Chez Gourmet from Marie is Winner of Oregon Entrepreneurs Network’s Angel Oregon 2012 Investment Competition
Tellagence places second;
OEN’s Angel Oregon 2012 investment award totals a record $344,000
PORTLAND, Ore. – April 18, 2012 — The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) today announced that Portland-based Chez Gourmet from Marie of Wilsonville, a healthy food company that includes veggie burgers, was selected as the winner of OEN’s Angel Oregon 2012 from among the Launch Stage companies competing for the $250,000 angel investment prize. Tellagence, which develops analytics software for social networks to predict behaviors in communities and how information propagates within them, was selected as the second place finisher and will receive an angel investment of $94,000.
Wild Squirrel Nut Butter, with its unique, delicious line of nut butters for health and sustainability conscious consumers, was voted by OEN’s Angel Oregon attendees as Audience Favorite from among the Launch Stage companies and will be awarded a $7,500 market research package from Market Decisions Corporation. Conscious Commuter Corp., maker of a folding electric bike for commuters, was voted Audience Favorite from among the Concept Stage companies and will receive a $5,000 cash prize and be awarded a $7,500 market research package.
"OEN’s Angel Oregon 2012 was a tremendous success; with a record $344,000 in angel investment raised from a record number of angels participate in the investment award.,” said Shelley Gunton OEN’s Angel Oregon 2012 program chair. “Congratulations to all of the entrepreneurs and their companies who competed and took part in OEN’s Angel Oregon."
Over the years the entrepreneurs who have included OEN’s Angel Oregon in their journey, their companies have had a real economic impact on Oregon and Southwest Washington. Since 2003 more than 46 companies have competed in OEN’s Angel Oregon and they have contributed or garnered:
- More than $121 million in combined revenues, up 25 percent from last year among active companies
- Employed more than 741 people, up 38 percent
- Raised at least $7.4 million in angel investments, and altogether OEN's Angel Oregon companies have raised a combined $81 million in angel and VC investment
- There have been seven successful exits, and several have acquired other companies
This year’s finalist companies were selected from nearly 40 companies, based throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington that applied to compete at OEN’s Angel Oregon 2011. A rigorous selection process was undertaken by the panel of more than 57 angel investors to select the companies chosen as the Launch Stage winners. Each angel investor staked at least $5,000 that helped create the $344,000 raised for the investment awards for this year’s event.
OEN’s Angel Oregon is the Northwest’s premier deal flow and networking event for Oregon and SW Washington-based angel investors and early-stage entrepreneurs, which led to the formation of the Willamette Angel Conference, Gorge Angel Conference, Southern Oregon Angel Conference, Bend Venture Conference and the Oregon Angel Fund.
About Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
OEN is a people-oriented network that helps cultivate, nurture and develop emerging businesses and entrepreneurs. Our network of members and breadth of services, offers business education, access to capital networks, support and contacts who can mentor and nurture startup companies’ growth and development. OEN also helps small and mid-sized companies develop and implement strategies for community involvement that jointly meet the goals of the company, the passions of the employees and the needs of the community via its program, EFNW. For more information on OEN and its programs visit www.oen.org.
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2012 OEN Angel Oregon Launch Stage Presenting Company Finalists:
Chez Gourmet from Marie-Wilsonville -@chezgourmet
Rapidly growing $1MM healthy food company that includes veggie burgers served at Burgerville, Sharis, McMenamins and sold at PNW natural retail outlets.
EdCaliber -Portland -@Edcaliber
Reinventing the way K-12 schools leverage digital tools and resources to get results.
Indow Windows-Portland -@Indowwindows
Indow Windows manufactures thermal window inserts that press into the inside of window frames to give double pane window performance at a fraction of the cost.
Tellagence-Portland -@Tellagence
Analytics software for social networks to predict behaviors in communities and how information propagates within them.
Wild Squirrel Nut Butter - Eugene -@wildsquirrel
Unique, delicious line of nut butters for health and sustainability conscious consumers.
Seed Oregon PubTalk Champion:
BikeTrak-Portland - @BikeTrak
A GPS Cellular device covertly attachable to your bicycle to alert you when your bike is moved unexpectedly and track it if stolen.
2012 Concept Stage Presenting Companies
Architectural Applications - Portland
A2’s air conditioning technology creates healthier buildings with lower energy use in the fastest growing parts of the globe.
Blanketbooster, Inc. - Tigard - @blanketbooster
World’s only provider of a more comfortable night’s sleep with a self-assembling blanket lift that creates a “tent for the toes”.
Conscious Commuter Corp. - Portland - @ccomuter
Patent pending folding electric bike for commuters will dominate the commuting niche of the fastest growing sector in the EV market.
FoodTrekker - Portland - @foodtrekker
A new lead generation & marketing platform for all kinds of independent food & drink businesses.
Mad Mike's Food - Hermiston - @MadMikesFood
We are an Eastern Oregon, small batch food production company specializing in sauces and relishes. Our products are made from fruits and vegetables grown in Eastern Oregon and Washington.
Yeti Snow Traction - Bend
Yeti-Trax is the snow chain alternative which takes the process of installing snow chains from 30 minutes to 30 seconds!
