Cross-River Collaboration: Highlights from Columbia River Pitch 2025
Columbia River Pitch 2025 united 6 startups and a vibrant community across Clark County, WA and Multnomah County, OR for an event filled with innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurial spirit. Hosted by TiE Oregon, this cross-regional event gave early-stage founders the opportunity to pitch in front of investors, advisors, local leaders, and our local community—competing for funding and recognition.
With $64,500 in prizes awarded, the event showcased the creativity and drive of founders shaping the region’s economic future.
$45,000 to Best Overall – YAK
$2,500 Cash to Audience Choice – YAK
Founder: Shannon Smith
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.
$15,000 to 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.
$2,000 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.
🌟 Other Finalists
Digifab.Ai - Founder: Isil Berkun
Digifab.Ai specializes in empowering manufacturing and industrial businesses to adopt and integrate AI-driven solutions for smarter, more efficient operations.
Ranger EV - Founder: Brian Clark
Ranger EV is a climate-tech startup focused on making electric vehicle (EV) charging accessible, easy, and profitable for hosts of vacation rentals, small businesses, and homeowners.
Toast - Co-Founder: Gerald Recktenwald
Toast is an innovative apparel company that focuses on developing wearable devices designed to dynamically increase comfort in cold weather. Their products leverage engineering expertise to create solutions that help outdoor enthusiasts stay warm, combining advanced heating technology with practical, user-friendly design.
🧠 Meet the Judges
Our panel of judges brought a diverse range of expertise—from finance to product scaling to investment strategy:
Yoanne Clovis, Neuroscientist | Tech & Science Go-to-Market Strategist
Carl J. Cox, Strategic Growth and Turnaround Consultant for Small to Mid-Sized Business Owners and Private Equity Investors
Dahv Kliner, Vice President, Fiber Laser Technology at nLIGHT
🏛️ Distinguished Guests
Columbia River Pitch was honored to welcome local leaders who continue to champion innovation and economic development in the region:
Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle – City of Vancouver
Jennifer Reyes – Prosper Portland
Chris Harder – City of Vancouver Deputy Director, Economic Prosperity and Housing
Victor Saldanha – City of Vancouver Small Business and Entrepreneurship Program Manager
Matt Dittrich – TiE Oregon President
Their presence underscored the strong public-private partnerships that make events like Columbia River Pitch possible—and valuable for entrepreneurs looking to build in in Multnomah County, OR and Clark County, WA.
👏 sponsors
This event was successful in part of our sponsorships:
