Founded in 2011, Portland Seed Fund is a venture capital firm based in Portland, Oregon. It invests in seed-stage companies across the Pacific Northwest, with a focus on Oregon. The fund is sector-agnostic but has invested predominantly in B2B software and SaaS startups. Since its inception, PSF has invested over $8 million in more than 90 companies, which have gone on to raise over $370 million from other sources.
Oregon Venture Fund, established in 2007 and based in Portland, Oregon, is a prominent venture capital firm dedicated to supporting startups and early-stage growth companies primarily located in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The firm invests across a diverse range of sectors, including energy, healthcare, consumer products, technology, and life sciences, among others. It typically commits between $500,000 and $4 million per investment round, with an annual investment of approximately $15 million. Oregon Venture Fund focuses on nurturing innovative businesses that demonstrate high growth potential, aiming to create significant job opportunities within the region. With a portfolio that has led to the creation of over 4,200 jobs, the firm is recognized as one of the most active and effective venture funds in North America.
The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency in the United States that funds and supports research and education in science and engineering. It funds fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering and administers non-dilutive funding programs to aid early‑stage technology development, helping translate discoveries into commercially viable products and services. Through grants and fellowships, the NSF supports researchers, educators, and startups, contributing to innovation and U.S. competitiveness. The agency operates with a substantial budget to advance science, engineering, and STEM education nationwide.
Elevate Capital is a venture capital firm based in Hillsboro, Oregon, established in 2016. It focuses on seed and early-stage investments across the United States, with a regional emphasis on the Pacific Northwest and Portland metro area. The firm targets technology-enabled startups and seeks to diversify founder representation, supporting ventures founded by underrepresented entrepreneurs. Elevate Capital typically participates in early rounds and makes minority investments, providing more than capital through advisory support and access to networks to aid long-term growth. Portfolio scope includes software, life sciences, hardware, consumer products, fintech, healthcare, sustainability, and related technology sectors.
Rogue Venture Partners is a venture capital firm that funds startups and early-stage companies, with a focus on Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. The firm supports entrepreneurs through capital and resources to accelerate growth and expand the region's entrepreneurial footprint.
Cascade Seed Fund is a Bend, Oregon-based venture capital firm that makes pre-seed and seed investments in software companies and consumer brands in the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 2013, the firm focuses on early-stage technology and consumer products startups in the Northwest, providing support through initial rounds and modest investments to help founders bring innovative offerings to regional and broader markets.
The U.S. Department of Energy is a government agency established in 1977, located in Washington, D.C. Its primary mission is to ensure the security and prosperity of the nation by tackling energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges. The Department focuses on promoting transformative scientific and technological solutions to address these issues, thereby supporting the country's energy needs and environmental sustainability.
Seven Peaks Ventures is a Bend, Oregon-based venture capital firm founded in 2013 by Dino Vendetti that focuses on early-stage technology companies. It backs seed and Series A rounds in data-driven enterprise software, digital health technologies, ML/AI, IoT and cloud-based solutions, with a Pacific Northwest and West Coast orientation. The firm generally invests between 2 and 8 million dollars and seeks opportunities in B2B software, healthcare IT, financial technology, cybersecurity, energy tech, and other information technology sectors.
Voyager Capital is a Seattle-based venture capital firm focused on technology startups in the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. It invests in early-stage and growth-stage B2B software, analytics, cloud infrastructure, big data, and AI-enabled solutions, often leading first venture rounds and providing follow-on support. Founded in 1997, Voyager Capital maintains offices in Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver, and offers portfolio companies strategic guidance, go-to-market support, and team-building resources to help build market leaders.
Stormlight Holdings is a family office and private investment firm established in 2019, located in Portland, Oregon. It serves as the investment arm of the Silverstein Family, managing and directing their financial interests and assets. The firm focuses on a diverse range of investment opportunities, aiming to grow and preserve the family's wealth over the long term.
FocusVision is a company focused on delivering deep customer insights that extend beyond mere feedback to uncover the motivations and emotions that drive consumer behavior. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York, the firm offers a comprehensive suite of experience insights software solutions, including advanced surveys, online interviews, focus groups, and qualitative research community tools. These solutions enable businesses to map customer journeys, test brand health, assess product concepts, and gather employee feedback. FocusVision serves a diverse range of clients, including major corporations such as Facebook, Procter & Gamble, and Microsoft, and is recognized for its innovative approach to customer experience management, having received the 2018 Martech Breakthrough Award. With additional offices in several U.S. cities and Europe, FocusVision aims to empower brands to authentically connect with their customers by revealing the underlying truths that shape their perceptions and actions.
