Companies miss prize, gain contacts.Byline: Sherri Buri McDonald The Register-GuardNeither of the Eugene-based start-up companies competing at the Bend Venture Conference last week took home the coveted cov·et v. cov·et·ed, cov·et·ing, cov·ets v.tr. 1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy. 2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire. $150,000 investment prize. That honor went to Elemental Technologies Inc., a Portland company The Portland Company was established in 1846 as a locomotive foundry to build railroad equipment for the connection between Portland and Montreal. Its first locomotive, the Augusta, emerged from the shops in July 1848 for delivery to the Portland, Saco & Portsmouth. that says it has developed software that can speed up digital video production using standard personal computers, reducing the need for expensive video editing equipment. The company's founders all are engineers from Pixelworks, a Portland developer of image-processing semiconductors. The Eugene contenders were Floragenex, a spin-out of lab research at the University of Oregon The University of Oregon is a public university located in Eugene, Oregon. The university was founded in 1876, graduating its first class two years later. The University of Oregon is one of 60 members of the Association of American Universities. that says it has developed a faster, cheaper way to conduct genetic mapping of plants and animals Plants and Animals are a Canadian indie-rock band from Montreal, comprised of guitarist-vocalists Warren Spicer and Nic Basque, and drummer-vocalist Matthew Woodley.[1] They are signed to Secret City Records. ; and OsoEco, a Web site that mixes "green" shopping with social networking. Both are in the midst Adv. 1. in the midst - the middle or central part or point; "in the midst of the forest"; "could he walk out in the midst of his piece?" midmost of raising more than $1 million each to take their ideas to market. Although neither of the fledgling companies fattened its coffers at the conference, both said it was worthwhile. "We made some great contacts with new potential investors and renewed discussions with others," said Floragenex co-founder Nathan Lillegard. "(I) was approached by a few (venture capitalists) asking me to submit my executive summary," said Caroline Cummings, president and co-founder of OsoEco. "So hopefully something great comes out of the event. It was a wonderful opportunity and extremely valuable as far as networking." The young entrepreneurs also got the chance to meet and talk with each other. "Nathan and I are talking about starting a chapter of Oregon Entrepreneurs Network here in Eugene," Cummings said. The network is a nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. that supports the entrepreneurial community of Oregon and Southwest Washington. |
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