At Bplans, we’re proud of our home state of Oregon. We’re known in this part of the country for our casual way of life, great microbrew beers, and endless recreational opportunities. But there’s another way we’re unique, and that’s our abundance of business plan competitions and angel investment groups.

Sabrina Parsons, CEO of Palo Alto Software (Bplans parent company) recently wrote about Oregon’s unique startup culture on her blog MommyCEO at ForbesWoman:

“What is exciting for Oregon companies is that these conferences and angel groups have given Oregon high-growth companies an avenue to get funded, and stay in Oregon. For the first time ever, start-ups in Oregon have many, many places they can go for help, compete for funding, and feel like they get mentoring, advice, and support — without having to relocate to the Silicon Valley or Seattle.”

In the last five years, angel groups in Oregon have funded 35 companies to the tun of $17.5 million. In her blog post, Sabrina poses the question – if it’s being done so well here in Oregon, why aren’t other states doing the same. So what do you think? Are there angel groups, business plan competitions, business incubators and accelerators where you live? Are you making use of them?

-photo by flickr user Smabs Sputzer/Creative Commons

It’s rare that we toot our own horn but …

Palo Alto Software was honored this month as one of Oregon’s 100 Best Companies to work for. Oregon Business Magazine runs the awards and sends out surveys for employees to fill out.

Thank you to both Oregon Business for running this survey, and thank you to all of our employees who diligently filled it out! We are recognized because all of our employees think this is a great place to work!

I am beyond thrilled to have the company recognized in this way.

There is nothing more important to me at Palo Alto Software  than the team of people who make this company what it is. Without them we would be nowhere. Because our people are so critically important to our success  we do our best to make sure that we provide the best working environment,with the best benefits we can possibly afford. Skimping on your people is just not smart. Before you know it you are also skimping on your customers. I truly believe that being a healthy profitable company goes hand in hand with providing a happy, healthy, productive work environment.

Sabrina Parsons
CEO, Palo Alto Software