In this supplied photo, 2023 Bend Venture Conference winners display examples of their checks in front of the Tower Theatre. 

Two Bend businesses are among the finalists at the 21st annual Bend Venture Conference.

Square Baby and Health Elements AI are among the five growth stage competitors vying for a cash award that can range from $100,000 to $2.5 million. The other three finalists are Beginly Health, an AI-curated job matching platform for health care clinicians and employers; Green Canopy NODE, a Seattle company making prefabricated residential housing kits; and ProMedix Inc., a Portland noninvasive medical device company that can help with the diagnosis of circulatory dysfunction and sepsis.

Economic Development for Central Oregon hosts the annual Bend Venture Conference, which is among the oldest angel investor conferences in the Pacific Northwest. Since its inception, more than $14 million has been invested in nearly 60 companies. The conference will be held Oct. 17-18 at the Tower Theatre.

“We are excited to have two Bend-based companies among this year’s Growth Stage finalists,” said Brian Vierra, EDCO venture catalyst. “BVC offers these companies a powerful platform to gain the visibility, mentorship and funding needed to scale their businesses.”

Square Baby is the brainchild of a Bend nutritionist and a genetic counselor. After several years of research and development, tasting and testing menus and food, co-founders Katie Thomson and Kendall Glynn will pitch their company to possible investors.

Unhappy with her baby food choices, Bend mother creates Square Baby

Unhappy with her baby food choices mother, Bend mother creates Square Baby. 

“We’re thrilled about the opportunity to pitch at BVC this year,” said Thomson. “We’ve spent the last several years engaging with our core customers and thoughtfully testing and scaling our recipes, operations and direct-to-consumer subscription service.”

An influx of cash would enable the company to fuel growth, increase the speed in delivery through multiple channels and launch innovations, Thomson said.

Health Elements AI CEO Jeff LeBrun said being selected as a finalist validated the company’s mission.

“It is an honor that validates our mission to support exceptional health care quality while easing the growing administrative burden challenging most health care organizations,” LeBrun said. “We gain valuable feedback, build meaningful connections, and have opportunities for funding to help us grow.”

The conference will also feature pitches from companies at a new competition, including the new economy track for startups that provide economic and social returns. The finalists are:

Asha AI, a Seattle company that works with pharmaceutical companies in drug trials.

Hamilton Perkins Collection, a Los Angeles company that creates products from recycled materials and develops regenerative materials.

Hardcore Peanut Butter Spread, a Minneapolis company that uses superfood ingredients mixed into allergen-free peanut butter.

Home Lending Pal, an Orlando, Florida, company that uses credit scores to simulate the home-purchasing process to help educate first-time homebuyers.

In the early stage competition, five startup businesses that pitched in September will compete at the event. Those businesses are:

Fordje, a Portland AI platform that helps construction developers and cities clarify codes and build homes faster.

Howl at the Spoon, a Beaverton business that sells single-serving packets of artisan sauce.

The Offer Haus, a Eugene online platform that allows buyers to purchase a home without a real estate agent.

Prophetic, a Portland platform that finds and analyzes real estate development opportunities.

Rose City Robotics, a Portland autonomous robotic disassembly that enables direct recycling of lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries.