We’re actively recruiting aspiring entrepreneurs, partners, and investors. Don't miss out – take our quick survey to get all the updates.
Get in touch: nicolas@bendentrepreneurlab.comFollow us on social:
The Bend Entrepreneur Lab (BEL) is a new initiative focused on providing direct support to early-stage tech entrepreneurs in Central Oregon from inception to the close of a successful seed round.
BEL acts as your co-founder by delivering a wide range of tailored services to each entrepreneur, enabling them to move at startup speed, avoid common pitfalls, and maximize market success. The BEL innovation model combines the best demonstrated practice of proven models with the unique capabilities and culture found in Bend.
Our vision is to put Bend on the map as a place where aspiring tech entrepreneurs, including talent from underrepresented communities, can start & grow their tech company for the benefit of all.
“Bend is a truly special place, with unique lifestyle values and an abundance of creative talent. Bend Entrepreneur Lab creates the collaborative, inspiring, and supportive environment for that innovative energy to thrive and positively impact our whole community.”
Carrie McPherson Douglass
Co-founder
We are passionately committed to our work for the long haul, prioritizing sustainable, conscious, and risk-mitigated growth over endless hustle-culture. We value a balanced and fulfilling life in Bend and avoid burnout. Here, entrepreneurs can thrive without compromising their individual well-being.
Don’t go it alone. We cultivate a supportive and nurturing environment, where we immerse ourselves with like-minded folks on a similar entrepreneurial journey. We are deeply interconnected with the greater Bend, OR community, and accountable to it’s values and people.
We value diverse life experiences, backgrounds, and identities, with special attention to those not fitting traditional tech stereotypes. We’re open to all high-potential individuals, but prioritize recruiting women, people of color, and historically underrepresented groups in tech entrepreneurship.
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We aren’t just your mentors, we join your company and are on your team. We’re deeply invested in your success and in the trenches with you.
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From design experts to legal support, get access to a trusted, vetted network of talented local folks with the skills you need, supplemented by a direct access to the powerful business ecosystem found in both San Francisco and Seattle.
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With the right team, strategy, resources, and a proven framework, you’ll dramatically increase your chance of success without burnout.
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Get access to the resources you need to go-to-market, with support from founders experienced in securing venture capital funding.
“BEL has empowered and supported me to take an idea I have to help the world and make it a reality. I would not have been able to do it without them. Their support, including market expertise, design thinking framework, compassionate hearts, and life wisdom has been fundamental to my journey.”
Liz Spragg
Founder, Golden Thread Mental Health
Nicolas H. Pluche
Nicolas is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader with four technology businesses under his belt, and two executive roles in technology incubators. With a passion for building and scaling digital ventures, Nicolas excels in Design Thinking under the fundamentals of Effectuation for both startups and established organizations.
Bend is centrally located on the West Coast Corridor, between the major entrepreneurial hubs of San Francisco and Seattle. It’s an easy direct flight to either destination, or a few hours of beautiful driving through the Cascade Mountains to get over to Portland. Bend offers the “best of both worlds”– an incredible location known for its outdoor adventure lifestyle, only a quick flight away from major cities.
Bend is ideal for those who wish to build their companies deeply integrated with the local community and economy, leverage the abundance of talent and great people here, while still maintaining close enough ties to the network and opportunities in the big cities.
The Bend Entrepreneur Lab (BEL) is headquartered at The Haven Co-working, a vibrant community of local talent and professionals from a wide range of industries. BEL entrepreneurs in residence have access to an inspiring, beautiful workspace where they can collaborate with others on a similar journey.
The Haven offers a wide variety of resources to support our entrepreneurs, including flexible workspaces, meeting rooms, large conference spaces, sound-proof podcasting room, media equipment, and more. Centrally located on the cliffs above the Deschutes River, we have easy access to take a break for a river stroll or walking meeting.
BEL is also in collaboration with Oregon State University-Cascades, another hub of innovation and talent in the community.
We’re actively recruiting aspiring entrepreneurs, partners, and investors. Don’t miss out – join our newsletter to get all the latest updates.
Get in touch: nicolas@bendentrepreneurlab.comFollow us on social: