High Desert
Innovation
Week

October 14-18, 2024
Bend, OR

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Innovation & Collaboration

Join us in our Innovators Sandbox! Come to Bend October 16th-20th for a celebration of entrepreneurship, craft, innovation, and community. From consumer product goods to the outdoor, climate and technology industries, this is an opportunity to see and experience the collaborative energy and resources that make Oregon a hub for entrepreneurship.

Click on any of the events or organizations below to learn more and sign up...

Industry Leaders and Diverse Organizations

The week is a coming together of Bend Central Startup, Cultivate Bend, Built Oregon, Bend Outdoor Worx, VertueLab and Bend Venture Conference.

Learn
Discuss
Connect

Each day will be filled with startup showcases, networking opportunities, inspiring talks from industry and community leaders, marketplaces highlighting Central Oregon companies, informative educational sessions and bootcamps, pitch events, and investment awards.

Schedule of EVENTS

Day 1
October 14th
Day 2
October 15th
Day 3
October 16th
Day 4
October 17th
Day 5
October 18th
Day 1

4:00 pm

-

6:00 pm

High Desert Innovation Fest

Early Stage Pitch Competition Open to all! Come pitch your business idea for a chance to win some $$ and meet the people who will help turn your dreams into a reality! The High Desert Innovation Fest is a unique event where aspiring entrepreneurs from across the PNW get the opportunity to pitch their innovative ideas and network with a diverse audience of industry professionals, Investors, and founders. Set in the heart of the Pacific Northwest in Bend, Oregon, we are kickstarting Bend's Innovation week on October 14th. At its core, High Desert Innovation Fest is a startup competition where experienced and aspiring entrepreneurs alike from across the Pacific Northwest to come and pitch their ideas, meet industry professionals, investors, and receive the resources they need to turn a vision into reality.

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Day 2

12:00

-

6:30 pm

Cultivate Bend

Join Cultivate Bend for an amazing lineup of fireside chats and panel discussions between industry founders, leaders, and community members. Each one will inspire, inform and look to spark conversations around Oregon's unique place within the consumer product ecosystem.The event will take place throughout the afternoon with ample time for networking and community building, including a happy hour reception.

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Day 3

8:30

-

1:30 pm

BOW Bootcamp

The country's first outdoor accelerator. This is where you become unstoppable. Three educational sessions on marketing, funding, and founders’ stories. Attend 1, 2, or all 3 sessions. In-depth panel discussion with time for Q&A. Network with other outdoor industry experts and form lasting connections. Participate in a silent auction of amazing outdoor gear. Our program consists of a 14-week program followed by four monthly sessions. Applicants must be prepared to commit to the program, attend weekly meetings, and come to Bend for some in-person sessions. Our goal is to curate cohorts that are inclusive, diverse, and dynamic.

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Day 3

18:00

-

8:45 pm

BOW Breakout Pitch event

Watch the four early-stage or growth-stage cohort companies compete for cash prizes. Vote for your favorite! Only program members can participate, but watching the event is open to the public.‍ Network with outdoor industry experts and business owners and join a growing outdoor community. Listen to our inspiring and insightful Keynote Speakers tell their brands' stories.

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Day 4

10:00

-

7:30 pm

BVC Day 1

Bend Venture Conference (BVC) is one of the longest standing and largest angel conferences in the Pacific Northwest. Bend Venture Conference (BVC) takes place in beautiful downtown Bend and creating a high-level of entrepreneurial activity and energy. In its twentieth year, BVC is a pillar of Central Oregon’s robust entrepreneurial culture that has transformed this small timber community into a mecca for startups. Throughout the conference attendees hear company pitches, participate in multiple networking activities and listen to inspiring presenters from across the United States. Day 1 includes Morning seminars at Tetherow Resort followed by a kickoff celebration and afternoon pitches at the historic Tower Theatre and returning to Tetherow Resort for an evening networking reception.

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Day 5

8:30

-

4:30 pm

BVC Day 2

Bend Venture Conference (BVC) is one of the longest standing and largest angel conferences in the Pacific Northwest. Bend Venture Conference (BVC) takes place in beautiful downtown Bend and creating a high-level of entrepreneurial activity and energy. In its twentieth year, BVC is a pillar of Central Oregon’s robust entrepreneurial culture that has transformed this small timber community into a mecca for startups. Throughout the conference attendees hear company pitches, participate in multiple networking activities and listen to inspiring presenters from across the United States. Each fall hundreds of entrepreneurs and investors from around the country descend on Bend, Oregon for a two-day celebration of entrepreneurship. Now in its 20th year, BVC is the longest standing and largest angel investment conference in the Pacific Northwest and has served as a catalyst for startup investment in Central Oregon. Since its inception, the BVC LLC Funds have awarded over $12 million in investment and participating companies have leveraged connections from the conference to receive millions in additional funding. Throughout the conference attendees hear company pitches, break away for networking events at local restaurants and learn from aspiring entrepreneurs and industry thought leaders.

Learn more >

Our Amazing ORGANIZATIONS

Meet the groups pushing innovation foward

All Orgs

Bend Outdoor Worx

Bend Startup Central

Bend Venture Conference

Central Oregon Innovation Network

Cultivate Bend

Bend, Oregon, October 2023

Join our Innovation Week!

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