Venture NW 2011, Bend's Venture Conference & Seed Oregon Deadline Near

Deadlines are coming up fast for two competitions sponsored by the Oregon Entrepreneur Network (OEN.) The Seed Oregon PubTalk is a unique opportunity for companies from Oregon and Southwest Washington seeking capital within the range of $100,000 to $2,000,000. In this competition, CEOs of emerging companies learn the rules of the road for effective fundraising and receive coaching from content experts. The first application deadline is Friday August 12.

Central Oregon is gearing up for their annual venture competition October 13-14, and southern Oregon companies are welcome to apply! The competition is targeting $200,000 for its primary investment award, and has added a “concept stage” award that will be worth $5,000 to $10,000 as well. The early bird application deadline is August 12, with an application fee of just $99 that includes a ticket to the event. Learn more and plan your trip to Bend at http://www.bendvc.com

OEN's Venture Northwest is an outstanding networking opportunity for all entrepreneurs and investors. Not only will your application be reviewed by a selection committee filled with investors, but if you are selected, you will be invited to present at the conference, as well as attend the prestigious Intel/Perkins Coie Investor Reception on the eve of the main event. Applications to Venture Northwest are due Friday, September 2. You can learn more and apply via http://www.oen.org/invest.aspx

Personal Gifts & Funding a Business

The Types 5 of Personal Gifts
• Cash (direct to you, paid on your behalf, etc.)
• Discounts (letting you piggyback on a deal…)
• Freebies (free use of something or someone)
• Sweetheart Deals (overpayment, 1st choice…)
• Loan Forgiveness (from debt to gift)

Making Personal Gifts Work
• Gifts always cost time, usually cost aggravation, and sometimes even money
• Gifts work best when leveraged
• Most start‐ups depend on gifts, but don’t notice them
• Restate them as “in‐kind payments” to realize their value
• Get it in writing, e.g. a promissory note, see: www.inc.com/guides/2010/10/how‐to‐write‐a promissorynote.html

A possible source of grants for small businesses is the White House Faith-Based and Community Initiative funding that comes from federal agencies like HUD down through to churches and non-profits, to which you apply for a grant for your business. Do not be misled by the name, the program is for any for-profit or non-profit business that qualifies. You can view the program at http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/