Case Studies ~ 2023 to 2024

BBAO won a $150k RFP: $120k in funding for Portland business owners; Access to Capital Programs with up to $2k in grants - Inventory, Technology, Emergency grants up to $5k and DTA Grants for $750. 

36 Businesses to be Funded | 100+ Portland Businesses Reached 

The BFM Fund invites you to join us in our mission to close the generational wealth gap by educating Black and diverse families, founders, and business owners on wealth-building strategies.

Portland Metro Innovation Hub 

Consortium of community collaborators  operating together to support local business owners in the Portland ecosystem. 

Resilience and Ecosystem Committees

RFP applied for to provide support for Black Portland business owners; Access to procurement and enterprise level support services with local resources.

Included in the international manual for economic development for the unique focus on Black businesses in Oregon and SW Washington.

 House Bill 4101, which grants the Oregon Secretary of State statutory authority to create a system where business owners that are operating in the state can voluntarily and safely identify their ethnicity, gender and veteran status. 

Attended MJ BizCon’s 10 year celebration and met an engaged audience of black and brown cannabis professionals / entrepreneurs along with networking fun.

At Black CannaCon vending for NuProject while connecting with peers about the work being done for black and brown cannabis professionals / entrepreneurs.

Black CannaCon moderating an insightful discussion for careers in cannabis with an engaged audience of black and brown cannabis professionals / entrepreneurs.

Webinar to help cannabis professionals learn about funding available. Up to $25k in grant funding for cannabis business owners and up to $5k in grants to individuals.

Up to $25k in grant funding for cannabis business owners and up to $5k in grants to individuals who worked for licensed businesses affected by COVID, Robberies and/or Wildfires. 

Partnered with Oregon Interchange x Nimble Distro to provide scholarships to BIPOC vendors for a notable cannabis conference in the PNW.

Watch the replay on YouTube with some notable names in cannabis. This event was followed with virtual booths and career connections with corporate recruiters in cannabis.

Accessible, casual and virtual opportunity for cannabis business owners to connect with peers, mentors and NuProject partners nationwide.

Two days filled with educational conversations, wellness options and cannabis founder connections. The 3rd day included Manufacturing, White Labeling and Cultivation tours.

October 2022 BIPOC Leadership Lunch series hosted by The BFM Fund x Wellington in Portland, Oregon. Facilitating Founders x Funder ecosystem connections as often as possible.

The BFM Fund team and Venture Partners Fellowship cohort attended BVC 2022. VP Fellows supported due diligence on companies and made connections with peers.

Hosted a graduation event for the first cohort of Venture Partner Fellows in Nov 2022. VP Fellows supports underrepresented professionals engage in the venture capital industry.

10 yr anniversary party to celebrate PIE’s Birthday and bring an amazing event for the community to enjoy along with incorporating some amazing small business owners.

Busy year as we rolled out simultaneous accelerator programming and coworking spaces at both Autodesk (makers space teams) & Puppet (SaaS teams).

Providing testimony to the Portland City Council to share the work being done to diverse the tech industry along with the gaps that exist including lack of funding & network access.

During times, when many founders find it difficult to expand their network and cultivate meaningful relationships, relying on startup ecosystems is more important than ever. At an interactive panel, startup leaders from the Pacific Northwest discussed the value of investing in your network.

Participation as a judge for the Emerge Initiative with OEN. Delivering pitch feedback, $5k grants, mentors and resources for emerging founders. 

Over $45k in non dilutive investments made to BIPOC led Portland based companies.

PIE supports growth stage startups and worked virtually to provide mentorship and support, while encouraging founder connections with peers. 

Over 75 teams in technology, Saas, manufacturing in Portland with office space and local resources.

COVID hit and we pivoted to PIE’s first virtual accelerator cohort(s). Ongoing engagement, collaboration and community building to meet founder were they are.

NuProject invested up to $50k in grant funding with wraparound business support for up to 3 Portland based businesses. Funding released in tranche's base on agreed upon milestones reached.

Community & Programs Director. Rebrand of NuLeaf Project into NuProject, overseeing/managing multiple programs (NuNetwork, NuProfessional, NuFuel and NuSchool) and more.