In 2017, I led the first Flywheel Investment Conference as a pilot event to explore the potential of creating Wenatchee’s first angel investor network, aiming to support and attract companies to our region. The long-term vision was ambitious yet straightforward: showcase how Wenatchee and our surrounding region can become thriving hubs for venture-scale companies and tech-based employment by connecting investors with promising startups. Thanks to local leaders’ dedication and collaboration with industry experts from across the Pacific Northwest, that first event led to the establishment of the Flywheel Angel Network and the annual Flywheel Conference.
Heading into our sixth year, we’re proud that the Flywheel Conference has awarded over one million dollars to early-stage companies. We have created a strong foundation for investment and built a reputation for offering a founder-friendly experience. I am very excited to share what’s in store for the upcoming Flywheel Conference from April 19-21 in Wenatchee, which will be our biggest event to date!
This year, we received an unprecedented 82 applications for our competition, a tribute to our growing awareness across Washington State. The Flywheel Angel Network had the challenging job of narrowing the field to just six finalists who will be competing live during the Flywheel Conference for over $300,000. The offerings include $250,000 in investment awards, a $50,000 relocation offer, and a $5,000 fan favorite award. The six finalists selected to compete in Wenatchee are Alphi, Citizen Mint, GemaTEG, Novuson Surgical, Pure Blue Tech Inc., and SheFly Apparel.
The Flywheel Conference will feature three action-packed days:
- April 19: Network with hundreds of attendees from across the Pacific Northwest during a downtown pub-crawl, savoring appetizers and drinks at four unique downtown venues.
- April 20: Meet startups showcasing their innovative ideas and solutions in our exhibitor hall, gain insights from experts during panels, and enjoy a networking lunch. The investment competition is the focal point, with six finalists going head-to-head for investment awards. The day concludes with a premier awards party at Wenatchee’s iconic Pybus Public Market, where attendees will celebrate while indulging in local bites and hosted drinks.
- April 21: Attend a workshop at Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort led by Washington Technology Industry Association, pitch at the summit, and more. You’ll also enjoy free skiing or snowshoeing as the entire mountain has been reserved exclusively for Flywheel attendees!
In conjunction with the Flywheel Conference, we are also running the Latina/o/x Founder Journey Workshop. Featuring six distinguished individuals from Mexico and across the US, attendees will learn from business leaders and experts about building companies, focusing on venture-scale or tech-based enterprises. This free workshop on April 19 will be entirely in Spanish and emphasizes creativity in driving innovation and community-building. We recognize that representation in tech and venture-scale startup spaces has been unbalanced, and we want to offer education, inspiration, and resources to support the growth of more Latina/o/x businesses in these fields. Featured speakers include entrepreneurs: Martha Montoya, CEO of Agtools and Edwin Ortiz, CEO of Rejoicy.
Whether you are living in Seattle, Portland, or Boise – I encourage you to join us at the Flywheel Conference this year. You’ll be amongst over 300 attendees from across the Pacific Northwest who range from angel and institutional investors to startup advisors and ecosystem partners. Let us roll out the red carpet for your visit as you cheer on the top six finalists competing, make great connections, and enjoy the best our region has to offer.
Flywheel Conference tickets are only $299, which includes all three days of activities and free skiing at Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort. Enjoy the magic of skiing wide open slopes, that moment alone will be worth the trip. For the next week only, use this link for an extra 20% off tickets.
The Flywheel Conference is made possible by the hundreds of contributors and volunteers supporting NCW Tech Alliance, the 501(c)(3) organization leading both the Flywheel Angel Network and the Flywheel Conference. A special thank you to Moss Adams, Ogden Murphy Wallace, Confluence Health, the City of Wenatchee and Microsoft who are presenting this year’s event.
Creating opportunities for founders is important to us. If you are an entrepreneur who needs support making the trip or if you have any questions, you can find my contact information on the Flywheel Conference website. We’ll see you in Wenatchee on April 19!
