The bad economy boosts the number of startups.
The number of business licenses are up in Portland, and investors say a down market is a great time to start a company.
The number of people attending OEN Pub Talks, monthly events in which entrepreneurs network and practice their business pitches, is up from an average of 69 in 2007 to about 120 so far this year. The Small Business Development Center at Portland Community College, which offers business and mentoring courses, had 667 clients as of mid-May, compared with 900 clients in all of 2008.
“Anytime there is an economic downturn we tend to get busier,” said Tom Lowles, the center’s director. “In this downturn, we’re busier than in any time in my experience.”
Read the full story in The Oregonian.
