State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Business Oregon Venture Fund Program

The State of Oregon, through the Oregon Business Development Department, is seeking qualified entities to manage the Business Oregon Venture Fund Program. This initiative aims to deploy approximately 10 million dollars in State Small Business Credit Initiative capital to Oregon-based companies via venture capital investments. The program is structured as a partnership where Business Oregon serves as the limited partner and the selected proposer acts as the general partner. The anticipated contract term is 10 years, with proposals reviewed quarterly until funds are fully allocated or the program closes on November 1, 2029. Proposals are evaluated based on a trade-off process focusing on two equally weighted factors: the proposer's experience and their strategy and investment process. Key priorities include a demonstrated history of investing in Oregon startups and a specific target of 45 percent investment in Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual owned businesses and Very Small Businesses. Selected contractors must comply with federal SSBCI guidelines and Oregon state laws, including strict non-discrimination policies, tax compliance, and the Oregon False Claims Act. Required submissions include a detailed investment thesis, a certified disadvantaged business outreach plan, and a responsibility inquiry form to assess financial and legal reliability.