About this programme
Bend Venture Conference (BVC) calls itself the largest angel investment conference in the Pacific Northwest. It is presented by Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) and has run for more than two decades in downtown Bend.
The conference puts startups in front of a room of angel and venture investors. Companies pitch on the main stage at the Tower Theatre, and the event also runs networking sessions and speaker presentations for founders and investors who attend.
Alongside the pitch competition, BVC operates its own investment vehicle, the BVC Fund, which lets accredited investors co-invest in companies that come through the conference.
How it works
Companies apply into one of three tracks: Growth Tech, Growth Industries, and Early Stage. BVC's fund managers and investors can reclassify an applicant between tracks if they believe a different track fits better.
For the Growth Tech track, applicants go through an initial screening, then a subset is invited to pitch virtually or in person to the selection team and investor cohort. Semi-finalists move into due diligence, and finalists present on the BVC main stage in October.
Growth Tech applicants must have software, AI, or technology-driven differentiation without a physical component, at least $250,000 in product revenue in the last 12 months, and must be currently raising $250,000 to $2,500,000 or more in investment capital.
Top 10 companies in each track receive one complimentary full conference ticket; finalists receive a second complimentary ticket. Applicants who don't make the finals can apply their non-refundable application fee toward an EDCO Member full conference ticket instead.
Who can apply
All applicants must have an open funding round being raised during BVC's investment window, which runs September through November 2026.
Applicants must be a US-based C-corporation with a deal instrument and structure already in place and ready to receive investment.
Companies must commit to participating in due diligence, presenting in person in Bend, Oregon on October 15-16, 2026, and taking part in investor meetings as needed.
How to apply
- Review the three competition tracks (Growth Tech, Growth Industries, Early Stage) and the requirements for each.
- Submit an application through the BVC application portal before the annual deadline.
- If selected, go through an initial screening and, if advanced, present to the selection team and investor cohort (virtually or in person).
- Semi-finalists proceed to due diligence; finalists present on the main stage at the Tower Theatre during the conference on October 15-16, 2026.
Frequently asked
Can any startup apply, or does BVC only take fundraising companies?
You need an open round being raised during BVC's investment window (September through November 2026), and you must be a US-based C-corporation with your deal instrument and structure already set up to receive investment.
What's the difference between the Growth Tech and other tracks?
Growth Tech is for companies whose core value comes from software, AI, or a technology-driven platform without a physical product; it requires at least $250,000 in product revenue in the last 12 months and a raise of $250,000 to $2,500,000-plus.
Is there a cost to apply?
There is a non-refundable application fee; if you don't make the finals, you can apply that fee toward an EDCO Member full conference ticket instead.
When is the 2026 conference?
The conference takes place in downtown Bend on October 15-16, 2026.
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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.