Entrepreneurial group TiE Oregon is shaking up its annual Pitch Oregon competition this year.
While the competition has consisted of one event, this year, the group is splitting it into three components that target different areas of the Portland metro. The group said it could also add other events.
The first up is the Westside Pitch in Washington County on April 3. The two other events will spotlight Clackamas County and Multnomah and Clark county startups. Applications to pitch at the Clackamas County and the Multnomah/Clark Counties events are online. No dates have been set for the latter two events.
“We look forward to building on the success of past Pitch Oregons with this year’s focus on Washington, Multnomah, Clark and Clackamas county entrepreneurs,” said TiE Oregon President Donn Diamond in a written statement. “By partnering with municipalities, we’re not only fostering a culture of innovation but also strengthening the bond between entrepreneurs and the regions they call home.”
Like past events, these versions of Pitch Oregon will include cash prizes and professional services. The event is aimed at startups in the traded-sector, technology, as well as those that are “tech-enabled.” Startups should be in early stages and have potential for high growth.
Last year, LeapFrog Design, a Bend-based company, won the early stage competition and $20,000. The event also included awards from Elevate Capital’s Innovation Gap Fund II.
In addition to the changes within the Pitch Oregon program, TiE also has several new board members to start the year. The group’s four new board members are:
- Travis Cannon, director of integration solutions at RadarFirst
- Rachel Jagoda Brunette, philanthropic director of Foundation Source
- Hamed Mirzaei, senior medical scientist of global affairs at Amgen
- Sonali Sampat, chief experience officer at The Inturnship
- Michael Sheridan, senior financial advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
- Reggie Wideman, customer engagement at LiveRamp.
