Conference (BVC) on Thursday, October 20 – Friday, October 21, 2022. This group of companies is one step closer to presenting at BVC.

BEND, OR (July 14, 2022) – Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) will again host the annual Bend Venture Conference (BVC) on Thursday, October 20 – Friday, October 21, 2022, in downtown Bend and virtually online. Ticketing, speaker announcements and event details for the 19th Annual Bend Venture Conference will be announced in the coming…