Walla Walla Investors are Sweet!
Melissa Freeman
July 2024
We aim to be the leading venture capital fund for the entire state of Oregon AND Southern Washington, despite our name. Many bridges connect our states across the Columbia River, creating robust economic regions from Longview and Astoria to Walla Walla and Pendleton.
Entrepreneurship is alive and well along the river that connects us, as people innovate to make their local industries more efficient and compliant, cleaner and sustainable. Investment is also thriving as locals expand their wineries, agricultural production facilities, contribute to urban renewal projects, and improve access to broadband connectivity.
The OVF team reached out to our investors, friends, and colleagues who live in Walla Walla, and to those who have raved about their experience visiting the historic town just north of Milton-Freewater. Their insight and guidance enabled us to reach close to 30 representatives from several industries on Tuesday, July 16 at the Bledsoe Family Winery Tasting Room on Main Street.
Local investors with expertise in agriculture, wine, business mergers and acquisitions, and commercial real estate development, including the refurbishment of the Marcus Whitman Hotel and entire city blocks in Walla Walla, came to learn about investing in startups through the Oregon Venture Fund. In addition, a few entrepreneurs showed up to share their work with OVF and the crowd.
For example, Riley Clubb, co-founder of Harvust, has developed an HR management tool for faster farmworker onboarding and training with translation services, that is now recommended by the Washington Farm Bureau.
Phil Neumann, Co-Founder and CEO of Mainstem Malt, is building an innovative malt supply chain that supports family farms, rural communities and landscape-scale conservation.
Russ Davis, President and CEO of Perca, Inc. is revolutionizing wastewater treatment by employing earthworms to digest contaminants and remove biotoxins before water is recycled.
We are still reflecting on the smart, sweet acquaintances we made and the amazing wine and food. We hope our invitation to those north and east of the Columbia River to invest locally with us resonates. And we can’t wait to go back.
Many thanks to our supporters who made the reception possible: Matt Dittrich, Chad Freeman, Jay Haladay, Tiffany Hegarty, Tony Lucarelli, Erik McLaughlin, Brenda Meltebeke, Andrew Rowe, Nancy Serrurier, Penny Serrurier, and Bob Ward.
Oregon Venture Fund is on track to invest $100M over the next five years. Accredited investors may contact Melissa Freeman to learn how to participate. Follow OVF on LinkedIn for VC thought leadership and to become familiar with the entrepreneurs and companies we are backing in Oregon and Southern Washington.