Organizations Collaborate to Help Grow Oregon Entrepreneurs and Startups

Dec. 8, 2009 - PRLog -- PORTLAND, Ore., -- Three of Oregon’s leading entrepreneur and technology organizations have partnered with NedSpace, a company that provides coworking facilities for startups, to make desk and workspace available to their members. NedSpace, started in the first quarter of 2009, has over 60 companies and 85 members between its two locations and fosters peer support and mentoring to assist growth.

NedSpace now offers Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN), Software Association of Oregon (SAO) and TechAmerica members an ongoing discount off monthly member rental rates. These organizations now have office space for their members to congregate and collaborate with each other, while still being part of the larger community. NedSpace launched its first location in February 2009 and has already graduated two companies..

“In less than a year, NedSpace has done a remarkable job creating a hub where entrepreneurs can start and grow their businesses and ideas,” said Linda Weston, president and executive director of OEN. “OEN is proud to extend its mission by partnering with NedSpace and the other organizations to help startups gain the experience, mentoring and connections to accelerate their growth, especially the peer-to-peer networking help.”

“One of the most critical factors in the success of any startup is surrounding the founders with people to augment their skills,” said Wayne Embree, managing partner of Reference Capital Management. “NedSpace has created this breeding ground for entrepreneurs to support one another. This, combined with the education, networking and other offerings from OEN, SAO and TechAmerica, is a recipe for success for any nascent business.”

With OEN’s focus on entrepreneurial growth, SAO’s leadership in the software industry, and TechAmerica’s general technology community, these organizations are poised more than ever to help grow Oregon’s early-stage and developing companies.

“NedSpace is a great place to start a business, as it’s not just an office, but a community of entrepreneurs helping one another, said Ken Westin, Founder & CEO of GadgetTrak and member of OEN and SAO . “I have learned a great deal from the other NedSpace members, many of whom are seasoned, serial entrepreneurs. A number of the startups here are very successful and generating revenue or close to it, which helps us first timers.”

Desks and office space are now available at both Portland NedSpace locations – Downtown and Old Town. Contact Mark Grimes for more information. To see images of NedSpace, go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/neddotcom/sets/7215761250041...

Press Contact:

NedSpace
Mark Grimes, Cofounder
503.334.1860
mark.grimes@ned.com
www.nedspace.com

About Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
Founded in 1991, the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing opportunities for Oregon entrepreneurs and to improving the business climate for emerging companies statewide. The organization has members throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. For more information about OEN, visit www.oen.org.

About Software Association of Oregon
The Software Association of Oregon is the only Oregon-based trade association dedicated solely to supporting the success of our state's software and technology Industries. Our membership includes, but is not limited to, technology companies of all kinds and sizes, and technology professionals working for companies outside the industry. Over last 20 years, the SAO has helped connect leading industry innovators with the people, ideas and networks of our state, building a foundation that supports innovation, creative thinking, and Oregon’s famous entrepreneurial spirit. For more information about SAO, visit www.sao.org.

About TechAmerica
TechAmerica is the leading voice for the U.S. technology industry, which is the driving force behind productivity growth and jobs creation in the United States and the foundation of the global innovation economy. Representing approximately 1,500 member companies of all sizes from the public and commercial sectors of the economy, it is the industry’s largest advocacy organization and is dedicated to helping members’ top and bottom lines. It is also the technology industry’s only grassroots-to-global advocacy network, with offices in state capitals around the United States, Washington, D.C., Europe (Brussels) and Asia (Beijing). TechAmerica was formed by the merger of AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association), the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA), the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) and the Government Electronics & Information Technology Association (GEIA). Learn more at www.techamerica.org.