Past Bend Venture Conference Winners
2021 Winners
2022 Winners
Growth Stage Winners
 |
 |
Impact Stage Winners
 |
 |
Early Stage Winners
 |
 |
 |
Read the full press release here.
2021 Winners
Growth Stage Winners
Lora DiCarlo |
Deep Surface |
The Run Experience |
Impact Stage Winners
SkipTek |
Tenzr Health |
Early Stage Winners
Radious |
Tonsil Tech |
Read the full press release here.
2020 Winners
Growth Stage Winners
PypeServer |
PetHub |
Impact Stage Winners
Biomotum |
Early Stage Winners
Cozera |
MustDeliver |
Read the full press release here.
2019 Winners
Growth Stage Winner
Observa |
Belmont |
Impact Winner
Riff |
Read the full press release here.
2018 Winners
Impact Stage Winner
Read the full press release here.
2017 Winners
Growth Stage Winners
Handful |
Impact Growth Winner
Green Theme International |
Read the full press release here.
2016 Winners
Growth Stage Winners
Hubb |
RFPIO |
Impact Stage Winners
Hemex Health |
OPConnect |
Read the full press release here.
2015 Winners
Growth Stage Winners
Odysys |
Perfect Company |
Read the full press release here.
2014 Winners
Growth Stage Winners
Amplion |
Poached |
Read the full press release here.
2013 Winner
Growth Stage Winners
Nouvola |
In 2013, Portland-based Nouvola kicked off its success story at BVC where it won the top investment prize of $250,000. This win sparked further investment from the 2014 Oregon Entrepreneur Network’s Angel Oregon and the Southern Oregon Angel Conference, completing the “Triple Crown” of angel conferences. Nouvola specializes in providing companies insight into how apps will function and helps troubleshoot those apps before they are released to the world.
2012 Winners
SonivateMedical |
In 2012, Portland-based Sonivate Medical took home the top investment prize of $265,000. Sonivate Medical develops and manufactures innovative technologies to reduce healthcare costs and expand access to diagnostic imaging. Winning the 2012 Bend Venture Conference allowed Sonivate Medical to initiate their go-to-market activities including integration with their first distribution partner, building their first set of probes that are available for sale, and clinical demonstrations at Madigan Medical Center and Yale University.
2011 Winner
RES Equine |
In 2011, Redmond-based RES Equine, a manufacturer of protective horse equipment which uses a patent-pending closure system, was selected by investors of the BVC, LLC (the conference’s investment arm) for the top investment prize of $250,000, beating out four other finalists in the category.
2010 Winner
Manzama |
In 2010, BVC winner Manzama took home a $200,000 investment prize. Peter Ozolin, Manzama CEO, said he was glad that the investors recognized the emotion and conviction behind his company. Manzama’s software helps attorneys and practice groups specifically identify information about their practice through automatic searches done from the vast electronic domain.
2009
The 2009 BVC investment prize money was not awarded following the due diligence process. Instead, members of the investment arm of the Conference (BVC, LLC) elected to roll the 2009 amount into the 2010 investment prize.
2008
Jama Software |
In 2008, Portland-based Jama Software won the Bend Venture Conference. Jama’s software is configured as a web service and facilitates collaborative software product development. Eric Winquist, CEO and founder of Jama, says the $110,000 investment prize was instrumental in creating investor confidence that allowed the company to raise an additional $1 million in angel funding from other sources.
2007
Elemental Technologies |
In 2007, BVC winner Elemental Technologies Inc. (ETI) took home a $150,000 investment prize. The company got its start from a group of three engineers from Pixelworks, the Portland-based maker of digital video chips. Elemental creates software that makes sophisticated video production possible on a more affordable basis. CEO and co-founder Sam Blackman was able to parlay investments from Oregon Angel Fund, Pixelworks, and BVC in later successful rounds of financing. The company was ultimately sold to Amazon Web Services in 2015.
2006
ClearFlow |
The 2006 BVC winner of a $150,000 investment prize was Dr. Ed Boyle of Bend-based Clear Catheter Solutions. The company has developed a medical drainage device that helps patients of heart, lung and chest surgeries patients recover more safely. BVC investment prize money allowed Clear Catheter to form their management team and to license a patent; shortly thereafter, the company raised an additional $600,000 that made human trials possible.