Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (July 7, 2018)
8A | SATURDAY, JULY 7, 2018 | SIUSLAW NEWS PHOTOS BY JARED ANDERSON & MARK BRENNAN/SIUSLAW NEWS “L ook, Mama! It’s shooting stars!” one three-year-old said when the big fireworks show began Wednesday on the Port of Siuslaw Boardwalk. Families gathered together for patriotic events all day in Florence and surrounding commu- nities. More festivities continue tomor- row with Oregon Coast Military Museum’s third anniversary celebration and the eighth annual Wings and Wheels event. STARTUP from page 1A The weekend will bring to- gether entrepreneurs and start- up enthusiasts to share ideas, form teams and learn what it takes to launch a business ven- ture. “Dozens of cities worldwide have created these Startup Weekends,” said David Youn- gentob, Coastal Venture Catalyst for Oregon Regional Acceler- ator and Innovation Network (RAIN). In fact, more than 139,000 people have created more than 23,000 teams in 150 countries at over 2,900 Startup Weekend events. And that’s only since Startup Weekend began through Techstars in 2007. “There is a long list of com- panies that got started through Startup Weekend that later went on to become recognized or bought by another business,” Youngentob said. These include LootCrate, Rover, Foodspotting and Even- tup. Youngentob himself went through a Startup Weekend as he and his partners worked on several ideas. “It’s definitely more fun to ‘do’ a Startup Weekend,” he said. “You get to bring all your ideas out and the event helps you get to the great idea.” Now, he is planning the Ore- gon coast’s first Startup Week- end. “RAIN is excited to lead the organizing to make this happen for the startups here,” he said. The event is produced by Oregon RAIN, LaneSBDC, City of Florence and Pure Or- ganic Energy; is supported by the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce and Techstars; and sponsored by Oregon Pacific Bank, Lovejoy’s Restaurant & Tearoom and Surftown Coffee Company. Florence City Manager Erin Reynolds said, “This is an ex- citing new milestone for our region’s economy. A Startup Weekend is unheard of in a community of our size. Howev- er, Florence entrepreneurs and stakeholders are exceptionally eager and willing participants, and it’s a credit to them that we can endeavor to host this event.” Entrepreneurs from RAIN’s other coastal communities, in- cluding Lane, Lincoln, Linn and Benton counties, will also be en- couraged to come to the event. “The Startup Weekend pulls people in a community into the same space to listen to ideas and band together,” Youngentob said. “The goal of the weekend is about acting on those ideas.” RAIN Communications Spe- cialist Matt Hollander said, “En- trepreneurs have a tendency to work in isolation until they feel like their project is ‘just right.’ However, working with others and their differing ideas, experi- ence and expertise can help you develop further. They will help you see the solution you can’t see yourself.” Startup Weekend Oregon Coast begins on Friday, July 13, at 6:30 p.m. with a dinner ca- tered by Lovejoy’s. After dinner and networking time, participants will gather to pitch business ideas. “The premise is to bring out ideas, push forward with a prod- uct and seek validity in the mar- ketplace,” Youngentob said. Attendees will then vote on the best pitches and form teams based on which project they want to work on. “The challenge is really how to find that great idea,” Youn- gentob said. “To do that, you have to start with a lot of ideas.” Startup Weekend peers and mentors will help launch that great idea forward. “There will be mentors there the whole time, many of whom can be recognized from RAIN’s other events on the Oregon coast,” Youngentob said. These include Mike Webb, vice president and commercial relationship manager for OPB’s Florence branch; Jack Hannigan, Oregon Coast Humane Society board president; and Brad Attig, who provides alternative financ- ing guidance to early-stage com- panies through RAIN’s Venture Catalyst Program. On day two, teams will learn from the local mentors as they develop a prototype of their business. Youngentob said this will in- clude creating a business mod- el, defining goals and getting to a ‘concluding arc’ — where the entrepreneur team will build out a pitch presentation that shows what the startup could become. The event concludes Saturday night when teams present their projects to the audience and a panel of experts. “There are many potential benefits of a startup weekend,” Youngentob said. “Of course, we may see a team that leaves the event with plans to launch a company. But each and every participant will meet other in- novators who could become fu- ture business partners, network with experienced entrepreneurs and truly learn what it takes to launch a business venture.” When Youngentob went through Startup Weekend with one of his business ideas, he learned several valuable lessons. Ultimately, he began supporting other startups through his work with FertiLab and RAIN. “The important part of every Startup Weekend is meeting like-minded folks and making those connections to help you move forward,” he said. “The goal is to experience core pro- cess of business discovery, from company concept to customer research and initial business prototyping. It can happen in just over 24 hours, and it will at this event for all our attendees.” Startup Weekend tickets are on sale at go.startupweekend. org/florence. Admission in- cludes three meals, benefits and discounts, expert speakers, net- working opportunities and un- limited internet and coffee. For more information, visit www.oregonrain.org. Siuslaw News readers can take advantage of an exclusive offer for a free ticket to Startup Weekend Oregon Coast. To claim a free ticket, visit go.star tupweekend.org/ florence, select a ticket and en- ter promo code: SiuslawNews Florence Food Share provides food to those who are hungry in our community. If you have four hours a week available, we are in need of vol- unteers to staff our Front Desk and also act as Guides as clients walk through the pantry. Please call our volunteer coordinator, Sarah Lovejoy, @ 541-997-9110 (Monday – Friday, before noon) to learn more about volunteering. info@lorence- foodshare.org 2190 Spruce Street. Volunteer Cashier, Customer Service, Receiving, or help with special projects. For more details stop by and talk with Burney or Joseph at 2016 Hwy 101 or email volunteer@fl orencehabitat.org Store hours 9am – 5pm Monday- Saturday 541-997-5834 www.facebook.com/restorefl orence Annual Ice Cream Social July 21 at Florence Events Center Get involved Donate Do your part and volunteer today Meet 1st Wednesday of every month Luncheon Meeting ($8.50) Shorewood Senior Living 1451 Spruce St 541-991-3209 or sgelmstedt@gmail.com to help support these local Memory Care Respite of Florence Your Memory Care Respite Center needs you! Seeking volunteers for our Coffee Club: Conversation & companionship in a caring setting while providing respite for caregivers. Contact us at memcarerespite@gmail.com non-proft organizations in our community! Join the Peace Harbor Hospital Volunteers. <RXZLOOÀQGDQDUHDRILQWHUHVW in a caring organization. Peace Harbor Volunteers 400 9th Street, Florence, OR 97439 541-997-8412 ext. 2218 Volunteer Get involved Donate Do your part and volunteer today to help support these local Meals on Wheels are available to people over the age of 60 who cannot get out much due to illness or advanced age and who are not eating properly, regardless of income. Cafe 60 is available for those who prefer to make new friends in a dining room setting. 1570 Kingwood • PO Box 2313, Florence 541-997-5673 laneseniormeals.org Operating Monday, Wednesday and Friday Saving men one PSA test at a time. 541-997-6626 maribob@oregonfast.net Someone to talk to... who understands! non-proft organizations in our community! To include your organization in this directory, please call us @ 541-997-3441