By
Digital Managing Editor, Portland Business Journal
Say, Portland, have you been working out? You’re looking active, refreshed, ready to roll.
Yup, it’s a jump-as-high-as-you-can Wednesday in the Rose City. Let’s roll right into Five Things.
Crank up the Jama
The PBJ’s Malia Spencer followed yesterday’s news that Jama bought Notion with a keen analysis as to … why.
The move was a nice surprise for the Oregon Angel Fund, which has backed both companies.
“It’s exciting we have companies to the stage they are making acquisitions and we have companies that are acquirable,” said Julianne Brands, who handles research and analysis for OAF. “It’s good for the Portland ecosystem and the companies.”
Lacking
Our Business Journals national team yesterday gave us a look at how well Oregon’s public companies fare in terms of board diversity.
That is, the researchers found that most area companies have relatively fewer female board members. The full report is here.
Nike and Umpqua came out the best in the survey while Columbia Sportswear and Northwest Natural also made good showings.
Three companies, though, have no female board members.
Jumpin’ jive
A Portland private equity group is about to experience some literal ups-and-downs.
Envista Group said yesterday it has purchased the Sky High Sports Network, which, yes, consists of 14 trampoline parks nationwide. Those spots host more than 1 million jumpers/leapers/bouncers/boingers each year.
Terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed. But Envista sounds interesting: Its portfolio companies include Portland-based Northwest Women’s Fitness.
Sky High employs 120-plus workers at its Portland locale. The company was founded in 2006 in Santa Clara, Calif.
Here comes Dame
Damian Lillard, who’s playing as well as any guard in the NBA’s Western Conference, won’t make the All-Star team’s starting lineup this year. Stephen Curry will, as will James Harden or Russell Westbrook. Fair enough.
We’re still hoping Lillard makes his second All-Star team (should be his third), though. In the meantime, check this out: Lillard’s jersey sales have made NBAStore.Com’s top sellers list.
Lillard ranks 14th, which may not sound that high but, for a Blazer (small market in the Pacific time zone), is very lofty indeed.
Curry ranks first, no surprise if you’ve been around an NBA arena (or a Buffalo Wild Wings) over the last six months.
Creative class
Congrats go out to Subashini “Suba” Ganesan, the city’s new Creative Laureate.
Commissioner Nick Fish, the city’s arts commissioner, will formally introduce her at this morning’s City Council meeting. Ganesan is an educator, performer and the founder of the nonprofit New Expressive Works, a Southeast Portland performing arts venue that showcases multi-cultural programs.
