Bend Venture Conference

The Bend Venture Conference (BVC), hosted by Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO), stands as the largest angel conference in the Pacific Northwest, playing a pivotal role in the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Established in 2004, BVC has evolved into a significant platform connecting promising startups with a diverse pool of investors, including angel investors, venture capitalists, and family offices. Its annual event serves as a culmination of months of vetting and preparation, culminating in live pitches and substantial investment decisions.

BVC's investment strategy is structured across three distinct categories: Growth Stage, Early Stage, and Impact. This multi-tiered approach allows the conference to support companies at various points in their development, from nascent ventures to those poised for significant scaling. Since its inception, the conference has demonstrated a robust commitment to fostering innovation, having invested over $40 million into more than 150 companies. This impressive track record underscores its sustained impact on the startup landscape. Notably, in 2016 alone, BVC deployed over $4 million in capital, highlighting its capacity for substantial annual investments.

The typical investment sizes at BVC vary considerably based on the stage and nature of the company. For Growth Stage companies, investments commonly range from $500,000 to $1,000,000, targeting businesses with proven traction and significant scaling potential. Early Stage companies, often seeking initial seed or Series A funding, typically receive checks between $100,000 and $250,000. Furthermore, BVC maintains a dedicated Impact category, supporting enterprises that aim to generate positive social or environmental change alongside financial returns, with investments in this segment generally falling between $50,000 and $150,000. This structured investment approach ensures that capital is deployed strategically to best support the diverse needs of the participating companies, solidifying BVC's reputation as a critical funding source in the Northwest.