Join us at BVC!

October 2026
Melissa Freeman

For 23 years, the city of Bend has been opening its welcoming arms to entrepreneurs and investors from around the state and beyond for a well-organized two-day angel investment conference. This year, BVC will be held on Oct. 15-16 at the Tower Theatre. Companies ranging from early to growth stages will pitch and compete for investment dollars. Over $14M has been awarded since inception. They have two “Growth” tracks this year. Growth Industries is for companies whose core differentiation is brand, physical products, science, or engineering. This includes outdoor and lifestyle brands, food and agriculture, consumer products, biotech and life sciences, hardware, and climate-focused hardware and physical solutions. Growth Tech is for companies whose core differentiation is technology. This includes software, AI and platform-driven companies across climate, health, finance, education, enterprise, and other sectors.

My favorite part is the lunch on Friday where participants are divided up and directed to a local restaurant that is reserved for BVC guests. For several years, I have enjoyed lunch with brilliant leaders including the late Shelley Gunton, co-founder, Castor & Pollux Pet Food, and Sam Pardue, CEO and Founder, Indow Windows. Next week, Deepthi Madhava and I will be there along with OVF investors to meet founders and build relationships with colleagues in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

If you are seeking a great networking opportunity with energetic people who are building innovative products and solutions for a variety of industries, check out the Bend Venture Conference, organized by EDCO, Economic Development of Central Oregon. Tickets are still available at Bend Venture Conference.