Jumpstart Weekend Oregon Recap
Photo by Christian Zavala
Jumpstart Weekend in Portland this last weekend was an incredible first event for 45Camp, a new program created in collaboration with Tabor 100 and with the support of Prosper Portland and PGE Foundation. Designed as a three day crash course for aspiring entrepreneurs from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, the weekend was one of learning, mentorship, and connection within the community.
The excitement in the room was palpable when participants checked in and mingled for the first time. After introductions and warm welcomes from VertueLab’s President & Executive Director Aina Abiodun, Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship Juan Barraza, and Prosper Portland’s Katherine Krajnak, participants gave rapid 60-second pitches of their concepts before breaking off into groups to begin work. The six teams that formed as a result were Codex, Crop Circle, Sheba, Range Station, Digital Grid, and Carbon Negative Solutions, each with their own concepts and identities. Throughout the weekend, groups met with a series of experienced mentors which included Peter Wolochow, Kaye O'Kearny, Lee Tapper, Shashi Jain, Jade Garrett, and our own Federal Funding Assistance Manager Mary Phillips, receiving guidance on their ideas, pitches, decks, and more.
“VertueLab’s presence in Portland [was] a great way to tap into the community’s leading incubator/accelerator. 45Camp made this extremely accessible by being a free event, bringing in mentors and industry vets, and hosting space.”
Keith Crossland pitching his startup, Carbon Negative Solutions, in front of judges
The event culminated with final pitches from all six teams in front of a captive audience and judges Pallavi Pande, Steve Eichenlaub, and Shashi Jain. The presentations were testament to the spirit of collaboration and the exchange of ideas throughout Jumpstart Weekend, showcasing creativity and novel approaches to climate issues. After fierce deliberation from the judges, teams Carbon Negative Solutions, Digital Grid, and Range Station took home 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place respectively.
“…VertueLab’s presence in Portland [was] a great way to tap into the community’s leading incubator/accelerator. 45Camp made this extremely accessible by being a free event, bringing in mentors and industry vets, and hosting space,” said Keith Crossland of Carbon Negative Solutions.
Teams Digital Grid, Range Station, and Carbon Negative Solutions
Thank you to all of our mentors and judges for volunteering their time for this weekend. A special shout out to Prosper Portland for their support, and to Blue Star Donuts for generously providing donuts for the event. Most of all, a huge thank you to all Jumpstart Weekend Oregon attendees for showing up with curiosity and open minds. We can’t wait to see how the concepts continue to grow!
Interested in attending a Jumpstart Weekend Washington March 15th-17th? Register for tickets here.