Columbia Sportswear is a U.S.-based company that specializes in designing, developing, marketing, and distributing active outdoor and lifestyle products. Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, the company aims to provide innovative and authentic outdoor gear for active consumers of all ages. Columbia Sportswear operates under several brands, including Mountain Hardwear, SOREL, prAna, and OutDry. Its products are available in approximately 100 countries, reflecting its commitment to meeting the needs of outdoor enthusiasts worldwide.
Insight Partners is a global software investor that partners with growth-stage technology and software companies. The firm focuses on growth-stage software, internet, and data services, with emphasis on fintech, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and machine learning, DevOps, and healthcare. Based in New York City with offices in London, Tel Aviv, and Palo Alto, Insight Partners has backed more than 750 companies worldwide and has more than 55 portfolio companies that have achieved an IPO. As of 2022, the firm reports over $75 billion in assets under management. It seeks to fund and work closely with visionary executives, providing practical, hands-on software expertise to support growth from initial investment through to IPO.
U.S. Venture Partners is a Menlo Park-based venture capital firm established in 1981 that concentrates on early-stage and growth investments in technology and healthcare. The firm backs business-to-business software, IT security, consumer internet, mobile, e-commerce, and IT-enabled healthcare services, as well as digital health, cloud technology, and life sciences including oncology. Its focus spans enterprise software, cybersecurity, healthcare IT, SaaS, manufacturing, and related sectors on the West Coast. The team comprises former entrepreneurs, technologists, executives, and industry experts who help portfolio companies scale and reach customers.
Founded in 2000, Peninsula Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California with an additional office in Portland, Oregon. The company specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on software, infrastructure, and core technology sectors within the United States, particularly the Western U.S.
Bain Capital is a Boston-based multi-asset alternative investment firm that sources, funds, and manages investments across private equity, venture capital, credit, and public equity. Founded in 1984, it operates globally with specialized units focused on growth and buyout investments, life sciences, and impact-oriented opportunities. The firm backs companies across sectors including healthcare and life sciences, technology, software and data services, financial services, consumer, manufacturing, and industrials, spanning from early-stage ventures to growth equity and large-scale acquisitions. It emphasizes value creation through strategic support and partnerships, leveraging deep operating experience and a global network. Its life sciences arm targets pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and diagnostic companies; the Double Impact unit pursues market-rate returns alongside measurable social and environmental benefits; Bain Capital Ventures backs technology-enabled businesses from seed to growth across enterprise software, infrastructure, and services. The firm maintains offices in Boston and major markets worldwide, aiming to deliver competitive returns while supporting innovation and economic development.
E8 Angels is an angel investment network based in Seattle, Washington, established in 2006. The organization focuses exclusively on early-stage clean technology companies that aim to enhance sustainability and health on the planet. E8 Angels partners with innovative entrepreneurs, providing them with investment capital and strategic guidance to foster market success. The network has invested nearly $14 million across 43 companies throughout North America, including regions such as Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and British Columbia, Canada. By leveraging the collective expertise of its members, E8 Angels is dedicated to accelerating the transition to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable world.
Founded in 1997, Big Basin Partners is an early-stage technology investment partnership based in Sammamish, Washington. They specialize in working with entrepreneurs who have not yet raised traditional venture capital funds or may not have a business plan. The firm focuses on helping these entrepreneurs identify their initial target markets to support the growth of their companies.
Ideaship specializes in investing in early-stage US startups with innovative inventions. It provides strategic patent strategy and filing services to enhance companies' intellectual property portfolios, thereby increasing their valuation potential.
Founded in 2016, Align Capital Partners is a Dallas-based private equity firm with an additional office in Ohio. The company focuses on lower mid-market investments across the United States and Canada, making control investments in growth-oriented companies within business services, technology, specialty manufacturing, and distribution sectors.
Madrona Venture Group is a Seattle-based venture capital firm founded in 1995 that backs technology and consumer startups from seed through growth stages. It focuses on information technology, software, digital media and advertising, e-commerce, data analytics, fintech, cloud, mobile, and AI, as well as related infrastructure, hardware, and robotics. The firm primarily targets companies in the Pacific Northwest and the broader West Coast, and often leads investments with a goal of taking board seats to help portfolio companies scale from early development to market leadership.
