2007 Bend Venture Conference Invites
Seed and Early Stage Companies to Pitch Regional Investors
The Bend Venture Conference is now accepting applications for seed and early stage companies to present at the event scheduled for October 19, 2007. Companies seeking investment between $100,000 and $1 million are invited to apply.
The Bend Venture Conference will feature a select group of highly qualified investment opportunities. Finalists will be competing for an investment award worth at least $100,000 (learn more about the terms). Selected companies will present their business plans to an audience of angel investors and venture firms from throughout the Northwest.
|
"Having an opportunity to present at the BVC helped our company immensely. Not only were we fortunate to walk away with a seed investment from members of the group, we received a lot of valuable feedback about our business plan and connections to key members in the community and beyond that have been critical in the early start-up phase of development." - Ed Boyle, MD, CEO, PleuraFlow |
Benefits of applying include:
- Expert coaching and feedback on your pitch. Our selection committee will provide you with valuable coaching on preparing your business pitch. They will help you hone in on your messaging and ensure you are providing the information investors want.
- Respond to questions on your business plan and value proposition. Our Investor Panel is top notch, including the premier seed and early stage investors in the region. During your presentation, they will ask you tough questions about your business plan, business model, and value proposition, to which you’ll receive valuable feedback. This is an exceptional training opportunity for future investor presentations.
- A room full of experienced investors. Our audience will be filled with angel investors and experienced institutional investors. The art of raising money is the art of building a network. As in past years, our presenting companies used this networking opportunity as a launching pad for completing successful rounds.
- Expert business advisors. Central Oregon is filled with an array of entrepreneurs and experienced business professionals and retired executives that are eager to provide advisory services and coach start-up companies. Each year, many of these people attend the conference to identify companies who they might be able to assist.
- Wild Card opportunity: New to BVC this year will be a wild card selection. Up to ten non-finalist companies will deliver one-minute pitches to the audience who will vote for the most compelling presentation. The wild card winner will join the four finalists in pitching to our expert panel.
All companies that apply will receive one complimentary pass to the event. This will provide the opportunity to network with an audience filled with investors, entrepreneurs and advisors.
Additionally, all companies receive a ½ page overview in the Conference Packet that is distributed to all attendees.
Important Dates:
- September 14th: Application deadline.
- September 28th: Finalists notified; follow up interviews scheduled.
- Weeks of Oct 1st and Oct 8th: Companies work with Investor Group on diligence and to practice investor presentations.
- Thursday, October 18th: Presenting Companies arrive in Bend; companies will conduct "dry run" of presentations in the afternoon.