High Desert Innovation Week

The High Desert Innovation Fest is a unique event where aspiring entrepreneurs from across the Pacific Northwest get the opportunity to pitch their innovative ideas and network with a diverse audience of founders, investors, entrepreneurial organizations, and members of the general public interested in the startup ecosystem. At its core, this event is a chance to bring together the startup and entrepreneurial communities together with industry groups and investors to network across verticals and organizations. As a kickoff to innovation week, the High Desert Innovation Fest showcases Central Oregon as a center of innovation and entrepreneurship.

BOW’s BreakOut:
Join Bend Outdoor Worx for the Longest-Running Outdoor-Exclusive Pitch Event!

The tenth edition of BOW’s BreakOut pitch event will feature five companies from BOW’s recent cohort. They’ll take the stage to pitch their businesses and compete for $10,000 in no-strings-attached cash awards. The winner is chosen by audience vote!

Connect with outdoor industry experts, business owners, and a growing community of people shaping what’s next in the outdoors. Come early to check out the Oregon Outdoor Alliance (OOA) Silent Auction, with proceeds benefiting OOA, and grab a free beverage on BOW.

BOW Bootcamp:
BOW, the nation’s first outdoor industry accelerator, now in its eleventh year of operation, kicks off Wednesday with BOW BootCamp, a series of educational sessions designed to equip startup businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to reach the next level. This year’s sessions will focus on sales, funding, and founders’ stories, featuring in-depth panel discussions with time for Q&A. The panels will include top industry experts from well-known brands, and attendees can sign up for individual sessions or all three.
‍
BOW Breakout:
BOW’s eigth annual BreakOut pitch event, created exclusively for the outdoor industry, will feature four early- and growth-stage companies from BOW’s most recent cohort to present their businesses as they compete for a $10,000 no-strings-attached cash award. The winner will be determined by an audience vote. The entertainment continues with a keynote presentation.

As Central Oregon’s flagship entrepreneurship event, BVC creates an opportunity to connect investors and industry leaders with startups looking to scale. Thursday’s agenda kicks off with conference seminars focused on strengthening startup business foundations across industries, a keynote presentation and the Early Stage Track competition. The evening ends with the BVC Networking Reception at Broken Top Club, Central Oregon’s biggest networking event of the year.

Bend Venture Conference is the largest and longest standing angel investment conference in the Pacific Northwest. Each year, a new BVC Growth Fund is raised to invest in the most promising growth stage companies that compete in the annual conference. BVC has served as a catalyst to mobilize capital for participating companies and since its inception, investments and awards to participating startups have totaled over $14 million. Friday’s agenda will feature a keynote presentation, startup pitches by Growth Stage finalists, as well as presentations from industry experts. The two-day event ends with an awards ceremony.