Founded in 1968, Intel designs, manufactures, and sells essential technologies for cloud, smart, and connected devices worldwide. Its product portfolio includes platform products like central processing units and chipsets, along with non-platform products such as accelerators, boards and systems, connectivity products, and memory and storage products. Intel serves original equipment manufacturers, original design manufacturers, and cloud service providers.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) leads initiatives in food, agriculture, natural resources, and rural development. It aims to expand markets for agricultural products globally, foster alternative markets domestically, improve rural infrastructure, enhance food safety, promote nutrition education, and manage public lands collaboratively.
SmartForest Ventures was an early-stage venture capital firm based in Portland, Oregon, founded in 2000 by Hugh Mackworth and Debi Coleman. The firm focused on investing in promising technology companies in the Pacific Northwest, particularly within the information technology sector. SmartForest aimed to foster the growth of innovative entrepreneurs by providing not only capital but also valuable expertise and mentorship, positioning itself as one of the region's first incubators. However, the firm phased out of business in 2015.
Founded in 1991, Endeavour Capital is a private equity firm based in Portland, Oregon. The firm focuses on investments in lower mid-market companies across the Western United States.
Advantage Capital Partners is a United States‑based venture capital firm that provides growth equity, debt, and mezzanine financing to small and mid‑market companies, with a focus on underserved communities and state and local economic development. The firm invests across sectors including manufacturing, technology, business services, life sciences, and energy, and also supports real estate development projects with equity and debt. It typically makes initial investments ranging roughly from half a million to ten million in companies with modest sales, and may participate in larger follow‑on rounds or co‑invest with other firms. It uses senior debt, mezzanine debt, subordinated loans, and government‑guaranteed lending, and often pursues equity positions through preferred shares or convertible notes. Advantage Capital operates nationwide in the United States, with roots in New Orleans and offices in multiple states, and has backed thousands of jobs and housing projects as part of its mission to expand inclusive economic growth.
Vintage Wine Estates is a privately held wine company comprised of a consortium of vintner families with extensive experience in the wine industry. The company owns a diverse collection of winery estates and brands, including Clos Pegase Winery, Cosentino Winery, Girard Winery, B.R. Cohn Winery, Swanson Vineyards, Viansa Sonoma, Windsor Vineyards, Cameron Hughes, Firesteed, and several others. Vintage Wine Estates is dedicated to producing high-quality wines and providing exceptional customer experiences across its wineries located in Napa, Sonoma, California's Central Coast, Oregon, and Washington State. The brand portfolio also features exclusive labels such as Middle Sister, Tall Dark Stranger, Pro-mis-Q-ous, Monogamy, Girl & Dragon, and Purple Cowboy, reflecting a commitment to craftsmanship and innovation in winemaking.
Nike is a leading global brand in the athletic footwear and apparel industry, known for designing, developing, and marketing a wide range of products including shoes, clothing, and sports equipment. The company's portfolio includes the well-recognized brands Nike, Jordan, and Converse, catering to various sports categories such as basketball, running, and football. Footwear constitutes a significant portion of Nike's sales, generating approximately two-thirds of its revenue. The company operates a vast retail network, which includes company-owned stores, franchised locations, and third-party retailers, alongside e-commerce platforms in over 40 countries. Founded in 1964 and headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike relies on a global supply chain, predominantly outsourcing production to contract manufacturers across more than 30 countries. With a commitment to innovation and societal impact, Nike seeks to foster progress for athletes and the broader community.
Lithia Motors is a prominent automotive retailer headquartered in Medford, Oregon. It operates over 500 stores globally, offering new and used vehicles from more than 50 brands across the United States, Canada, and the UK. The company is committed to providing customers with an honest and simplified buying and service experience.
Oregon Sports Angels is a non-profit angel network based in Oregon, dedicated to investing in early-stage companies that cater to athletes, teams, and fans. Composed of a diverse group of experienced sports industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors, the organization aims to identify and support innovative sports and fitness products and services. Oregon Sports Angels focuses on high-potential investments in various sectors, including sports products, experiences, services, and technology. Beyond financial backing, the members actively engage in mentoring and coaching entrepreneurs, providing essential resources for business development.
