OEN Blog

14 Posts tagged with the networking tag
1

Rick Turoczy provided a handy primer on today's OEN Webinar: Social Networking 101. He broke the whole web 2.0 Social Networking world down into manageable bits and gave participants a place to start.

 

First you need to know the rules of the road:

 

1) Jump in. - Get over your fear and go for it.

 

2) Be polite. - Be nice and ethical.

 

3) Have fun. - This is fun, there is a lot of interesting things you are about to learn.

 

4) Listen more than you talk. - It will help you find something interesting to say.

 

5) Give more than you get. - In that spirit here is the link to his presentation & links: http://twurl.cc/70n

 

Now for some suggestions:

 

Don't start with blogging. It is just too much pressure. Boy is he right there. Rick suggest to start slowly and with one thing at a time. Give yourself time to get the hang of things before moving on to the next step. There is always time to add more as you get more involved.

 

Step 1: Say it. - Start commenting on other people's/ organizations' blogs such as this one. Or visit news sites such as the Portland Business Journal or The Oregonian

to get your opinions out there. It is still not super social but it is a start.

 

Step 2: Learn to share. - Start tagging things you like. Try a social bookmarks manager like delicious. Share photos on Flickr.

Or look for and share events on Upcoming. There's much more you can do but you're still getting your feet wet.

 

Step 3: Be yourself. - Get social and start networking. Join Linkedin, or get a profie on Facebook. You will be surprised who you find and who finds you. There are conversations to be had. Information to be shared and questions to be answered. These are all opportunities for you to get involved and share your expertise as well as learn from other experts.

 

Step 4: Get involved. - Set up an account on Twitter, a micro blogging site. Start following people and listen to what they say. You can use the search function on twitter to search out topics of interest and you can use Twellow to help you find people to follow. You will find they share interesting bits of news and information that can be very useful to business communication. You can share information about your organization or just interesting articles and information you come across. As your network grows you will find it to be a handy way to interact with customers or colleagues.

 

Thanks again to Rick Turoczy for sharing his insights. Perhaps you all could take an opportunity to get your feet wet and write a comment on this blog post. All you have to do is log in or set up an account and you're on your way.

1 Comments Permalink
0

Yesterday at OEN's Venture Northwest we saw 14 companies present their companies before an audience of potential investors. It was a day that Oregon could be proud of because there was a lot of talent in that room. Nonetheless, with the current economic crisis in full swing, it is impossible to overlook at a conference like this that the road will be a tough fight for startups for the forseeable future.

 

A couple key takeaway's from yesterday's conference were that sustainable ventures will be instrumental in spurring innovation and rebuilding the economy. There is a sense that the election could have significant impact in the scale of the opportunity with governmental policy supporting the expansion of renewable energy investment. The other main takeaway was that start ups will have challenges in raising funds but that it is still possible and that they will have to focus their efforts, conserve their cash and potentially seek alternative funding sources to help them survive the credit void.

 

We would appreciate hearing your insights. To provide a comment, log in or set up your account.

0 Comments Permalink
0

Visit the OPB to read/add to the discussion. http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/opb/posts/list/1797812.page

 

Or listen to the show by clicking this link. http://stream1.opb.org:9000/tol/episodes/2008/1030.mp3

0 Comments Permalink
0

There's only a few days left to sign up for the next OEN webinar - Building Brands and Managing Reputations via Social Media, with Kent Lewis of Anvil Media. The webinar takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 10 AM.

 

Listening to Kent speak about branding, marketing and social media is a real treat. If you haven't heard him speak on any of those topics, you should definitely consider signing up for this webinar!

 

You can sign up for this webinar by visiting the OEN Event Calendar.

0 Comments Permalink
0

Congrats to 88, Inc. for winning the first round of Seed Oregon! The votes were close, but 88, Inc. was selected to move to the Championship Round of Seed Oregon, which will take place in February, 2009.

 

Stay tuned for more information regarding the next round of Seed Oregon, the presenting companies, and Angel Oregon 2009!

 

 

Last Night's Featured Presentations:

 

88, Inc.

