The five startup companies selected to compete in the launch stage of the Bend Venture Conference on Oct. 17 had to survive several elimination rounds that began with an initial pool of about 40 applicants, Brian Vierra, venture catalyst for Economic Development for Central Oregon, said Thursday.

“It’s a pretty talent-rich group. This group of launch-stage companies has attracted over $1 million in funding already,” Vierra said. “For a Bend company to make it into the final five, I think it’s as impressive as hell. These are the strongest companies in the region. The competition was stiff.”

The companies scheduled to compete for an estimated $498,400 — the most money committed by investors in the history of the 11-year conference — are:

• Amplion, a Bend medical-technology business that provides information to pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies.

• Bright.md, a Portland company that builds software intended to cut the cost of health care visits.

• CrowdStreet, the commercial real estate crowdfunding site that was conceived in Bend and recently relocated to Portland.

• Homeschool, a Portland designer of snowboard apparel.

• Poached Jobs, a hiring platform created in Portland for industries with high turnover rates, such as the restaurant industry.

Homeschool, Vierra added, is considering moving to Bend.

Out of the initial applicants, eight companies made presentations last month to about 25 investors who are part of BVC LLC. Committees studied the financial records and business models, a process called due diligence, of each company, he said, and members of the BVC LLC investment fund voted Wednesday night for the final five.

Representatives from the launch-stage companies will each have 10 minutes at the conference to pitch their businesses to the Tower Theatre audience. Then each competitor will complete a Q-and-A session with the conference panel.

The $498,400 investment, which could be won by one or more companies, will be awarded by:

• BVC LLC investors, who will decide who receives $323,400, an investment that was recently increased by $26,500 from Craft3, a nonprofit community lending institution.

• Seven Peaks Ventures, managed by Dino Vendetti, which has committed to investing at least $100,000 with launch-stage participants. Other investors have agreed to give $75,000 in side investments to date.

In addition, five Bend startups, selected Sept. 25, will compete in the concept stage of the BVC for $10,000, with the winner selected by an audience vote.

—Reporter: 541-617-7818,

rrees@bendbulletin.com