High Desert
Innovation
Week

October 14-18, 2024
Bend, OR

Innovation & Collaboration

Join us October 14th-18th 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...

Community Driven

The week is a coming together of Bend Central Startup, Cultivate Bend, Bend Outdoor Worx, 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 local companies, informative educational sessions and bootcamps, pitch events, and investment awards.

Schedule of EVENTS

Day 1

5:00 pm

7:00 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.

Learn more >

Day 2

12:00 pm

6:00 pm

Cultivate Bend

Get ready for Cultivate LIVE! Cultivate Bend’s growth summit for the natural products industry in Central Oregon. Don’t miss this premier annual event where entrepreneurial talent meets CPG industry innovation experts! We’re gathering the industry’s brightest minds to present their visionary expertise that is sure to provide inspiration to grow your business. Engage in dynamic Pitch Showdowns where local brands vie for the opportunity to be picked up by regional natural grocery retailers, brand bragging rights, and prizes. Additionally, don’t miss a chance to interact with Cultivate Bend members and brands at the Marketplace through sampling, tasting, and purchasing a wide assortment of local natural products. A Happy Hour will close out the day making Cultivate LIVE! an unmissable opportunity to network, inspire collaboration, and cultivate growth in Central Oregon’s thriving natural products community!

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Day 3

8:30 am

1:30 pm

BOW Bootcamp

From the nation's first outdoor business accelerator, Bend Outdoor Worx, comes the fifth edition of BOW BootCamp—an educational series designed to equip start-up businesses with the knowledge and tools to advance to the next level. The sessions cover essential principles for launching and running a successful business, featuring top industry experts. This year’s sessions will focus on sales, funding, and founders’ stories. You can attend one, two, or all three sessions. Each session includes in-depth panel discussions with ample time for Q&A. Network with other outdoor industry professionals and establish lasting connections. Full information and panelist bios can be found on the BOW ticket page.

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Day 3

6:00 pm

8:45 pm

BOW Breakout Pitch event

Bend Outdoor Worx (BOW) announces the 2024 BOW BreakOut, a pitch event dedicated exclusively to outdoor companies. This fall marks the seventh edition of the popular outdoor product pitch event. Four early and growth-stage companies from BOW’s latest cohort are preparing to pitch their ideas on stage at the Open Space Event Studio. They will compete for a no-strings-attached cash prize, with the winner decided by an audience vote. The event will also feature a dynamic keynote speaker following the outdoor pitches.

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Day 4

10:00 am

7:30 pm

BVC Day 1

Now in its 21st year, BVC is the largest and longest standing angel investment conference in the Pacific Northwest and has served as a hub for entrepreneurship in the region. This year’s conference will gather entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, and students at the Tower Theatre in Bend on October 17-18th. Since its inception, BVC LLC Funds have awarded over $14 million in investment and participating companies have leveraged connections from the conference to receive millions in additional funding.

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Day 5

8:30 am

4:30 pm

BVC Day 2

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Day 5

5:00 pm

7:30 pm