Jim Bednark

As Greater Portland's economic development organization, we're the only public-private partnership recruiting companies to the entire bi-state region. Greater Portland Inc (GPI) provides support and services to companies seeking to relocate or expand in Greater Portland, a region that spans two states and seven counties. A true public-private partnership model, GPI is supported by more than 70 public-sector partners and private investors who are committed to advancing regional economic development through job growth and investment. GPI and our partners are shaping the region’s economic future and marketing Greater Portland to the world.

Based in Bend, OR, FoundersPad is a venture capital fund and early-stage startup mentorship program working with the best and brightest entrepreneurs. FoundersPad delivers extensive support for our portfolio companies by matching them with a carefully curated team of expert mentors who are committed and incentivized to help them succeed. With FoundersPad you have deep access to highly qualified resources at a critical stage in your company’s life without using having to burn through precious cash. We partner with companies and their founding teams much earlier in their maturation process when most other venture funds consider an investment as “too early” for them. We utilize a deep mentoring approach that spends substantial one-on-one time strategically focusing on taking your from Initial Product Release (IPR) to Minimum Viable Repeatability (MVR). We thrive at working with companies that may have an incomplete team or systems, an immature revenue plan or struggle with a product/market fit and have the confidence and resources to help your company build a sustainable high growth business. We are extremely selective in our investments and mentorship because we commit a considerable amount of our most precious asset: our time. For many who are successful in the mentorship program, FoundersPad will invest capital and help with future fundraising efforts. We have an extensive network to help navigate this exciting growth stage. FoundersPad has both the expertise and capital to help you succeed. FoundersPad companies typically have: • A core founding team in place • An Initial Product Release (IPR) • A serious commitment to growth • At least six months of runway • Little to no professional capital invested and an expectation of pursuing future financing rounds Please visit FoundersPad.com for more information about our program, mentors, and the successful companies we have worked with in the past.

We believe in the power of entrepreneurship to transform lives, industries and businesses. We partner with passionate entrepreneurs who want to make an impact on the world by disrupting large markets with innovative solutions in the data driven enterprise, digital health technologies, consumer software and cloud-based solutions. Because building great companies has always been our passion, we are looking for determined and driven entrepreneurs who refuse to accept the status quo. Our team strives to make your entrepreneurial journey more successful by providing the tools to help you realize your vision – from mentoring and advice to our deep operational expertise and networks of resources in Silicon Valley and beyond. We want to give you an “unfair advantage” to build and scale your business by sharing the insight and acumen we’ve spent years honing because we’ve walked in your shoes.