Michael Taus

VentureBox is a business accelerator focused on supporting concept stage startups. We’re committed to Central Oregon’s entrepreneurial community and helping turn innovative product and service ideas into great companies. We offer mentorships, infrastructure and a milestone-based program to develop startups into investment-ready enterprises.

Code Benders (www.CodeBenders.com) is an agile software development and product incubation company with expertise in Ruby on Rails and JavaScript. We love building excellent web applications, especially when we are working with passionate entrepreneurs or for a good cause. Our skills cross a range of disciplines including mobile apps, cloud-based apps, startup consulting and social marketing. We build an array of products that range from embedded software on tiny devices to massive global data systems.

UniteNow (www.UniteNow.org) is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to develop and empower a social network of activists on the web.

Drawing upon the experience and expertise of leaders in activism, advocacy, philanthropy and art, traditional and digital media, experiential education and marketing, Unite Now provides vital resources and media exposure to non-profit organizations, socially-conscious businesses, individuals and groups of all sizes that choose to show their support for a cause or issue through artistic forms of advocacy.

Serving a global community of individuals and organizations who desire to make a more positive impact on the world around them, Unite Now provides an innovative approach to advocacy and activism by providing an online gallery, content distribution network and a set of collaboration tools to help groups mobilize and coordinate events that support constructive dialogue in the areas of human rights, ecological balance, animal rights, finding cures to diseases and solutions to global issues.

Aquo is a venture consulting firm that catalyzes business growth using a combination of technology and strategic development. This combination of skill sets allows growing businesses to find, acquire and manage new business opportunities. Aquo's client list includes notable film and TV production companies, national consulting firms and other professional institutions.

Magnolia Ventures (www.magven.com) is seed investor and venture consultancy that works closely with entrepreneurs and senior technology executives to define their business objectives, acquire needed resources and leverage their marketing potential. Services include venture finance, mergers and acquisitions, strategic relationships and marketing/communications initiatives.

Clients and portfolio companies include: Biglinx, Genutec, Electron Networks, Pacific Media Ventures, GreenlightJobs.com, JIST and In-Sync Interactive.

Early stage investments include HiMax, GoMed, Internet Brands (fka CarsDirect), Electron Networks, FlyFone and BigLinx.

Founder of this Managed VOIP Services Provider, delivering services to customers in 60+ countries. Distribution model includes partnering with leading non-telcos international and through vertical associations.

FCC licensee of the 218-219 MHz band developing proprietary wide-area mobile data network for industrial and government applications. Consulting covered several operational matters, including finance, business development, marketing and regulatory compliance.

Developed business model and execution strategy for the first and only e-marketplace for the rental housing industry.

Negotiated and secured $30 million in equity financings and strategic investments from Bank of America and seven of the country’s largest public apartment companies.

Negotiated key marketing and distribution alliances in both online and traditional media.

Lead counsel managing all internal and external legal activities, including transactional matters, securities, intellectual property (patent, trademark, licensing in and out), Internet and privacy, human resources, state brokerage regulatory and sweepstakes compliance.

JD in Law