Cascade Seed Fund Invites Early Stage Companies to Apply for Funding
Entrepreneurs seeking investment capital have an opportunity to present their early stage businesses to Cascade Seed Fund with the opening of its first application period running from from November 12, 2019 to January 17, 2020. This is the first of several planned application periods for 2020. Entrepreneurs interested in applying can do so via Gust.
The Fund anticipates investing in 5-8 companies annually. Investments are made in early-stage technology and consumer products companies with those initial investments anticipated to average $250,000 per company.
The Fund’s mission is to create regional opportunities for businesses to drive economic growth, fuel prosperity, and generate a return for investors. Cascade Seed Fund is managed by 44North Ventures, under the leadership of Julie Harrelson and Robert Pease. Harrelson, an entrepreneur, investor and leader in Oregon’s startup community, founded Cascade Angels Fund in 2013 and managed all five predecessor funds to Cascade Seed Fund with over $5 million invested in 30 companies. Pease has over 20 years of experience as an investor, founder, operational executive, and consultant. He joined Julie in the management of Cascade Angels Fund V and serves as a Venture Partner to the previous Cascade Angels Funds.
OBI Client Company Wins
- Madorra was awarded a $500K Phase IIB SBIR extension grant from the NSF. Madorra also delivered the pilot study device. Fully tested and documented: Madorra has finished its first medical device!
- Rewire Neuroscience has been busy pitching recently. They pitched at and won Founders Live PDX in September, pitched at Oregon Bioscience Association’s Company Pitch Showcase in October, and pitched at TAO’s Ignite: Health in November. They have also been accepted into the NVIDIA Inception Program.
- Sparrow Pharmaceuticals competed in and won Oregon Bioscience Association’s Company Pitch Fest (photo above).
- Vir Bio went public. In October, Vir raised $142.9 million in gross proceeds from an initial public offering.
Welcome OBI/OTRADI’s Newly Appointed Board Chair Joseph Janda
Joe has served on OBI/OTRADI’s board of directors for 3 years and was recently voted on as OBI’s Board Chair. He is Assistant Vice President in Research and Graduate Studies at Portland State University. As Assistant Vice President, he leads the innovation commercialization activities including intellectual property development and licensing, entrepreneurial training and support, engagement with the entrepreneurship ecosystem, and engagement with faculty and research groups to grow their research portfolios with an awareness of impact, commercial, and IP considerations.
Grace Bio-Labs has a special offer for the OTRADI and OBI community. Email info@gracebio.com if you would like to partake.
Upcoming Events
OBI Event: Join us for the Lunch & Learn – Who’s on your Board of Directors on December 18th from 12-1pm. Register now. Free to attend.
OHSU Event: OHSU’s Invent Seminar Series on January 7th from 12-1pm will focus on “How to approach market research.” Register now. Free to attend.
OBI Event: Join us at our first 2020 Accelerate Biotech & Digital Health Happy Hour on January 9th from 5:30pm – 7pm at OBI/OTRADI. Register now. Free to attend.
Thank you to Oregon Bioscience Association for sponsoring this event.
BIO International Event: BIO International Convention will be in San Diego from June 8-11th. Start-Up Stadium was designed to provide start-up companies with the opportunity to engage key members of the investment community, venture philanthropy groups, strategic partners, and non-dilutive capital at the world’s largest biotechnology event. Apply now.