88, Inc. is breaking boundaries by creating of a line of jewelry that seamlessly integrates technology and design. Their products leverage the spark between technology and timeless materials and craft, created by women with a woman's reality in mind. The brand represents beauty, empowerment, self-expression, and connection. Contact: Robin Jones, Phone: 415-254-2650

 

 

Golden Signals, Inc. - http://www.goldensignals.com/

Golden Signals creates innovative software & hardware technologies in the field of mobile wireless connectivity. Their first product, DisplayShareTM (patents pending) enables wireless integration of home theaters / conference rooms / classrooms with a notebook or desktop PC. DisplayShareTM is the only solution available to provide easy viewing of any type of digital media - be it photos, HD video, audio, PC games, web pages or PowerPoint slides onto any type of large screen. This is achieved without navigating complex interfaces or trying to overcome file format issues. Subsequent products build upon the DisplayShareTM platform and address sizeable opportunities for a multi-user education product and a TV receiver (cable, satellite, digital converter box) solution.

 

 

Ninkasi Inc. -http://www.vinemasters.com/
Ninkasi Inc. is a Digital Media Advertising company with one product currently in development. VineMastersTM is an interactive, consumer driven, food and wine pairing kiosk for the wine departments of grocery stores. In conjunction with the food and wine pairing software, the kiosks will also serve as digital media screens for co-op advertising.

Contact: Marty Fouts, President and CEO; Phone: 503-349-0363

0 Comments Permalink
0

Fourteen emerging and growing companies to present to venture investors from across the US on October 30 at event in Portland

 

 

 

October 8, 2008, Portland, Ore. — The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) today announced the selection of 14 companies that will present at Venture Northwest 2008 to be held October 30, 2008, at The Marriott Waterfront in Portland. The companies selected to present at OEN’s Venture Northwest in the past have gone on to raise over $1.3 billion in venture funding the since 1997.

 

 

 

“The companies presenting at the conference represent some of the most innovative and creative companies from across the Northwest,” said John Hull, chair of the OEN Venture Northwest 2008 and managing director at OVP Venture Partners. “Some of these companies are seeking their first institutional venture financing while others have already received first rounds of capital from top-tier venture firms. In total, this list of companies represents well the broad spectrum of investment opportunities that flourish in our region”

 

 

 

The companies were selected from a group of 44 companies that applied to present at the conference, and were chosen by a panel of venture capitalists, investment bankers, institutional and angel investors and professional service providers chaired by Brent Bullock, a partner at Perkins Coie LLP in Portland.

 

 

 

Registration information is available at www.oen.org or call the office at 503-222-2270.

 

 

 

 

 

The companies selected to present at OEN’s Venture Northwest are:

 

 

 

AboutUs – www.aboutus.org

 

 

 

Tagging and summarizing every website. AboutUs aggregates website information and captures UGC with the goal of creating the most current and comprehensive guide to the Internet and presenting it in a clear, consistent and summarized format. You’ll find different, interesting and useful information at AboutUs.

 


Advanced Inquiry Systems -[www.advancedinquiry.com|http://www.advancedinquiry.com/]

 

Advanced Inquiry Systems, Inc. (AISI) is revolutionizing semiconductor test, helping our customers combat rising costs in the midst of falling product prices. Our unique solutions enhance flexibility for device design, greatly reduce test floor WIP, and nearly eliminate pad scrub, enabling at speed wafer test for flash, DRAM and logic devices.

 


Collaborative Software Initiative - www.csinitiative.com

 

 

 

Collaborative Software Initiative brings together like minded companies to build software applications at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. CSI introduces this market-changing process to build software for an implementation of a defined standard, an application for regulatory compliance, or a system to provide leverage for multiple companies.

 


DepotPoint – www.depotpoint.com

 

 

DepotPoint is a technology company that deploys a suite of web based workflow and marketplace applications that are designed to accelerate disposal of distressed properties. The company’s solutions are delivered to lenders, trustees/attorneys, REO asset managers, real estate agents, and property buyers resulting in greater processing and transaction efficiency.

 


END Outdoor – www.endoutdoor.com

 

 

END exists to bring affordable, sustainable, high performance footwear to our athletes. Through a powerful design ethos, END will employ a groundbreaking sustainable design and manufacturing process that raises the bar in the industry. Our goal is to only create high performance, sustainable running product that has outstanding fit, comfort and stability.

