Silicon Florist links arrangement for January 16, 2026

Eight Companies to Watch in 2026 — Oregon Venture Fund

Within the Oregon Venture Fund portfolio, eight stand out as rocket ships with a real chance of reaching escape velocity in 2026. Each is generating at least $10M to $150M in ARR and growing more than 40% year over year. Given their momentum and potential economic impact, they deserve to be household names, at least in the Pacific NW.

UP & RUNNING | Metro Region Innovation Hub

This mini-conference is best suited for early stage startups that involve technology-based innovation. As this is an educational conference, pitching, selling, and solicitations will be prohibited. ​

Trump wants AI companies to pay $15 billion for electricity

The Trump administration and Northeast governors unveil plans for electricity auction to curb surging utility bills as a result of AI data centers

Homelessness in Oregon rises 35% as state releases 2025 data – oregonlive.com

“Aggregating the (point-in-time count) numbers for the state helps policy makers, providers and advocates have a better understanding of what is happening across our Oregon communities,” said Marisa Zapata, director of Portland State University’s Homelessness Research and Action Collaborative. “This year, we are uncertain if HUD will produce that data, making Oregon one of the few states to have this important information.”

Is Oregon turning a population corner? Maybe • Oregon Capital Chronicle

In overview, the statistics site NCH Stats said “As of 2025, Oregon’s population is estimated at 4,227,340, reflecting a steady growth rate of 0.89%, which ranks it as the 22nd fastest-growing state in the country according to the World Population Review. This places Oregon among the states experiencing moderate population increases, aligning with its reputation as an attractive destination for residents.”

Anthropic Economic Index report: Economic primitives \ Anthropic

The results reveal striking geographic variation, real-world estimates of AI task horizons, and a basis for revised assessments of Claude’s macroeconomic impact.

AI is everywhere, but nowhere in recent productivity data • The Register

During our conversation, Gownder cited US Bureau of Labour Statistics that suggest the advent of the personal computer also did not improve productivity, which improved by 2.7 per cent annually from 1947 to 1973, but just 2.1 percent between 1990 and 2001.

The YouTube Moment for Software is happening – by Anish A

YouTube launching in 2005 didn’t seem to fill an obvious content gap, and yet two decades later it’s a $550bn business that’s more culturally relevant than traditional TV.

How to show up in any room with a low heart rate: Silicon Valley’s missing etiquette playbook | Sam Lessin

Sam explains why proper etiquette has become a vital skill for founders in 2026—especially as technology becomes more central to society and trust becomes harder to build. His etiquette book and courses have become surprisingly popular, teaching founders how to “show up in a room with a low heart rate” and quickly build trust.

10 Red Flags in Early-Stage Investing: When to Walk Away

You can’t measure any single variable with absolute certainty, so the question becomes: what variables should you care about, and what should make you pause?

How To Lower Your Anxiety To Speaking Up And Sharing Ideas

This is ego and fear of judgment holding us back. New ideas are, well, new and different. Fear keeps us in the realm of certainty, where we are comfortable.