(Image: TiE winner, Shannon Smith from Yak).
Carl J Cox was invited to be a judge at the 2nd Annual Columbia River Pitch.
TiE Oregon hosted its 2nd annual Columbia River Pitch competition in Vancouver, WA on June 24th, 2025. They not only showcased Clark County (Washington) startups, but also representing those in Multnomah County.
Startups take the stage to compete for equity investments, cash prizes, and in-kind support. They showcase their ventures to investors, business leaders, and the broader community.
A great way to expect to make connections and hear about some ground-breaking companies.
Congratulations to the winner, Shannon Smith from Yak Tech. A modern audit and compliance platform designed to streamline and automate the audit process for firms and organizations. Yak focuses on making compliance for audits smarter, faster, and more efficient by reducing manual tasks and simplifying complex workflows.
First Runner-Up – Mickelberry Gardens
Founder: Madelyn Morris
Mickelberry Gardens crafts a range of herbal honey tonics, raw honey, beeswax-based skincare, oxymels, and bee pollen products, all made with whole food ingredients and a focus on self-care and holistic health.
Cyber Security Package – Skyfarer Academy
Founder: Nick Tsang
Skyfarer Academy is a modern aviation training platform that connects aspiring pilots with certified flight instructors (CFIs) and flight schools for both live online and in-person instruction.
Click here to see all finalists and read more about Columbia River Pitch.
More about TiE Oregon:
Formed in 2007, TiE Oregon grows and educates early-stage entrepreneurs and angel investors across Oregon. As a local chapter of the global TiE network, with over 55 chapters worldwide, TiE Oregon plays a key role in fostering a thriving startup funding ecosystem.
Their signature programs include TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE), TiE U, TiE Women, the TiE XL Entrepreneurs Boot Camp, and TiE Oregon Angels, each designed to promote seed-stage portfolio growth, impact investing, and investor-founder collaboration.
Through their programs and focused efforts, TiE Oregon aims to create a virtuous cycle of wealth creation and community giveback, ensuring that Oregon’s entrepreneurial ecosystem thrives while contributing to TiE Global’s mission of empowering innovators worldwide.
