Stumptown Startups Blog

We all know the public library can be a great resource and physical space for job seekers, but what about for job creators?  

A friend and co-worker sent me this recent article that got me thinking: maybe the Multnomah County Library could benefit from helping startups just as much as the startups it could help.

Fear not – you won’t miss out on any local discounts or specials with a new smart phone app launching this week in Portland.  It’s called FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) Sonar.

It uses GPS technology to notify you on your phone about discounts and happenings at the places you’re near at any particular time.  You have control over what businesses you allow so you aren’t overwhelmed with pop-ups. So far, six businesses have signed on to be included in the FOMO app.

Here's how it works: When you're in the area of a particular bar, you'll get notifications for what's happening at that bar. Certain bars and restaurants offer deals for discounted or free items if you are signed up for the app.

With a new mayor in town reevaluating each area of the budget, I had questions about the city’s future financial support for local startups.

Those questions would be part of a series I’m working on about the Portland Seed Fund, which gets about half its funding from public money (Portland, Hillsboro and the state of Oregon). It then provides funding and mentoring to several new startups twice a year. I wanted to know if new Mayor Charlie Hales would continue to back it.

Well, it seems the city isn’t just supporting that startup program, it’s also starting its own.

The team at local startup GigaPan has painted a pretty nice picture over the last few years.

According to a press release, the company creating “interactive gigapixel imaging technology” is experiencing record growth and has partnered with companies like CNN and National Geographic. It has even gotten a feature here on KATU (obviously the most important media). 

But zoom in to the man at the helm and you’ll find someone new: Josh Friedman is taking over as CEO.

Friedman replaces the company’s founder, Henry Hillman Jr., who served as the interim CEO and founded the company in 2008.

He points to Friedman’s hire as a way to take GigaPan to the next level.

There is some good news for early-stage startups in Portland.

Today the startup incubator Upstart Labs announced a partnership with Portland-based private equity firm Rogue Venture Partners. Rogue Venture Partners intentionally invests in Oregon-based companies and has worked with accelerators like PIE and Portland Seed Fund.

Having trouble finding a running partner?  Look to race yourself, instead. 

A tool coming out by Christmas this year will help you do just that, according to Portland startup OnTheGo Platforms. The founders are building software and applications for the Vuzix Smart Glasses.

“It records your route, time and distance, then you race that recorded route,” explained founder Ryan Fink.  “When you start to fall behind, you'll see a 3D avatar start to run out and run exactly where you ran from the time before.”

There are some people smiling over at Portland tech startup Urban Airship this week; the software developer just landed $25 million in new funding.

As our partners at the Portland Business Journal reported, the money will be used to help the company expand internationally. You can read more about the deal in the Business Journal report.

Food, drinks, and football.  That's all we need on Super Bowl Sunday, right?.  Oh, and it’s the only day of the year we actually want to see commercials, too.

But I’m thinking our day can be made better.  Come on Portland-area startups: what can you offer to make Beyoncé’s half-time show that much better for me?  I want your suggestions!

I remember hitting the reset button on my odometer and feeling anxious. While I had run the distance around my parents house at least a dozen times times, I couldn't shake the curiosity: how far did I really run? So, I got in my car and drove the distance. The best I can tell you today is that it was somewhere between three and four-and-a-half miles. Somewhere around six if I took the long way.

Well, now I rely on the Nike+ Running app. I can now tell you exactly how far I ran (or show you on a map), how fast I ran and how often. Some woman with an accent even tells me I did a great job when I'm finished (who needs a running partner now?!).

But imagine the next step. Imagine sunglasses that allow you to race the ghost of your best self. Yep, that's in the works (more on that coming on KATU News soon). Startup companies are creating the next big thing in fitness and athletics and Nike plans to get in on the action by helping some succeed from an office in Northwest Portland.