page_title: TechfestNW
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: TechfestNW / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Poda Foods PitchfestNW
context_page_description: TechfestNW is an annual technology conference in Portland, Oregon that brings together innovators, startups, entrepreneurs, tech companies and investors from around the globe. The event features main stage speakers, workshops, a startup pitch competition, exhibitor booths, networking opportunities and parties. In 2012, Fortune magazine called it the next South by Southwest.
context_section_description: TechfestNW was founded by Mark Zusman in 2012 and has been held in several different venues, including the Portland Art Museum, OMSI, the Armory, and Left Bank Annex. TFNW is the sister festival to MusicfestNW.
  In 2016, TFNW also introduced PitchfestNW, a competition where startups apply to pitch to a panel of investor judges. The 2016 winner was Poda Foods out of 50 startups, and Madorra won in 2017 out of 70.
caption: Poda Foods win the first inaugural PitchfestNW
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