Bend Venture Conference

We are excited to welcome Wendy Morgan as EDCO’s new Venture Catalyst Director.

Wendy brings experience as a founder, mentor and commercialization leader, and will lead our Start initiative to support early stage companies across Central Oregon. She will work closely with entrepreneurs to refine their strategies, prepare for investment and connect with the resources they need to grow and succeed.

She will also support key programs including the Bend Venture Conference, helping prepare presenting companies and working alongside partners to strengthen outcomes for founders and investors.

Member Spotlight: We’re grateful for Exemplar Wealth Advisors and their membership with EDCO. This boutique financial planning firm, based in Bend, Oregon, serves clients across the country. Founded by David Rosell over 25 years ago and now co-led by Emma James, Exemplar focuses on a select group of individuals and families who value depth, trust, and real guidance through life’s biggest financial milestones. Their commitment not only helps clients achieve their goals but strengthens the Central Oregon ecosystem, making our community stronger and more resilient. Learn more at www.xmplr.com

Save the date. The Bend Venture Conference returns October 15 and 16, 2026. Join us in Bend as founders, investors, and business leaders from across the region and beyond come together for two days of pitches, connections, and new ideas. Mark your calendar and plan to be part of one of the Pacific Northwest’s leading investment conferences.

If you were not able to join us for BVC or PubTalk there is still plenty of time to catch the energy and insights that came out of those rooms. Our YouTube channel is home to a growing library of past event recordings that highlight founders, industry leaders and community partners who are moving Central Oregon forward. Whether you want to revisit a conversation, take notes on a pitch or explore what makes our region such a strong place to build a business, you can find it all in one place. Take a look and stay connected with the momentum.

👉 youtube.com/

We're so proud of Levi and can't wait to see what's in store for him next.

Caldera student builds app to rate difficulty of rock climbing routes - The Bulletin Rock climber Levi Waters knows how problematic — and dangerous — it can be if a rock climber doesn’t know the difficulty of the climb. Yet there’s no standardization in the industry about how difficult a climb is, and rock climbing gyms often have their own subjective ratings and styles. Tha...

Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Bend Venture Conference! EDCO is proud to celebrate the incredible founders and teams driving innovation across the Pacific Northwest.

Early Stage Winners:
Toast Wear (Bend), Yak Incorporated (Portland), and SokoLife (Eugene) received investment and cash awards for their groundbreaking products and strong market potential.

Growth Stage Winners:
Rapta (Tigard), Photon Marine (Portland), Bold Reuse (Portland), and MarineSitu (Seattle) were recognized for their rapid growth and scalable business models.

Additionally, Caldera High School student Levi Waters was honored for ClimbGrade through the BVC Future presentation.

These companies showcase the creativity and drive fueling Oregon’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Read more at: https://www.bendvc.com/news

The Bend Venture Conference starts tomorrow!
Five Early Stage and five Growth Stage finalists will take the stage to present their companies and compete for funding. Join us to see the most promising startups from across the region showcase their innovation and ambition.

Tickets are now available for the BVC Networking Event happening Thursday night at Broken Top. This is your chance to connect with industry professionals, share ideas, and build lasting relationships. Space is limited, so secure your spot soon.

https://www.bendvc.com/

Attendees at this week’s BVC will have the chance to sign up for office hours with industry experts. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions, get advice and make valuable connections. Don’t miss out on your session.

Bend Venture Conference ~ Announcing Our Finalists - Cascade Business News In just a few days, Bend will welcome hundreds of entrepreneurs and investors from across the country for the Pacific Northwest’s largest angel investment event, the Bend Venture Conference (BVC). This year’s competition is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. Five standout Growth Stag...

Thank You to Our 2025 BVC Sponsors

The Bend Venture Conference is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors. Each of you plays a vital role in helping us bring together entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders to strengthen Oregon’s innovation ecosystem.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our Title Sponsors, U.S. Bank and Alliant, for their leadership and continued commitment to fostering entrepreneurship across the region.

Thank you to all of our Presenting, Networking, Supporting, Brand and IT, and Media Sponsors. Your investment of time, resources and enthusiasm allows us to create a dynamic and impactful conference experience for everyone involved.

Your partnership fuels innovation, connects capital with opportunity, and supports the growth of promising companies across Central Oregon and beyond. We are deeply grateful for your support and excited for another exceptional year at BVC.

BVC 2025: Company Update + BVC Brief

The Bend Venture Conference is almost here, and two sessions you won’t want to miss are the Company Update and BVC Brief.

Cassie Abel, Founder and CEO of Wild Rye, will take the stage for the Company Update to share her journey building a purpose-driven outdoor brand that’s grown from a bold idea into a nationally recognized company.

In the BVC Brief, Cheryl Kellond, Founder of PlayMoney, will dig into how early-stage investing is changing and what it means for founders and investors shaping the next generation of startups.

Real stories. Real insight. Real impact.

Learn more about both sessions at bendvc.com/speakers