 


M-Six - www.m-six.com

 

 

 

M-SIX is building a Software-as-a-Service platform for 3D design visualization, analysis, and collaboration. Our simplified workflow reduces designers' costs by >10x while significantly increasing their freedom to invent and collaborate. We’re currently administering a private beta with world-renowned design firms that will enable a revenue stream of $40M within 3 years.

 

 

 

NuScale Power - www.nuscalepower.com

 

NuScale Power is commercializing a modular, pre-fabricated 45 MWe nuclear power plant. The plant can be scaled to any size by grouping modules together. It will be safer and will improve economics by moving to mass manufacturing off-site, simplifying refueling, and permitting units to be added to match demand growth.

 

 

RallyPoint – [www.rallypoint.tv|http://www.rallypoint.tv/]

 

Rallypoint builds and operates the “TV App Store” that delivers web-based services and advertising over the broadband pipe to Internet-enabled television sets without using a set-top box. Rallypoint is seeking to generate $40 to $200 of revenue per Internet-enabled HDTV per year. Rallypoint has developed distribution relationships with the #1 HDTV chipset maker, the #2 and #4 TV OEMs, and the #1 retailer that will ensure general availability of its software and key applications by mid 2009. Rallypoint is raising $3.5M.

 

 

Revelation – www.revelationglobal.com

 

Revelation creates cutting edge web applications for qualitative market research. Launched in 2007, Revelation dramatically extend the reach of qualitative research, enabling companies to collect more data, faster and at a fraction of the cost - while providing a truer picture of the consumer experience. Already generating revenue, Revelation is poised to become the end-to-end platform for qualitative customer understanding and knowledge management.

 


RNA Networks - www.rnanetworks.com

 

 

RNA networks is the pioneer of collaborative cache technology for the enterprise data center. A core architectural building block for the data center, RNAcache provides companies in high-volume transaction and content delivery industries with large-scale cache resources to reach microsecond latency, eliminate performance bottlenecks and achieve high-speed certified messaging.

 


SplashCast - www.splashcastmedia.com

 

 

SplashCast is the leading content syndication service for emerging media. It enables brands to engage with typically elusive audiences by creating micro-channels of continuously-refreshed content consumers value, interact with, and can share with other people. SplashCast syndicates content to emerging media including online social networks, mobile devices, IPTV and desktops.

 

 

 

Tamarac, Inc. - www.tamaracinc.com

 

 

 

Tamarac Advisor™ is the leading portfolio rebalancing and trading platform used by hundreds of advisory firms to dramatically scale their business more profitably. Tamarac’s web-based software automates portfolio construction and maintenance, portfolio monitoring and analysis, cash management, rebalancing, tax management, trading, post-trade reconciliation.

 


Topaz Bridge - www.topazbridge.com

 

 

Topaz Bridge makes enterprise-class HR software applications that combine the power and flexibility of Microsoft SharePoint with the strength and control of SAP. We realize true strategic impact for large companies by saving millions of dollars, while dramatically improving employee satisfaction and maintaining the security and structure of corporate data.

 

 

 

Wi-Chi – www.wi-chi.com

 

 

Wi-Chi designs, manufacturers, and markets highly reliable and efficient nano-inverters for solar PV systems. Driven by a highly experienced team of innovators, Wi-Chi’s proprietary and miniaturized inverters achieve 25 year reliability at significantly reduced cost. Wi-Chi is focused on simplifying installation and enabling solar technologies to achieve grid parity for broad market adoption.

 

 

 

 

 

About Oregon Entrepreneurs Network

 

Founded in 1991, the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing opportunities for Oregon entrepreneurs and improving the business climate for emerging, growth-oriented companies statewide. The organization has members throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. For more information about the OEN, visit its website at www.oen.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Media Inquiries, please contact:

 

Jeff Fishburn

 

OnPR for Oregon Entrepreneurs Network

 

503-802-4408

 

jefff@onpr.com

0 Comments Permalink
0

Come to Bridgeport Brewpub 5pm tonight to see three companies compete in Round 1 of OEN's Seed Oregon PubTalk. The winning company will advance to the final in February and will get to compete for a chance to present at OEN's Angel Oregon 2009 held at the Governor Hotel on March 12th.

