Portland Seed Fund

TOC is leading the way!

The application portal for the 21st annual Bend Venture Conference is now open.

I’m happy to share that, as of yesterday, the A Kids Book About series has been acquired by DK! This is truly a dream come true, as DK is the world's leading non-fiction children’s publisher, having built an iconic brand across the last 50 years explaining big ideas to kids. Truly, I couldn't think of a better home for the A Kids Book About series. My new role will be as VP & Publisher at DK, continuing to grow the series and tell the most important stories kids ever hear! And guess what?! A Kids Co. isn't going anywhere. Not only will the A Kids Co. continue to produce new podcasts, operate the direct to consumer business, seek brand partnerships outside of books, and pursue additional multi-media opportunities, but I'll get to stay along for the ride in my new role there as Founder & Executive Chair. Thanks for all those who've supported me and the stories we've endeavored to tell along the way. A special thank you to everyone who has ever worked on one of our books, your contributions were invaluable. Here's to a future where kids get the stories they need and the grownups in their lives truly believe they're ready!

HMTA is very excited about the work that Brandon Loran Maxwell is doing The Daily Chela. In this interview by the Michigan PBS station, he talks about telling the story of Mexican Americans and the movie American Homeboy. Proud to be investors along with Portland Seed Fund Pam Horan Steve Eichenlaub Angela Jackson

TOC is excited to join the Portland Seed Fund family, thanks to the support from PSF and the #IntrepidOregonFund. We're honored to be part of this amazing community of startups shaping the future. 🌱 #Startups #PDX #Innovation #Optics

What a night in PDX! Sharing "Reignition" with all of you earlier this week was a peak experience. I'm so grateful to the old and new friends who supported me. I also loved catching up with some Good Natured Ass Kickers (GNAKs) from the Jive days. I miss you all a ton. Portland was a perfect city for this: where innovation meets quirkiness, where creativity thrives alongside community and getting things done. It's a city that's had its share of hardship but has maintained (and expanded) its soul. The feedback was a resounding, "I wish I had known that" with a healthy dose of "Can you please speak to my CEO" 😅 . For more "I wish I had knowns," and inside secrets on building great cultures that win, subscribe to my newsletter, One In Ten Thousand (link in my bio). It's where I share even more on inner work that drives outer results, and how human creativity fuels growth." Thanks again, Portland, Angela Jackson, Bill Pierznik, kevin joseph klein (He/Him), Ryan Kirschling, Portland Seed Fund, Kiln, Macro Law Group, Monsoon Inc., and Stifel Bank. #Reignition #Startups #Community #PortlandOregon #Grateful #KeepPortlandWeird

Today concludes an amazing #Research week at the Oregon Health & Science University! What a fantastic line up of speakers, including pioneers of lifescience technologies, brilliant students, entrepreneurs, VC’s and academics that came together to celebrate #innovation. Here are some highlights: 👁️David Huang at the OHSU Casey Eye Institute, a world renowned pioneer of OCT imaging, shared his journey from the humble beginnings which led to the revolution of diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases! Having worked with brilliant mentors like Tim Stout, Benjamin Frankfort, and rui chen at Baylor College of Medicine during my early days in academia, this talk was so inspiring! 💊Transitioning from bench to bedside, the “Marketing your science to industry” panel highlighted the critical significance of adeptly conveying the intricacies of scientific research to industry stakeholders, emphasizing the pivotal role effective #communication plays in bridging the gap between #academia and #industry. 📈 And one of my favorite panels, 'Careers in Venture Capital and Scientific Startups,' featuring the incredible co-panelists Emily Leproust from Twist Bioscience, Angela Jackson from the Portland Seed Fund, and Philip Barish from the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute moderated by Laura Erker was truly inspiring! I deeply admire the determination, resilience, and bravery of every founder who dares to pursue their vision and early investors that support it 🙌 During our discussion, we delved into the challenges and triumphs of the entrepreneurial journey, exploring the 'valley of death' and its implications for startups. It was a privilege to offer guidance to the aspiring entrepreneurs and angels in the audience. #ittakescourage 🔥Most importantly, it is so important to inspire the next generation of young #scientists turned #Entrepreneurs. With the power of #AI and #automation in research, we now have the ability to drive efficiency at unprecedented rates. This has already transformed innovation across the therapeutics, #biopharma and the #medtech sector. It is crucial to support the R&D efforts led by early career researchers in taking their discoveries to new heights. In case you missed this one, come join us at Bio in the Valley organized by Oregon Bioscience Association at HP on May 21, 2024 in Corvallis, OR! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gf2MNQFt #PNW #Innovation #Entrepreneurs #Medtech #Biotech

Beautiful night at Brandlive hosting our May PubTalk with Portland Seed Fund and Silicon Valley Bank. Big thanks to Kyle Swan for moderating our panel of experts Jon Bebe, Angela Jackson and Sam Posl. Cheers to Ned Hayes and Waldemar Krumrick of Darwoft for sponsoring the bar and bringing the Argentinian Malbec. Joseph Hollcraft of IBA expertly introduced our 5 Minute Pitch companies. Congratulations to Carl Bain and Sierra Thomas on amazing (and under time) pitches. Hope to see everyone at Stoller Family Estate on June 12th for our June Networking PubTalk!

Reignition was completed during a “take it down to the studs” moment in my life. Prior to that, I complained incessantly about not being able to find my people. When I stopped trying to earn their love and showed up as raw and open, both in the book and in my life, I realized my community was there all along. I just wasn’t letting them in. It’s as beautiful as it is overwhelming…and obvious in hindsight. Take two minutes today to consider what you’re holding back, and why. It may unlock more than you expect. #Community #Authenticity #Entrepreneurship 

Closing out Innovation Day is an in-person panel for early career members to hear about alternative careers for scientists in venture capital and biotech startups. Panelists include Philip Barish, Angela Jackson, Emily Leproust and Jacques Zaneveld. Register to attend all Innovation Day panels through Eventbrite: https://lnkd.in/gRKs22eJ