Montlake Capital is a private equity and growth capital firm based in Seattle, Washington, with an additional office in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1999, it pursues control or non-control investments and serves as a proactive board member for portfolio companies. The firm focuses on middle-market opportunities in the Northwest and Western United States, with a preference for the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions. It targets companies with revenues of $5 million to $50 million and EBITDA of $1 million to $10 million. Sectors include consumer products and services such as food and beverage, health and wellness, household products, outdoor and active lifestyle, pet products, personal care, and specialty apparel; business services such as distribution and logistics, professional services, human capital, and education and training; financial services including community banks, insurance, and wealth management; growth technology such as communications and networking, digital media, e-commerce, hardware, IT services, and software; retail. The firm typically takes a minority stake and provides active governance to support growth.
OVP Venture Partners, established in 1983, is a Seattle-based venture capital firm with an additional office in Portland, Oregon. The company specializes in early-stage investments, primarily in the biotech, clean-tech, and technology sectors across the United States. OVP is known for its Entrepreneurs Fund, which brings together leading entrepreneurs from the Pacific Northwest to co-invest in projects alongside the firm, providing deal flow, contacts, and seasoned insights. The firm has a proven track record of navigating various market cycles and has successfully raised and managed multiple funds since its inception.
Tiger Global Management is a New York based investment firm that manages public and private market strategies to pursue technology-driven growth opportunities worldwide. Founded in 2001 by Charles (Chase) Coleman, the firm invests in leading global companies across various industries, with a particular emphasis on technology-enabled growth. In public markets it employs long/short and growth strategies, while in private markets it targets opportunities from early to late stage. The firm operates globally, including the United States, China, India, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, and works with portfolio companies across their lifecycle to drive long-term value.
Built Oregon is a digital magazine dedicated to showcasing Oregon's entrepreneurial network through engaging storytelling. It aims to inspire entrepreneurs and connect businesses with support organizations.
Founded in 2003, Riverlake Partners is a private equity firm based in Portland, Oregon. The firm focuses on investing in small, profitable companies operating in various sectors such as manufacturing, business services, and consumer products across the United States and Canada.
Casa Verde Capital is a venture capital firm based in West Hollywood, California, founded in 2015. It concentrates on early-stage investments in the cannabis sector, with a focus on ancillary businesses that do not touch the plant, including areas such as agtech, health and wellness, financial services, technology, media, compliance, and laboratory technology.
Meketa Investment Group is an employee-owned investment consulting and advisory firm founded in 1978, with its headquarters in Westwood, Massachusetts. The firm has established itself as an independent fiduciary, serving a diverse clientele through a comprehensive range of services, including investment policy formulation, pacing analysis, and private market integration. Meketa also conducts diagnostic assessments of investment portfolios, reviewing existing investment policy statements, asset allocation strategies, and actuarial reports. With a team of over 200 professionals, Meketa operates from multiple offices located in Boston, Miami, San Diego, Portland, New York, and London, providing clients with tailored guidance and support for informed decision-making.
Martis Capital is a California-headquartered private equity firm with offices in San Francisco and Washington, D.C., focused on middle-market investments in the United States. The firm concentrates on the healthcare sector and related industries, including consumer and wellness, products and diagnostics, information technology, services and outsourcing, and life sciences, aiming to partner with mid-sized healthcare companies to support growth and strategic development.
Providence Health & Services is the third largest not-for-profit health system in the United States, dedicated to meeting the healthcare needs of communities, particularly those who are poor and vulnerable, across Alaska, California, Montana, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. This Catholic health care system operates multiple hospitals and numerous non-acute facilities, including physician clinics, long-term and assisted living, palliative and hospice care, and home health services. With a workforce of over 73,000 caregivers, Providence Health & Services provides a comprehensive range of medical services from birth to end of life. The organization also emphasizes virtual healthcare, offering specialized care in areas such as cancer, heart health, neurosciences, orthopedics, primary care, pediatrics, and maternity care, ensuring patients have access to treatment seven days a week.
Curzon Energy focuses on the exploration, appraisal, and development of oil and gas properties. It primarily holds leases to approximately 45,370 acres of prospective coal bed methane lands located in Coos Bay, Oregon.
