Startup Funding and Business Expansion in Oregon

According to the latest MoneyTree report from the National Venture Capital Association and PricewaterhouseCoopers, Oregon's venture capital activity dropped by one-half in the first three quarters of 2012. Although several big deals helped to boost funding in the third quarter, it was not enough to outpace the levels seen in 2011 or 2010. During that three-month period, Oregon netted six deals worth $39.8 million. For a full summary of the latest MoneyTree report, check out this article from The Oregonian. You can also download the third quarter data.

In other investment news, several companies recently announced plans to expand in the Eugene and Portland areas:

Eugene-based Ninkasi Brewing just broke ground on a $16 million project that will result in a new office, warehouse, distribution, and education facility. Ninkasi also plans to expand its production brewing facility, and expects to add 20 new jobs by early 2014. The brewery is currently the fastest-growing craft-brewing company in the country. Read more about Ninkasi's expansion in the Register-Guard.

Another company, Corner Bakery Cafe, plans to bring 11 new restaurants to the Portland area over the next four years. The growth is part of a three-state expansion plan, which outlines the opening of 47 cafes across Oregon, Minnesota, and Florida. You can get more details about Corner Bakery Cafe's expansion from PR Newswire.