 

Tonight’s Featured Presentations:

 

88, Inc.

 

88, Inc. is breaking boundaries by creating of a line of jewelry that seamlessly integrates technology and design. Their products leverage the spark between technology and timeless materials and craft, created by women with a woman’s reality in mind. The brand represents beauty, empowerment, self-expression, and connection. Contact: Robin Jones, Phone: 415-254-2650

 

 

 

Golden Signals, Inc. http://www.goldensignals.com

 

Golden Signals creates innovative software & hardware technologies in the field of mobile wireless connectivity. Their first product, DisplayShare™ (patents pending) enables wireless integration of home theaters / conference rooms / classrooms with a notebook or desktop PC. DisplayShare™ is the only solution available to provide easy viewing of any type of digital media - be it photos, HD video, audio, PC games, web pages or PowerPoint slides onto any type of large screen. This is achieved without navigating complex interfaces or trying to overcome file format issues. Subsequent products build upon the DisplayShare™ platform and address sizeable opportunities for a multi-user education product and a TV receiver (cable, satellite, digital converter box) solution.

 

Contact: Richard Biggs: Phone: 678 231 9195

 

 

 

Ninkasi Inc. http://www.vinemasters.com/
Ninkasi Inc. is a Digital Media Advertising company with one product currently in development. VineMasters™ is an interactive, consumer driven, food and wine pairing kiosk for the wine departments of grocery stores. In conjunction with the food and wine pairing software, the kiosks will also serve as digital media screens for co-op advertising.

 

Contact: Marty Fouts, President and CEO; Phone: 503-349-0363

0 Comments Permalink
0

OEN is getting ready to do a beta of the online community and wants your help. We would like to have you help us test it and contribute content to it. In general we want your help to get the conversation started. If you are interested in finding out more or getting involved, please contact Sarena Regazzoni sarenar@oen.org or call 503-222-2270.

0 Comments Permalink
1

 

 

Doug Fieldhouse of Vesta, ClearEdge Power, ID Experts, nLIGHT and BRING Recycling Are Selected as this Year’s Award Winners

 

 

 

 

 

Sept. 18, 2008, Portland, Ore. — The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) announced the winners of the 2008 OEN Tom Holce Awards for Entrepreneurship during its 15th annual awards ceremony on September 18, 2008. The ceremony, held at the Oregon Convention Center, honored finalists in four categories: Entrepreneurship Award for Individual Achievement; Development Stage Company of the year; Working capital Stage Company of the year; and the Growth Stage Company of the year.

 

 

 

Doug Fieldhouse of Vesta received the 2008 Entrepreneurship Award for Individual Achievement. “Doug exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit that we celebrate with these awards,” said Bob Sternberg, judging chair for this year’s awards. “He thinks big and looks for ways to make a tremendous impact, and he has the ability to execute on those ideas in ways that scale up effectively. His success with Vesta is just one example of his ability to change and jump into new opportunities and persistently grow the business over time.” In addition, he has a long history of mentoring and coaching young entrepreneurs.

 

 

 

In the Development category, ClearEdge Power of Portland, Oregon is this year’s winner. ClearEdge Power is a pioneer and provider of ultra-clean and efficient on-site energy generation systems. They have a substantial market opportunity and are professionally managed, well funded and are making substantial progress with product development and early adoption customers.

 

 

 

ID Experts of Beaverton is the winner in the Working Capital Category. ID Experts provides identity theft protection services for individuals, corporations and the public sector. They have successfully adapted to the changing needs of the market when required. Their painstaking and labor intensive process to restore customers’ identities will make it difficult for other companies to compete successfully against them in this marketplace. Due to these efforts, they have a 100 percent success rate restoring identities.

 

 

 

The winner of the Growth Category is nLIGHT Corporationof Vancouver, Washington.

