Oregon InC Weekly Media Clips: July 18 -25th
Venture Financing Drops for Youngest Companies as Older Ones Suck Up More Cash
New York Times- July 19, 2008 By Abha Bhattarai
In an ominous sign for Silicon Valley’s entrepreneurial machine, venture capital firms are cutting back on their investments in companies at their earliest stage of development and being forced to provide extra financing for later-stage companies that can’t leave the nest and go public [more]
Bader keeps an eye on both the big and small pictures
EasyStreet CEO is very involved in economic development
Portland Business Journal by Aliza Earnshaw Friday, July 18, 2008
For most CEOs, running a small company in a highly competitive market would be occupation enough.
Not for Rich Bader. The co-founder of Internet services company EasyStreet Online Services Inc. has been deeply involved for years in many of Oregon's economic development efforts. [more]
Harvest the Sun — From Space
New York Times- By O. GLENN SMITH July 23, 2008
AS we face $4.50 a gallon gas, we also know that alternative energy sources — coal, oil shale, ethanol, wind and ground-based solar — are either of limited potential, very expensive, require huge energy storage systems or harm the environment. There is, however, one potential future energy source that is environmentally friendly, has essentially unlimited potential and can be cost competitive with any renewable source: space solar power. [more]
Oregon solar industry approaching solstice
No one's talking, but potential deals could bring thousands of $50,000-a-year positions
July 22, 2008 RICHARD READ- The Oregonian
At least three big solar companies are considering Oregon for manufacturing plants that, along with the unannounced expansion of an existing project, could provide thousands of family-wage jobs. Government and business brokers of the potential deals -- including Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who recently hinted at imminent news -- refuse to name companies. But The Oregonian has uncovered expansion plans and potential plants that would build the state into something of a Solar Forest, capitalizing on Oregon's expertise in silicon, an ingredient of both solar cells and semiconductors. [more]
$250M 'science quarter' plan fulfills longtime dream
The South Waterfront development links OMSI with higher-ed institutions
Friday, July 18, 2008 Portland Business Journal - by Wendy Culverwell
A $250 million building proposed by the Oregon State Board of Higher Education could be an important next step toward creating a science and technology district spanning both sides of the Willamette River near Portland's South Waterfront. Last week, the board included funding for a state-of-the-art medical building in its $1.36 million capital project budget. The proposal will be evaluated by the governor for inclusion in the budget submitted to the 2009 Legislature. [more]
More venture capital flows to Oregon
July 19, 2008 By Mike Rogoway The Oregonian
The latest venture capital tallies out today contain a pleasant surprise for Oregon - some previously unpublicized investments that made the first half of 2008 a robust one for the state's startup community. [more]
Oregon's business climate gets top ranks in study
The East Oregonian
SALEM - An Ernst and Young report on state business taxes for fiscal year 2007 shows Oregon has one of the lowest business tax rate structures in the United States. [more]
2008 Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Summit Opens in Vancouver
Government, community, business and academic leaders from nine states and provinces gather for 18th annual PNWER Summit
July 20, 2008- Market Watch
The 2008 Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) Summit kicked off today in Vancouver, marking the first of five days in which public and private sector leaders from federal, state, provincial and municipal governments will work with business and community leaders to discuss strategies that strengthen the region's economy and long-term sustainability. [more]
Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Releases Innovation Strategy
Pacific NorthWest Innovation Network (PNWIN) aims to link post secondary and research institutions with private sector partners
Jul 23, 2008 MARKET WIRE
A new framework for advancing innovation opportunities among post-secondary institutions, the private sector and workforce development organizations in the Pacific Northwest will result in unprecedented collaboration and the expansion of opportunities for researchers, students and professionals in the region. [more]
The Next Generation of Alternative Energy
Venture capitalists flirt with solar thermal, algae, and wave power
By Katy Marquardt July 25, 2008
Now that alternative energy is the new darling of Silicon Valley, investors are pumping cash into a raft of obscure technologies, from wave power to algae fuel. Despite the sluggish economy, alternative-energy start-ups received a record $2 billion in venture capital funding in the second quarter of 2008, a 58 percent increase from a year earlier, according to Cleantech Group, a market research firm. [more]
Wave energy planning process provides 'historic opportunity'
Jul 23, 2008 By Terry Dillman Of the News-Times
The ocean is vast, even the comparatively small piece considered as Oregon's territorial sea, which extends from the state's coastline to three nautical miles offshore. Suggestions for making use of those waters and beyond are growing exponentially: marine reserves, ocean observatories, wind energy farms, gas and oil drilling, open ocean aquaculture, and wave energy [more]
Oregon officials envision solar plant for former Hynix site
Gov. Ted Kulongoski scrambles to find a new use for the former factory and, possibly, its workers
July 25, 2008 RICHARD READ The Oregonian
State economic officials are racing to match the Hynix Semiconductor plant, which will wipe out 1,400 jobs in Eugene when it closes, with one of several companies considering solar manufacturing in Oregon. [more]
Entrepreneur aims to launch Hood River tech incubator
Friday, July 25, 2008 Portland Business Journal
It's taken Allen Barteld more than a year to raise $350,000 for his Seattle-based software startup.
But it's taken less than three weeks to land more than $1 million in committed cash for a clean tech incubator Barteld proposes to start in Hood River. [more]
Courtney Warner
Innovation Council Coordinator
Oregon Economic and Community Development Department
work: 503-229-6063
cell: 503-333-7097
courtney.warner@state.or.us
