Lora DiCarlo Founder Speaks at Oregon's TechFestNW

Lora DiCarlo Founder Speaks at Oregon's TechFestNW

BEND, Ore. — Lora DiCarlo was featured today by Oregon publication Willamette Weekly, following company founder Lora Haddock’s appearance at the TechFestNW event earlier this week.

Willamette Weekly described Haddock’s Monday-morning conversation with moderator Yesenia Gallardo Avilia, titled “A Sex Tech Founder’s Battle for Equity,” as an explanation of “the uphill battle of trying to pitch a dual-stimulator sex toy to panels of middle-aged male investors who had dismissed Lora DiCarlo’s product as a niche ‘woman’s issue.’”

Lora DiCarlo, the weekly pointed out, “markets its products toward ‘people with vaginas,’ not just women, since some nonbinary people and trans men also have vaginas.”

The article, written by Willamette Weekly’s Shannon Gormley, also revisited the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) controversy that catapulted Lora DiCarlo into mainstream brand consciousness.

After talking about how some CES officials had deemed her pleasure products “obscene, profane and immoral,” Haddock told TechFestNW that her company and work are “not just about sex.”

“It’s all about pursuing your sexuality and your identity, and how that influences how you show up in the world,” Haddock said.

The company founder’s Oregon credentials were emphasized at the event. Haddock attended Portland State University and originally developed her products through an Oregon State University robotics department partnership.

Haddock also spoke about the COVID-19-related boom in pleasure products. “Sales rocketed when people were stuck at home,” she said. “People were like, ‘I’m going to figure out myself.’”

To read the article, visit Willamette Weekly.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Le Wand's 'Petite' Highlighted in NY Magazine Article

Le Wand’s Petite massage wand has been recognized in NY Magazine's The Strategist round-up of top-rated massagers.

Orion Debuts 'Gyro' Stroker From You2Toys Line

Orion Wholesale has introduced the You2Toys Gyro stroker.

Share Satisfaction Debuts 'Evolve Penis Pump' Collection

Wellness brand Share Satisfaction has introduced its new Evolve Penis Pump line.

ULoversDoll Debuts 'Isabella' Love Doll

ULoversDoll has added Isabella to its Top-Cydoll collection.

Motorbunny Launches Direct Wholesale Program

Motorbunny has launched a direct wholesale program for brick-and-mortar retailers and ecommerce sites.

Biird Introduces 'Together' Intimacy Card Game

Biird has debuted its new card game, Together, designed to promote intimacy in couples.

BeYourLover Debuts 'Wavey' Vibrating Wand

Pleasure brand BeYourLover has introduced its new Wavey four-in-one rotation and suction vibrating wand.

Williams Trading, ANME Founders Partner for Livestream Event

Williams Trading has partnered with CalExotics and Doc Johnson to host a virtual trade show July 14-15 during ANME.

Orion Expands 'Bad Kitty' Line

Orion Wholesale has added two new styles to its Bad Kitty collection of fetish apparel.

Nalpac Releases 2025 Summer Catalog

Nalpac has released its 76-page 2025 summer catalog, featuring hundreds of products.

Show More