 

nLIGHTdevelops and manufactures photonics modules for industrial, defense, and medical applications. The company had the vision to intelligently re-invent itself in the early stages of the collapse of the telecom bubble and the temerity to implement that new strategy under extremely difficult circumstances. It applied its skills and ingenuity in the marketplace to create, shepherd and grow a novel mentoring program (MAPS—Mentoring for Advanced Program for Students) that is having a real impact on local education and the future of this community.

 

 

 

BRING Recycling is this year’s winner of the Non-profit Award. BRING Recycling collects and resells low-cost used building materials as well as provides deconstruction and recycling services. Revenues generated fund conservation and education programs about the best way to reuse and recycle. BRING Recycling was selected for its organizational and entrepreneurial strengths overall, and how the organization was able to change course to meet changing demands in the community. BRING Recycling received a $5,000 award from the Meyer Memorial Trust at the Awards Ceremony.

 

 

 

“The recipients of this year’s awards have been successful because of their determination, independent thinking, and their ability to change direction and chart their own course.” said Linda Weston, executive director and president of OEN. “From clean power to identity protection, these Oregon and Southwest Washington companies are making innovative contributions that make a difference in our communities and beyond.”

 

 

 

The winners were chosen from 14 finalists by the OEN award judging committee, chaired by Bob Sternberg. Companies from throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington were nominated for the Awards, and were narrowed to the 14 finalists after hundreds of hours of due diligence, including site visits and face-to-face interviews. A comprehensive list of winners and finalists follows this release.

 

 

 

List of Nominees and winners

 

 

Individual Category

 

 

 

Doug Fieldhouse, Vesta- Winner

 

Ray King, AboutUs.org

 

Susan Sokol Blosser, Sokol Blosser

 

 

Working Capital Category

 

 

 

ID Experts- Winner

 

Beaverton, OR

 

 

 

Pop Art, Inc.

 

Portland, Oregon

 

 

 

PV Powered

 

Bend, Oregon

 

 

 

Growth Category

 

 

 

nLIGHT Corporation- Winner

 

Vancouver, WA

 

 

 

HemCon Medical Technologies, Inc.

 

Portland, Oregon

 

 

 

Timbercon

 

Lake Oswego, WA

 

 

 

Development Category

 

 

 

ClearEdge Power- Winner

 

Portland, Oregon

 

 

 

AboutUs, Inc.

 

Portland, Oregon

 

 

 

Jama Software

 

Portland, Oregon

 

 

 

Plas2Fuel Corporation

 

Chris Ulum

 

Kelso, WA

 

 

 

About OEN

 

 

 

Founded in 1991, the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing opportunities for Oregon entrepreneurs and improving the business climate for emerging, growth-oriented companies statewide. The organization has members throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. For more information about the OEN, visit its website at www.oen.org.

 

 

 

For more information, press only:

 

 

 

Jessica Foote

 

OnPR

 

503-802-4406

 

jessicaf@onpr.com

 

 

 

###

1 Comments Permalink
0

836_SDEHeader.jpg

Ready to Ride at the15th Annual OEN Tom Holce Awards for Entrepreneurship

Thursday, September 18, 2008, 5 PM - Oregon Convention Center - Portland Ballroom

 

OEN is raffling off a custom Triumph Speedmaster motorcycle as part of a fundraiser to support the organization’s programs and services. OEN supports the entrepreneurial community via mentoring, education and networking activities that foster business growth and employment opportunities in Oregon.

 

 

 

The Bike

 

Check out photos of the finished bike. The custom Speedmaster sports 865 CCs worth of power to blaze new trails whether you’re tearing up the Gorge or zooming around town. The bike was customized by Chuck Lange at Pat Clark Motorsports Pat Clark Motorsports and is a signed work of art by world-renowned pin striper Bob Spina.

 

 

 

How to Win

 

The drawing to win the bike will be held at the OEN Tom Holce Awards for Entrepreneurship at 7:30 pm on September 18, 2008 at the Oregon Convention Center. Winners need not be present to win. There are 500 tickets available; price for each ticket is $100. Retail market value is $16,000. Tickets will be sold at the event. Call the OEN office for more information at 503-222-2270.

