Oregon Small Businesses Thrive: Manny’s Choice Flour Wins $150,000 Angel Investment

The energy inside Portland’s Mission Theater was electric on June 1st for the 2026 Angel Oregon Consumer Packaged Goods (AOCPG) Investment Announcement Mixer, hosted by the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN). The room was packed with founders, angel investors, and ecosystem partners celebrating local innovation—and one standout Oregon City company took home a game-changing $150,000 investment.

Oregon’s CPG Sector: A Vital Economic Engine Adapting to Real Momentum

Oregon’s small business climate remains dynamic and full of opportunity, even amid national headwinds. The consumer packaged goods industry—spanning food and beverage, health and wellness, pet care, and more—is a quiet powerhouse in our region.

The Power of Pacific Northwest CPG

• $25 Billion: The amount the CPG sector contributes to our state’s gross state product.

• 10%: The portion of Oregon’s entire economy driven by CPG innovation—a staggering statistic given our population size compared to other manufacturing hubs.

• National Picture: Nationally, CPG stands as the largest manufacturing employer and accounts for roughly 10% of U.S. GDP.

The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network has evolved its flagship Angel Oregon program to meet today’s realities. After years of focusing primarily on food and beverage (formerly “Angel Food”), OEN expanded in 2026 to a broader CPG category. The result is a stronger pipeline of scalable Oregon companies ready to grow regionally and nationally.

The 2026 cohort was impressive: 37 companies participated across fall and spring sessions, 19 applied for investment, and a rigorous diligence process narrowed the field to five finalists. With strong support from angel investors, institutional partners, and dedicated sponsors, the program delivered its largest investment pool in four years—$150,000 to the winning company. This community-driven approach is exactly what makes Oregon special: grit, collaboration, and a genuine commitment to job creation and long-term economic vitality.

Spotlight: Manny’s Choice Flour Wins Big

The 2026 Angel Oregon CPG investment was awarded to Manny’s Choice Flour, an Oregon City-based importer and producer of premium 100% European (primarily Italian) flours, baking mixes, sourdough starters, pasta, and related products. Founder Cindy Anderson accepted the award with genuine gratitude, calling this her third venture—but by far the most meaningful.

Cindy Anderson accepts a $150,000 investment from Angel Oregon Consumer Packaged Goods (AOCPG).

What truly sets Manny’s Choice apart is its unwavering focus on clean, non-GMO, pesticide-free ingredients that deliver authentic European flavor while supporting health-conscious consumers. Their flours are imported directly from Europe, where stricter agricultural regulations—including a ban on glyphosate use as a pre-harvest desiccant on wheat—result in products that are lab-tested to be free of glyphosate residues.

This commitment allows people with gluten sensitivities or specific dietary preferences to once again enjoy high-quality baked goods, combining exceptional taste with better nutrition. Cindy spoke movingly about building her team, navigating manufacturing and distribution challenges, and staying true to a mission that “touches so many people’s lives.”

The $150,000 investment will accelerate Manny’s Choice’s growth—expanding distribution, strengthening operations, and scaling production while preserving the brand’s core values of quality and authenticity. As Cindy noted, this funding validates years of hard work and positions the company for the next stage of sustainable expansion. It is precisely the kind of success story that fuels Oregon’s small business ecosystem and creates local jobs.

The evening also included a surprise $30,000 sidecar investment for another finalist, Luxefly Basecamp—yet another sign of the collaborative, on-the-fly support spirit that defines Oregon’s CPG community.

Why This Matters for Oregon Entrepreneurs

Events like the AOCPG mixer highlight both the real challenges and the tremendous potential facing Oregon small businesses today. Founders continue to wrestle with cash-flow visibility, regulatory complexity, operational inefficiencies, and the demands of scaling in a crowded marketplace. In fact, managing this kind of rapid growth requires a maniacal focus on distribution and margins—a reality addressed by keynote speaker Darren Marshall, CEO of Steven Smith Teamaker, who broke down the exact framework small businesses need to survive today (stay tuned for our deep dive into his “Three Ps” in my next article!).

Fortunately, the local support system—angel investors, educational programs, retail literacy workshops, and community partners—has never been stronger.

In my work at Willamette Way Bookkeeping & Consulting, I see these exact pain points every day among the Food & Beverage and service-sector clients I serve. Clean, accurate books provide the foundation for confident decision-making. Real-time cash-flow insights uncover hidden opportunities (and risks). And streamlined processes—drawn from my 32 years of corporate experience and Lean Six Sigma expertise—reduce waste and free owners to focus on what they love most: growing the business they are passionate about.

Manny’s Choice Flour’s success is a powerful reminder that, with the right financial clarity, scalable systems, and strategic guidance, Oregon entrepreneurs can secure the capital they need and build lasting enterprises.

Ready to Find a Better Way?

Whether you are preparing for investment, managing rapid growth, or simply want rock-solid books and actionable insights, I’m here to partner with you. My tiered bookkeeping plans, catch-up services, and process-improvement consulting are designed specifically for Oregon small businesses like yours.

Schedule a free consultation today at www.willametteway.com or reach out directly. Let’s turn your numbers into a clear path for confident, sustainable growth.

Congratulations again to Cindy Anderson and the entire Manny’s Choice Flour team! Oregon small business is thriving, and I am honored to help more entrepreneurs like you write your own success stories.

Willamette Way Bookkeeping & Consulting™ – Clean books. Clear insights. Confident growth.