Eight Finalists Selected for 2026 Bend Venture Conference
Economic Development for Central Oregon announced the companies competing for investment at the annual event.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Startups
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Economic Development for Central Oregon has named eight finalists for the 23rd annual Bend Venture Conference. These companies will compete for capital at the Tower Theatre in October.
Why it matters
The conference connects emerging businesses with investors to provide the capital and expertise necessary for scaling operations. Participants compete for significant funding to accelerate their growth plans.
The eight finalists are competing for investment amounts ranging from $100,000 to $2.5 million. Since its inception, the conference has facilitated over $14 million in funding for participating startups.
The players
Economic Development for Central Oregon
This organization drives regional business growth and coordinates the annual Bend Venture Conference.
The details
The finalists include Aquagga, Looptworks, Osheru, Inc., and Penderia Technologies in the Growth Industries category, along with Caravel Bio, CleanHaus, Permeta, and Zing Drone Solutions in the Growth Tech category. Each startup will present its business model on the main stage to demonstrate market traction and established operational concepts.
Timeline
High Desert Innovation Week takes place from October 13-16, 2026.
Finalists present at the Bend Venture Conference on October 15-16, 2026.
Market Landscape
The 23rd annual Bend Venture Conference represents a long-standing effort to foster regional startup ecosystems by connecting entrepreneurs with essential capital. This event series establishes a critical pipeline for growth-stage companies seeking to scale within their respective industries.
Local residents and members of the regional business community can attend the presentations to gain insight into the emerging tech and industry trends. The event serves as a bellwether for the local economic health and job growth potential in the Bend area.
The takeaway
These pitch competitions provide a vital snapshot of the innovation occurring within the region. Investors and business leaders often view these finalists as the primary indicators of where local capital is being deployed to capture future market share.
Further reading
Discover more about the local entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Startups section.
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Do you believe annual venture competitions are effective at helping local businesses succeed in your area?
