SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2017
9 A
A Midsummer
NIGHT’S DREAM
Newly-appointed coastal
venture
catalyst
David
Youngentob, of the Oregon
Regional Accelerator and
Innovation Network (RAIN),
has wasted no time raising the
bar for Florence entrepre-
neurs. On Tuesday, Jan. 24, he
will host the Startup Speed
Pitch Kickoff, where he will
also announce details on the
inaugural RAIN Coastal Pre-
accelerator program.
“This is an exciting oppor-
tunity for local innovators to
jump start their business ven-
ture. We’re presenting a short-
term challenge in the speed
pitch competition, but our real
hope is that everyone leaves
inspired to move their idea
forward by applying to our
pre-accelerator
program,”
said Youngentob.
The kickoff event will be
held at 5:30 p.m. at the
Kenneth B. Gallery, 1458
First St.
The event is free to attend,
and light food and beverage
will be provided.
Attendees will have time to
network with fellow innova-
tors and will vote for the win-
ner of the speed pitch compe-
tition — which comes with a
$500 prize package.
For more information,
including registration, visit
bit.ly/FloCoKickoff.
The speed pitch portion of
program is open to anyone
with an idea to start a business
in Florence, plans to sell
nationally or internationally
and create jobs.
Each company will have
one minute to pitch its idea.
Companies that would like
to pitch can email Youngentob
at david@oregonrain.org with
the subject line “Speed
Pitch.”
Youngentob said of the
companies that have already
signed-up to pitch, some have
products already being sold in
markets, while others are
merely in the idea stage.
Companies do not need to
pitch to be considered for the
pre-accelerator, but the event
doubles as an opportunity for
entrepreneurs to receive feed-
back that may strengthen their
application to the pre-acceler-
ator.
The pre-accelerator is a 12-
week, bootcamp-style pro-
gram for the best and bright-
est startup companies in
Coastal Lane County.
The application process
opens Saturday, Feb. 4, at
bit.ly/FloCoPreaccelerator
and closes on Feb. 27.
Four to six companies will
be selected for the program,
which begins on March 15.
RAIN began hosting educa-
tional and networking events
for entrepreneurs on the
Oregon Coast in October,
2015. However, this is the
first multi-week program
designed to take an early
stage startups from concept
stage to launch stage.
“The introduction of the
pre-accelerator program is a
testament to the entrepreneurs
in Florence. From the very
beginning, they’ve bought
into everything that RAIN has
offered. And we know that
they are ready to take the next
step,” said RAIN Venture
Catalyst Caroline Cummings.
In coordination with the
Cities of Corvallis and
Eugene, as well as communi-
ties throughout the region,
RAIN is partnered with two
accelerators to create a col-
laborative environment to
assist entrepreneurs in estab-
lishing viable companies that
generate jobs, wealth and
opportunities for the region.
For more information about
RAIN, visit oregonrain.org.
Tale Spinners to host wellness panel Jan.28
Thursday, Feb 2 | 7:00 pm
Florence Events Center
TO N I P I M B L E | A R T I S T I C D I R E C TO R
Shakespeare’s tale of topsy-turvy love with Toni Pimble’s lush choreography
Wandering On, award-winning choreographer Stephanie Martinez‘s new commissioned ballet
The Surrounding Third, Suzanne Haag’s new work set to Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings
eventcenter.org | 541-997-1994 | Events Center Box Offi ce
Stephanie Martinez’s ballet is supported by Hult Endowment Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation
D EADLINE FOR P RESS R ELEASES I S
E VERY M ONDAY AND T HURSDAY BY N OON .
E MAIL P RESS R ELEASES @T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM .
On Saturday, Jan. 28, the
Siuslaw
Tale
Spinners
Toastmasters club will host a
special wellness panel from
10 a.m. to noon in the
Bromley Room of the
Siuslaw Public Library.
Topics for discussion will
include:
• Palliative Care with
Donna Becker, who has a
masters degree in social
work
• Acupuncture
with
Patricia Immel, licensed
acupuncturist
• Yoga with Bill Fleenor,
registered Yoga teacher-500
• Nutrition with Laurie
Stone, certified holistic
nutritionist
• Fitness
with
Tracy
Markley, biomechanics fit-
ness specialist.
This event is open and free
to the public.
According to the National
Wellness Institute (NWI),
“Although there are many
different views on what well-
ness encompasses, we will be
working with the current
general agreement that:
• Wellness is a conscious,
self-directed and evolving
process of achieving full
potential
• Wellness is multidimen-
sional and holistic, encom-
passing lifestyle, mental and
spiritual well-being, and the
environment
• Wellness is positive and
affirming
The definition of wellness,
long used by the NWI is con-
sistent with these tenets.
Wellness is an active process
through
which
people
become aware of, and make
choices toward, a more suc-
cessful existence.”
Come for a spirited and
insightful conversation as to
what wellness may mean to
you, your family and com-
munity.
For more information,
contact Irma Geller at 541-
999-0912.
City Grant Program accepting applications
The City Council Grant
Program will be accepting
applications through Feb. 24,
at 5 p.m.
Applicants can apply for up
to $1,000, and the program will
be awarding a total of $5,000
for FY 2016-17.
Applicant funding requests
need to relate to at least one of
the City Council Goals.
In order for an application to
be eligible, it must meet the
following eligibility criteria:
• Organization is a recog-
nized nonprofit organization or
affiliate of such an organiza-
tion and,
• Organization is located
within the City of Florence or
serving City of Florence resi-
dents and,
• Provides assistance for
essential utilities, food, cloth-
ing, or shelter; or
• Provides educational or
recreational opportunities for
children or seniors; or
• Generates/supports eco-
nomic activity in Florence.
Applications,
eligibility
information and submission
instructions are available on
the City of Florence’s website
at www.ci.florence.or.us.
For information, contact the
City of Florence at 541-997-
3437.
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
RAIN to hold Speed Pitch Competition