Last week’s Portland Business Journal cover story is a look at companies we’ll be watching next year (and the years to come), based on reporting on dozens of startups in 2022.
We did the same thing last year with our inaugural Startups to Watch. So, how are they doing now? Here’s some 2022 updates from companies we highlighted at the end of 2021.
The Wild, which makes a virtual and augmented reality collaboration tool for architecture, engineering and construction, was acquired in March by California software maker Autodesk (Nasdaq: ADSK). Terms were not disclosed but everyone involved made clear that founder Gabe Paez and The Wild’s vision for extended reality — a combination of AR and VR — would be central to Autodesk’s XR strategy. Paez still leads the team that is now part of the Autodesk XR group.
Radious, which allows homeowners to rent out extra space for remote workers, was again a finalist for the Bend Venture Conference. This time the startup was competing for the growth stage award. The company also completed the Portland Incubator Experiment program and expanded to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Co-founder and CEO Amina Moreau has been helping to host Portland startup community co-working days at Radious properties.
Gabbi created a risk assessment model to help women understand their risk of breast cancer and then formulate action plans. The startup raised $4.4 million from investors in the fall. This capital will be used to fund hiring and product development. Next year, the company intends to launch with employers who will offer the product as an employee benefit.
ToolBelt makes a construction employment app to connect general contractors and homebuilders to subcontractors and tradespeople. This year it hired industry veteran Mark Raines as chief operating officer. Raines comes from EagleView, where he ran the company’s construction segment. The startup also expanded to Southern California and Northern California with its job marketplace going live in both places.
Lazarus 3D makes personalized, realistic-looking organs to allow surgeons to practice surgery. It raised $6 million from investors earlier this year. The capital will be used to help the company go to market with its first products, which are aimed at surgeons working with patients on genital-urinary conditions. The company is seeking further federal clearances to apply its technology to organs including heart, brain and pancreas.
Mise, which makes specialized footwear for chefs and others in the hospitality industry, received its first batch of products after months of manufacturing delays in Asia. The company was able to get shoes into the hands, or on the feet, of people who pre-ordered and to start selling product on its web site. It is planning a restock early next year.