 

 

 

Attend the event

 

We’re busting loose with the special 15th anniversary OEN Tom Holce Awards for Entrepreneurship dinner. Be there when we honor the best of Oregon’s rule-breaking, adventure-addicted entrepreneurs with a 15th anniversary blow-out.
Prices of the event are $195/ticket and $1950/table. No refunds after August 15, 2008.

 

http://www.memberservicecenter.org/irmweb/wc.dll/orporntw?id=orporntw&doc=events /event&kn=9

Register to attend the event today!

0 Comments Permalink
2

OEN is raffling off a custom Triumph Speedmaster motorcycle as part of a fundraiser to support the organization’s programs and services. The custom Speedmaster sports 865 CCs worth of power to blaze new trails whether you’re tearing up the Gorge or zooming around town. The bike was customized by Chuck Lange at Pat Clark Motorsports Pat Clark Motorsports and is a signed work of art by world-renowned pin striper Bob Spina. See the photos below:

 

 

The OEN Customized 2008 Triumph Speedmaster 4.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OEN customized 2008 Triumph Speedmaster from

the rear view.

5.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OEN customized 2008 Triumph Speedmaster:

Front fender view.

6.jpg

OEN customized 2008 Triumph Speedmaster

signed by legendary pin striper Bob Spina.

Custom Triumph-29.jpg

OEN customized 2008 Triumph Speedmaster on

the showroom floor.

 

Think you might be in love? Call the OEN for details

about how to purchase a ticket to win this

sweet ride 503-222-2270.

 

Drawing to win bike will be held at the OEN Tom Holce

Awards for Entrepreneurship at 7:30pm on September 18, 2008 at the Oregon Convention Center. Winners need not be present to win. There are 500 tickets available; price for each ticket is $100. Retail market value is $16,000.

 

 


Custom Triumph 007.jpg

2 Comments Permalink
0

OREGONLOGO2weblrg.jpg
+Logo by Morange Design+

 

Oregon's Green Advantage11:00 AM - Aug. 13thThe Governor Hotel - Downtown PortlandRegister today!

 

"Sustainability" and "being green" aren’t just overused buzzwords of today, they are buzzwords that describe how we will be doing business for the future. There are real business opportunities for Oregon’s entrepreneurs and investors to capitalize on.

 

Oregon’s Green Advantage gives you the opportunity to meet industry experts and learn what sustainability really is. Entrepreneurs and investors will learn where the new business opportunities are today and find out where the trends are headed for a sustainable future.

 

Following the event, network with Oregon Entrepreneurs at our special PubTalk where you will meet companies that are leveraging Oregon's Green Advantage.

0 Comments Permalink
0

The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network has selected thirteen “Rogues and Renegades” (aka entrepreneurs) for the 15th Annual OEN Tom Holce Awards for Entrepreneurial Achievement. Finalists and award winners will be recognized during the event at the Oregon Convention Center on September 18, 2008.

 

 

 

This year’s event theme “Rogues and Renegades” honors the independent spirit of Oregon’s entrepreneurs.

 

 

 

Congratulations to the ten companies and three individuals selected as the finalists for the following categories for the 15th Annual OEN Tom Holce Awards for Entrepreneurial Achievement!

 

 

 

Development Category

 

 

 

AboutUs, Inc.

 

Portland, Oregon

 

CEO: Ray King

 

AboutUs–Discover, Research and Discuss the Web. AboutUs is a customizable directory of the web that you can participate in. AboutUs offers searchers current and comprehensive website data. Base records are generated algorithmically, wiki and social media technology empowers users to improve it, and a semantic overlay will drive significantly deeper meaning into the raw content. Because AboutUs describes all websites, its potential market is very large. Display advertising and lead generation are anticipated to be our primary sources of revenue. Overall Internet advertising in 2007 was a $21 billion industry which is growing by 26% a year.

 

 

 

ClearEdge Power

 

Portland, Oregon

 

CEO: Jon Slangerup

 

ClearEdge Power is a pioneer and leading provider of ultra-clean and efficient on-site energy generation systems. We manufacture and market the highly efficient CE5, a compact power and heat energy system for use in residential and small commercial buildings. Our corporate headquarters are located in Hillsboro, Oregon with sales offices in northern and southern California. Today, we are positioned at the center of clean energy technology innovation and market