Eimar Boesjes (left), Founder of Moonshadow Mobile, won the 2015 WAC.

10 Reasons to Attend the Willamette Angels Conference

Pitches, WAC Awards, an after party and more at the May 11 investor conference

The Willamette Angels Conference (WAC) makes its semi-annual return to Corvallis on Thursday, May 11 at the Historic Whiteside Theatre. Tickets are still available! And here are 10 reasons why you should attend:

1) Learn what it takes to pilot a rocketship startup: Eric Breon, founder and CEO of Vacasa, the second largest U.S. technology-enabled vacation rental company, is this year’s featured speaker. In a conversational format, Breon will discuss the origins of Vacasa, its recent, rapid growth, as well as his personal advice for entrepreneurs.

2) Root for the underdogs: They may not be in the running for six-figure investments, but our Launch Stage companies will surely win your hearts. You’ll see speed pitches from Give More, Gobtech, 3D Nanocolor, Stoney River Sinkers, Treehouse Chocolates and Una Touch.

3) Meet our MVPs: The WAC would simply not be possible without the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem of the South Willamette Valley. We will recognize a few key individuals from our community with WAC Awards, including Entrepreneur of the Year, Mentor of the Year, and the Rocket Fuel Award.

4-8) The WAC Finalists: Our five finalists have made it through an exhaustive due-diligence process, and now it’s down to one final pitch! This year’s finalist companies include:

Costanoan Biotechnologies (Portland): Designs, develops and manufactures membranes for the purification of high value therapeutic proteins from complex solutions.

Diatomix (Beaverton): Developers of a bioengineered photocatalytic technology that actively and continuously improves indoor air quality.

Hemex Health (Portland): Provides new diagnostics for malaria and sickle cell disease where there’s no viable test today.

Heritage Laboratories (Eugene): A luxury skincare supplement brand targeting Asian American women.

OpConnect, Inc (Portland): Operates a platform-as-a-service that manages electric car chargers made by a number of manufacturers to help charger owners maximize revenue.

9) What will the Angels decide? In recent year’s, the announcement of investment winners by the Willamette Angels has been anything but boring. They’ve picked one winner; two winners, and any combination of sidecar deals. You certainly won’t want to leave early!

10) Toast to the end of WAC from up in the Sky: The Wells Fargo After Party at Sky High Brewing & Pub will be a can’t-miss as we celebrate the end of another WAC and look ahead to our 10-year anniversary in 2018.

 

Founded in 2009, The Willamette Angels Conference is an investment group that connects early stage and seed startups with angel and venture investors. Startup and entrepreneurial applicants receive funding, mentoring, and connections to other advisory resources. WAC is designed to advance the innovation economy in Oregon and the Willamette Valley. Throughout its nine existence WAC has invested over $3 million in startup businesses. WAC is produced in partnership by: The Corvallis Chamber of Commerce and Oregon RAIN (Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network), and supported by the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Corvallis-Benton Economic Development Office.

 

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