Chalice Brands Ltd. is a prominent player in the U.S. cannabis industry, focusing on retail, processing, wholesale, and distribution. The company operates twelve owned dispensaries and manages an additional four in Oregon, positioning itself as a leader in this competitive market. Chalice Brands emphasizes health and wellness through its diverse product offerings, particularly under the recognized Chalice Farms brand. Additionally, the company operates nationally under the Fifth & Root brand, extending its reach into California. With a commitment to innovation and quality, Chalice Brands maintains a cash-flow positive status, reflecting its strong performance in the mature cannabis sector.
Alaska Air Group is the parent company of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, headquartered in Seattle. The company operates across three segments: the Alaska Airlines segment, providing scheduled passenger and cargo transportation on Boeing and Airbus aircraft within the United States and to parts of Mexico and Costa Rica; the Regional segment, comprising Horizon and other third‑party carriers under capacity purchase agreements, serving shorter domestic and cross-border routes in the U.S. and Canada; and the Hawaiian Airlines segment, delivering scheduled passenger and cargo service on Hawaiian aircraft. Alaska Airlines is a major U.S. carrier on the West Coast, carrying a large share of traffic between Alaska and the Lower 48 and expanding to serve additional East Coast, Mexican, and Canadian destinations.
Rigado Inc. is a manufacturer of Bluetooth low energy modules and a provider of edge-as-a-service infrastructure tailored for commercial Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. The company offers a range of products, including Bluetooth connectivity solutions, evaluation boards, and a firmware package for wireless functionality. Rigado's edge computing capabilities are designed to support applications such as asset tracking and smart buildings, featuring flexible wireless gateways and a containerized computing platform. Additionally, Rigado provides comprehensive product development services, including electrical design, RF and wireless engineering, software design, mechanical design, and industrial design. The company serves various sectors, including health and fitness, kiosks, payment systems, and military research. Founded in 2010 and based in Portland, Oregon, Rigado has established strategic partnerships with several industry leaders to enhance its offerings and facilitate large-scale IoT deployments.
Capybara Ventures is a managed seed capital fund dedicated to supporting technology-based growth businesses in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Based in Portland, the firm has a track record of launching over 25 venture-backed companies, leveraging the extensive experience of its principals in operations management and technical expertise. Through their deep industry relationships, Capybara Ventures aims to facilitate the development and success of innovative businesses within its portfolio.
Founded in 2001, Capricorn Investment Group is a global investment firm that manages assets for individuals and institutions committed to driving sustainable positive change. It invests across public equity, fixed income, private equity, and real assets markets, with a focus on environmental, health, and social impact.
Founded in 2002, Northwest Technology Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Portland, Oregon. It focuses on seed and early-stage investments in software and technology companies.
Aequitas Capital Management, founded in 1993 and based in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is an alternative investment management company that specializes in Private Credit and Private Equity solutions. The firm leverages its expertise in finance, management, and technology to source, structure, and implement investment opportunities. Aequitas focuses on a diverse range of sectors, including real estate, healthcare, education, financial services, consumer services, media, retail, transportation, and manufacturing. Through its disciplined approach and commitment to innovation, Aequitas aims to provide valuable investment partnerships for individuals and institutions.
HealthCor is an investment management firm focused on healthcare and life sciences. It provides investment management, accounting and advisory services to healthcare-focused clients, including investment companies, pooled investment vehicles, pension and profit-sharing plans, sovereign wealth funds and foreign official institutions. The firm allocates capital across global public equity markets and selectively targets growth opportunities in healthcare and life sciences through private equity investments. HealthCor combines bottom-up fundamental analysis with top-down strategies and supplements in-house research with external research resources. Founded in 2005, HealthCor is headquartered in New York City with additional offices in London and Norwalk, reflecting an international footprint.
Hayfin Capital Management is an independent investment firm headquartered in London that provides lending solutions to European middle-market companies and asset management services to institutional clients. Founded in 2009, it operates a European-focused platform with offices in London, Paris, Madrid, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Luxembourg and Tel Aviv, and maintains a growing presence in the United States with New York. The firm concentrates on four credit strategies: Direct Lending, Special Opportunities, High-Yield Credit and Securitized Credit. It emphasizes value investing through rigorous analysis and disciplined investing, with a network-driven origination approach and specialized teams in healthcare, shipping and real estate to manage complex restructurings, workouts and liquidations. Hayfin aims to deliver risk-adjusted returns for investors and attract talented professionals across its markets.