We'd love to discuss your business idea. The information in this FAQ will help you decide if OVP is the right partner for you.

> What types of companies are OVP most interested in?
> At what stage of development does OVP typically invest?
> How much does OVP typically invest?
> How should I get in touch with OVP and do I need an introduction?
> What should my business plan include?
> How should I submit my business plan to OVP?
> How will OVP handle the information in my business plan?
> How does the decision process work for OVP?
> How long does the decision process take?
> What is OVP's role after the investment is made?
> Who are OVP's investors?

>What types of companies are OVP most interested in?
We make equity investments in early-stage technology companies. Most of the companies we work with are in the Western third of North America and focus on:

• Communications & Network Infrastructure – revolutionary technologies and services that extend the access and reach of the network
• Enterprise Software – software innovations that revolutionize the way businesses work together
• Digital Media – analytics, tools and infrastructure for data delivery, search, analysis as well as advertising.  Select content opportunities
• Semiconductor/Electronic Systems– driving and taking advantage of nanoscale manufacturing and programmable architectures to serve particular market needs
• Security – hardware and software to secure networks and data
• Digital Biology - software tools to store, retrieve, analyze and predict the composition and structure of genes, proteins and other biomolecules.  Platform companies using these tools
• Cleantech – products and services driving the use of alternative energy sources and lower environmental impact
• Nanotechnology - advances in materials science at the nano and near-nano level to dramatically improve product performance and open up new product applications 

>At what stage of development does OVP typically invest?
In almost every deal, we invest at the earlier stages of a company’s development, usually pre-revenue. This typically means first institutional rounds, true seed deals, and series A or B round.
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>How much does OVP typically invest?
We originate and lead most of our deals. Our initial investment is typically about $1-5 million, and we usually partner with other leading venture capital firms.
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>How should I get in touch with OVP and do I need an introduction?
Mail, phone, email, or faxes are just fine with us. See Contact Us for general contact info, or Submit A Business Plan to submit your ideas. It does help us a bit if you have a CEO we've backed, or a knowledgeable lawyer, accountant, banker, or the like to provide an introduction, but we welcome all entrepreneurs.
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>What should my business plan include?
We don't require a business plan—an executive summary or a brief overview is often enough. (We've backed entrepreneurs who came to us with everything from a 100-page business plan to a diagram on the back of a napkin.) But before we would actually invest, a great deal of thinking and understanding needs to take place. A business plan is the most efficient way to get all the issues out on the table, so you should expect to do one prior to the end of our analysis. However, don't spend weeks at the keyboard before you contact us. Often the questions we ask in a first encounter can help focus your business plan effort.
At minimum, please include:
Company Name
Contact Name
E-mail Address
Physical Address of company
Phone Number
Brief description of company
Product category of business plan (Communications & Network Infrastructure, Enterprise Software, Semiconductor/Electronic Systems, Digital Biology or Other)
Referral information (Were you referred by a Limited Partner, Entrepreneur Fund Member, Current Portfolio Company, Other Venture Capital Firm, or Service Provider--Accounting Firm, Attorney, Bank, etc.)
Additional information we’d like to know:
Concise description of your product or service
Backgrounds of key members of your management team
Market need, market size, and competitive landscape
Selling strategy (channels) and market positioning
5 year financial projections summary
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>>How should I submit my business plan to OVP?
You can send your business plan to us via e-mail, mail, or fax.
See How to Submit a Business Plan .
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>How will OVP handle the information in my business plan?
We receive over 2000 business plans a year. Typically, it is not our policy to sign a non-disclosure agreement before a business plan is submitted. OVP has been in business since 1982 and we’ve maintained our high standing within the community through our ethical business standards. We understand how important your idea is to you. Rest assured, we will respect the proprietary and confidential nature of your plan.
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>>How does the decision process work for OVP?
One of the partners will take responsibility for reviewing your company and spearheading our analysis of your business. Once a partner reviews your business plan you will receive a response. If we’re serious about your opportunity, a "point partner" will become your primary contact. All of the partners will then visit and get to know you and your team. We are a consensus-oriented partnership, looking to each other for insight and issues the "point partner" might have missed.
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>How long does the decision process take?
The entire process to reach a decision and invest typically takes a couple of months, although we have been known to react much more quickly than that in specific instances. We view our investments as long-term commitments to a team and an idea. Because of that, we think it’s wise for both parties to get to know each other well, before committing to a partnership.
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>What is OVP’s role after the investment is made?
OVP is a development business, so we do what it takes to build our companies into sustainable technologies and businesses. Our partners sit on every board of every deal we make, and we support our investments by establishing terms and conditions, recruiting management, introducing other VCs and developing strategic alliances that foster the growth of a founder’s business plan. OVP partners help, advise, support, question and guide innovative entrepreneurs. We will usually have two full partners at your disposal, one with the official board seat and one as backup.
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>Who are OVP's investors?
The investors in OVP funds represent a broad range of sophisticated institutions and other prominent corporate, public, private, and strategic business leaders. Examples include: Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund, Washington State Investment Board, Meketa Investment Group, Western Metal Industry Pension Fund, Alfred I. duPont Trust, The College of the Holy Cross, Oregon Growth Account, Kenyon College Endowment, Olin College of Engineering Endowment, Denver Public Schools Retirement, Indiana University Foundation, Oregon Health Sciences University Foundation, Grove Street Advisors (for CalPERS), Oregon Community Foundation, Northwest Health Foundation.
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