The following is shared from Economic Development of Central Oregon:
BVC showcases innovative startups and connects entrepreneurs with investors and mentors. There are three categories of competition: Growth Tech Stage, Growth Industries Stage and Early Stage. Applicants must commit to participating in due diligence and presenting in Bend, Oregon for the conference.
Top 10 companies in each track receive one complimentary full conference ticket. Finalists receive a second complimentary full conference ticket. All non-finalist applicants may apply their non-refundable application fee toward an EDCO Member full conference ticket.
Growth Tech is for companies whose core differentiation is technology. This includes software, AI, and platform-driven companies across climate, health, finance, education, enterprise, and other sectors. What defines Growth Tech is how value gets created: through software, algorithms, data, or platform economics, with low marginal cost per additional customer and scalable revenue models. Examples could include a climate tech company using AI to optimize energy grids, a health tech SaaS, or a fintech platform.
Growth Industries is for companies whose core differentiation is brand, physical products, science, or engineering. This includes outdoor and lifestyle brands, food and agriculture, consumer products, biotech and life sciences, hardware, and climate-focused hardware and physical solutions. What defines Growth Industries is how value gets created: through the product itself, the science behind it, the engineering breakthrough, or the brand-driven consumer trust. Examples could include a climate tech company building next-generation heat pumps, a biotech company developing a novel therapeutic, or a direct-to-consumer outdoor apparel brand with a technical product edge.
Early Stage is for Oregon-rooted companies in the early stages of their journey. The track exists to develop local pipeline, support founders before they hit growth-stage maturity and strengthen the overall Oregon and Central Oregon entrepreneurial ecosystem. The diligence emphasis is on founder quality, product potential, unique solution, and ecosystem fit.
Have questions about applying to the Bend Venture Conference? Whether you’re still deciding, working on your application or have already submitted, join us Monday, August 10th at 4pm for a live virtual Q&A covering eligibility, application tips, competition tracks, timelines, and your questions before applications close. No need to RSVP. Join here.