Bend Venture Conference

Bend Venture Conference takes place October 15–16, 2026 in downtown Bend, Oregon, as part of High Desert Innovation Week, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists, and business leaders for two high-energy days of innovation, investment facilitation, and regional networking. The conference features structured early-stage and growth-stage startup pitch competitions, investor panels and one-on-one engagement sessions, demo booths, community celebrations, and awards recognizing outstanding founders. Participants representing climate tech, renewable energy, consumer products, outdoor recreation, agriculture technology, and adjacent sectors connect through competitive pitching tracks, expert-led panel discussions on venture funding strategies, and extensive networking designed to accelerate capital deployment and strategic partnerships. The event functions as the primary venture capital connector for the High Desert region, drawing investors and entrepreneurs across the Pacific Northwest looking to identify and fund innovative companies addressing regional and global challenges.