jbills

Word is getting around that Portland, home of PIE and a constant frenzy of startup activity, has an accelerator program focused solely on the digital media industry (including VFX).  For those prospective entrepreneurs grounded in storytelling but aiming for the clouds, the Oregon Story Board attempts to harness our collective energy and exponentially multiply it by getting like-minded startups in the same room and watching the sparks fly.  OSB exists to help young media industry hatchlings grow by building the networks, relationships, and infrastructure they need to thrive and reach sustainability (one of my favorite words).

This just in from Rick Turoczy over at the Silicon Florist:

Well, would you look at that. You waited. And you waited. And you waited. You thought about it. You almost started it. And then you got sidetracked. Or you got timid. Why should I apply? Is my idea good enough? What if I’m not what they’re looking for? So you put it off. With the hopes that you would—oopie—miss the application period all together. Nice try. Oregon Story Board applications have been extended until May 17, 2015.

We’ve received requests for more time with the accelerator application from potential applicants, and we want to make sure we find the best and brightest businesses across the state. So, we’re extending the application deadline until 11:59pm on Sunday, May 17th, 2015. Tell your friends!

We’re looking for companies involved in digital storytelling – film, video, animation, VFX, digital media, and gaming, or companies that create tools for these industries. Are you blurring the lines between these industries? We want to learn about you! Have you established a business and want to take it to the next level? We can help, but not until we hear from you. We offer free office space, seed capital, an amazing mentor network, and a challenging (but fun!) four months to accepted companies.

You’ve wallowed long enough in your shallow ball pit of Portland procrastination. It’s time to buck up and share what you’re building. I mean, you could be the next Mountain Machine or CHROMA.fund or Change Wizard. Well you can be a Change Wizard whether you apply or not. But you can only get mentorship from the folks who created Change Wizard if you apply.

For more information, visit Oregon Story Board. To quell your fears, read the Oregon Story Board FAQ. And finally, to do what you know you should do, complete your Oregon Story Board accelerator application before the stroke of midnight on May 17th.