Venture capital investment in the Portland metro area surged to $172 million across 25 deals in Q1 of 2025—nearly triple the amount from the same period last year—according to PitchBook and the NVCA. But despite the strong start, recent macroeconomic uncertainty has tempered expectations for the rest of the year.
Join us for an insightful conversation with Erika Lucas, founder of StitchCrew and VEST, as she shares her perspective on the evolving investment landscape and what it means for Portland-based founders. Drawing from her extensive experience in private equity, economic development, and startup advocacy, Erika will highlight key trends shaping the entrepreneurial ecosystem—and where she sees the biggest opportunities for growth and funding.
Whether you're actively fundraising or seeking to understand the investor mindset, this session is a must-attend for entrepreneurs looking to navigate the current funding landscape.
This event is part of PDX Startup Week.
Agenda: 12:00pm: General Networking 12:30pm: Presentation and Q&A 1:30pm: Lunch and Networking
About Erika: Erika Lucas is the Founder of StitchCrew, an organization dedicated to building a more equitable economy by supporting, funding, and advocating for small business owners. She is also the Founder of VEST, a peer network of women professionals and investment fund investing in women-led companies.
A recognized thought leader, Erika is a sought-after speaker and a LinkedIn Top Voice in Entrepreneurship. She currently serves on the boards of Arvest Bank, Diversion Hub, and the Oklahoma City-County Health Department, where she holds the position of Board Chair. Erika is also a member of the Latino Corporate Directors Association and a Fellow at the Just Economy Institute.
Before founding StitchCrew and VEST, Erika was a Partner at a private equity firm specializing in Aerospace & Defense investments. Earlier in her career, she served as Global Director at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, where she led international economic development efforts.
Tags: networking, keynote, investor, startups, founders, pdxstartupweek
Imported from: http://calagator.org/events/1250481915
-