Navigating the startup ecosystem is tough, but entrepreneurs in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) finally have a major victory to celebrate. A new Portland-based Founder First Fund has emerged in 2025, giving early-stage startups the shot they need to thrive. By focusing on underrepresented founders and industries like software, clean tech, deep tech, and AI/ML, this fund aims to revolutionize the region’s startup scene.
But that’s not all: this article explores the key aspects of the fund, introduces PlayPal, the AI co-founder for startups, and shares tips, benefits, mistakes, examples, and resources for startup founders who want to succeed in the emerging PNW ecosystem. Whether you're looking for funding, mentorship, or platforms like F/MS AI Grant Finder, this guide has you covered.
What Founder First Fund Brings to PNW Entrepreneurs
The newly launched Founder First Fund targets pre-seed and seed-stage startups across the PNW. Backed by influential investors like Saeed Amidi, CEO of Silicon Valley’s Plug and Play, the fund seeks to address challenges faced by founders beyond the major investor hubs of Seattle and Portland.
Key Details
- Focus Areas: Software, clean tech, deep tech, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML).
- Check Size: $100,000–$500,000 for qualifying startups.
- Inclusivity: Special focus on “ignored founders,” such as women, minorities, and startups from underserved communities.
The fund is led by experienced PNW entrepreneurs, including Josh Carter, Justin Vandehey, and Bobby Napiltonia. Their combined expertise promises not just funding but mentorship for startups prepared to innovate beyond traditional approaches.
PlayPal: Your AI Co-Founder
Startups in the PNW can take advantage of PlayPal, a next-gen AI companion and co-founder. Learn more about PlayPal, an innovative solution developed to offer mentorship, brainstorming support, and even tailored suggestions for tackling key startup challenges.
What PlayPal Can Do:
- Assist you in validating startup ideas in the F/MS Sandbox, providing constructive challenges and feedback for refinement.
- Help generate personalized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to streamline tasks.
- Deliver suggestions on negotiation tactics, grants, and responding to difficult legal agreements through integration with startup tools like AI Startup Lawyer.
Whether you're building your first prototype or pitching to investors, PlayPal is an essential ally in navigating the intricate startup environment.
F/MS AI Grant Finder: Give Your Startup a Funding Boost
A major hurdle for startups is securing funding. Thanks to the F/MS AI Grant Finder and Application Writer, entrepreneurs can quickly locate relevant EU grants tailored to their needs. Here's why this tool matters:
Key Benefits:
- Matchmaking: The AI seamlessly identifies funding opportunities based on the startup type and needs.
- Grant Application Writing: In seconds, it drafts persuasive applications, saving founders weeks of work.
- Expert Validation: It integrates insights from seasoned professionals, ensuring your submission stands out.
With over 25% of startups successfully securing grants when guided by AI tools, F/MS AI Grant Finder should be on every founder’s radar.
How to Nail PNW Startup Opportunities in 2025
Step-by-Step Guide to Success:
- Start With Idea Validation: Use the F/MS Sandbox to vet your startup idea before committing resources.
- Leverage Communities: Tap into accelerators like Portland Seed Fund and events like JAYE Malta for exposure.
- Secure Funding Smartly: Apply for founder-friendly options like grants via the F/MS Grant Finder or seed investment from the Founder First Fund.
- Build With Feedback: Use PlayPal and mentors to refine pitch decks, product designs, or marketing strategies.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Startup founders often stumble, here’s how to bypass these pitfalls:
- Ignoring Feedback: Founder First Fund’s unique feedback approach is a goldmine. Don’t rush decisions; build thoughtfully with feedback loops from mentors and AI tools.
- Overlooking Grants: Many startups miss non-dilutive funding opportunities. Use tools like AI Grant Finder to keep your financial runway intact.
- Skipping Legal Clarity: Don’t blindly sign agreements. Use platforms like AI Startup Lawyer to decode complex legal bindings with ease.
Case Studies: Early Wins in 2025
1. PlayPal and Violetta Bonenkamp’s Startup Success
Take inspiration from PlayPal’s creator, Violetta Bonenkamp, who built the AI co-founder while juggling multiple startups and winning EU grants. Bonenkamp’s expertise in gamepreneurship and deep tech exemplifies how combining innovation with technical precision leads to success across industries.
Bonus Addition: Videos for Startup Tips
Looking for more startups-related insights? Don’t miss these expert video guides from Fe/male Switch on topics like starting up in Malta and navigating European residency programs designed for entrepreneurs.
Final Thoughts
PNW’s startup ecosystem is finally stepping into the spotlight, thanks to Portland’s Founder First Fund and complementary tools like PlayPal and the F/MS AI Grant Finder. By validating ideas and leveraging funding wisely, entrepreneurs can position themselves for greater success in 2025.
Start your journey by combining actionable insights, advanced tools, and crucial funding strategies. Best of all, don’t forget to connect with platforms like AI Startup Lawyer, a lifesaver for deciphering legal jargon!
The PNW is poised for a startup revolution. Will you be part of it? Let PlayPal help you navigate the way!
FAQ
1. What is the Founder First Fund and what does it aim to do?
The Portland-based Founder First Fund is a new venture capital firm focused on providing pre-seed and seed-stage investments to startups in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). It aims to support underrepresented founders and industries such as software, clean tech, deep tech, and AI/ML. Learn more about Founder First Fund
2. Who is leading the Founder First Fund initiative?
The fund is led by seasoned entrepreneurs, including Josh Carter, Justin Vandehey, and Bobby Napiltonia, who bring vast experience and industry connections to support startups. Meet the Founder First Team
3. What are the funding focus areas of the Founder First Fund?
The fund focuses on industries like software, clean tech, deep tech, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML). It particularly targets underrepresented founders.
4. What is PlayPal, and how can it help PNW startup founders?
PlayPal is an AI-powered co-founder tool designed to provide startup mentorship, idea validation, and tailored suggestions. It assists in refining Standard Operating Procedures, negotiation tactics, and legal agreements. Learn more about PlayPal
5. What is the F/MS AI Grant Finder, and why is it important for startups?
F/MS AI Grant Finder is a tool that helps startups identify and apply for grant funding efficiently. It also offers automated grant-writing features to save entrepreneurs valuable time. Check out F/MS AI Grant Finder
6. How much funding does the Founder First Fund provide to startups?
The Founder First Fund offers check sizes ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 for qualifying early-stage companies.
7. Who are the notable backers of the Founder First Fund?
The fund is supported by influential investors such as Saeed Amidi, CEO of Silicon Valley’s Plug and Play. See Saeed Amidi’s involvement
8. What tools or platforms are available for funding success in PNW startups?
Apart from funding through the Founder First Fund, tools like F/MS AI Grant Finder and events by Portland Seed Fund are valuable resources for achieving financial success. Explore Portland Seed Fund
9. What are some common mistakes PNW startup founders should avoid?
Founders should avoid neglecting mentor feedback, overlooking grant opportunities, and signing legal agreements without proper review. Using tools like AI Startup Lawyer can help mitigate risks.
10. Are there successful examples of startups in the PNW ecosystem using these resources?
Violetta Bonenkamp, creator of PlayPal, is an inspiring example. She leveraged gamepreneurship expertise and secured EU grants to scale her tech ventures. Learn about Violetta’s success
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
