Metro Region Innovation Hub

Startup Cafe... is a space for workshops, networking, and conversation! This is the great opportunity for founders and startup partners to connect, learn, and level up. Free coffee and donuts throughout the event!

Feel free to drop by for 10 minutes or stay the entire time...all are welcome! The breakout workshops are optional, and we have a large main space for open conversations.

Agenda

9:00a - 12:00p - Main Event Space
General networking, coffee, and donuts.

9:30a - 10:30a - Workshop 1
"Fundraising 101: Building Your 6-Month Investor Pipeline"
Led by Yalda Moshiri, Angel Oregon Program Director at OEN

11:00a - 12:00p - Workshop 2
"Translate Complex Ideas Into an Impactful Marketing Message"
Led by Yoanne Clovis

UpStart Collective is opening its westside space to founders of the Portland metro community. Are you working on product-led company? Are you struggling to find your community?

Come spend the day with us!

RSVP req'd: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwUwicf9qQr4LyT9uPkhivlypxe3DgUh_vhqa97Pu1Ni50FA/viewform?usp=sharing

Venture capital investment in the Portland metro area surged to $172 million across 25 deals in Q1 of 2025—nearly triple the amount from the same period last year—according to PitchBook and the NVCA. But despite the strong start, recent macroeconomic uncertainty has tempered expectations for the rest of the year.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Erika Lucas, founder of StitchCrew and VEST, as she shares her perspective on the evolving investment landscape and what it means for Portland-based founders. Drawing from her extensive experience in private equity, economic development, and startup advocacy, Erika will highlight key trends shaping the entrepreneurial ecosystem—and where she sees the biggest opportunities for growth and funding.

Whether you're actively fundraising or seeking to understand the investor mindset, this session is a must-attend for entrepreneurs looking to navigate the current funding landscape.

This event is part of PDX Startup Week.

Agenda: 12:00pm: General Networking 12:30pm: Presentation and Q&A 1:30pm: Lunch and Networking

About Erika: Erika Lucas is the Founder of StitchCrew, an organization dedicated to building a more equitable economy by supporting, funding, and advocating for small business owners. She is also the Founder of VEST, a peer network of women professionals and investment fund investing in women-led companies.

A recognized thought leader, Erika is a sought-after speaker and a LinkedIn Top Voice in Entrepreneurship. She currently serves on the boards of Arvest Bank, Diversion Hub, and the Oklahoma City-County Health Department, where she holds the position of Board Chair. Erika is also a member of the Latino Corporate Directors Association and a Fellow at the Just Economy Institute.

Before founding StitchCrew and VEST, Erika was a Partner at a private equity firm specializing in Aerospace & Defense investments. Earlier in her career, she served as Global Director at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, where she led international economic development efforts.

Startup Cafe... is a space for workshops, networking, and conversation! This is the great opportunity for founders and startup partners to connect, learn, and level up. Free coffee and donuts throughout the event!

Feel free to drop by for 10 minutes or stay the entire time...all are welcome! The breakout workshops are optional, and we have a large main space for open conversations.

Agenda

9:00a - 12:00p - Main Event Space
General networking, coffee, and donuts.

9:30a - 10:30a - Workshop 1
TBD

11:00a - 12:00p - Workshop 2
TBD

Startup Cafe... is a space for workshops, networking, and conversation! This is the great opportunity for founders and startup partners to connect, learn, and level up. Free coffee and donuts throughout the event!

Feel free to drop by for 10 minutes or stay the entire time...all are welcome! The breakout workshops are optional, and we have a large main space for open conversations.

Agenda

9:00a - 12:00p - Main Event Space
General networking, coffee, and donuts.

9:30a - 10:30a - Workshop 1
TBD

11:00a - 12:00p - Workshop 2
TBD

Startup Cafe... is a space for workshops, networking, and conversation! This is the great opportunity for founders and startup partners to connect, learn, and level up. Free coffee and donuts throughout the event!

Feel free to drop by for 10 minutes or stay the entire time...all are welcome! The breakout workshops are optional, and we have a large main space for open conversations.

Agenda

9:00a - 12:00p - Main Event Space
General networking, coffee, and donuts.

9:30a - 10:30a - Workshop 1
TBD

11:00a - 12:00p - Workshop 2
TBD

Startup Cafe... is a space for workshops, networking, and conversation! This is the great opportunity for founders and startup partners to connect, learn, and level up. Free coffee and donuts throughout the event!

Feel free to drop by for 10 minutes or stay the entire time...all are welcome! The breakout workshops are optional, and we have a large main space for open conversations.

Agenda

9:00a - 12:00p - Main Event Space
General networking, coffee, and donuts.

9:30a - 10:30a - Workshop 1
TBD

11:00a - 12:00p - Workshop 2
TBD

Join us at the Metro Region Innovation Hub for a time of workshops, networking, mentorship, and coffee! This event is the perfect opportunity for founders and startup partners to connect, learn, and share ideas.

Whether you're just starting out, or a seasoned founder, you'll walk away with some fresh ideas and valuable connections.

Agenda 9:00a - 12:00p - Main Event Space

General networking, coffee, and donuts.

9:30a - 10:30a - Workshop 1 Why Founder-Led Sales is Critical...and How to Do It

Led by Alex Boyd - Founder of Aware

11:00a - 12:00p - Workshop 2 Leading from the Front: How to Evolve from Engineer to the Leader Your Team Needs

Led by Keizan Shaffer - Engineering Leader, Advisor, Coach; Founder of Bright Mountain Integrated Leadership

More information and to register click here.

The Metro Region Innovation Hub, JPMorgan, Portland State University, and the UpStart Collective invite you for an open day of co-working at their new collaborative location at 2130 SW 5th Ave in downtown Portland.

Beginning at 9am you will be able to spend the day working closely with your peers, hearing more about the mission of the Metro Region Innovation Hub, and learn more about the UpStart Collective and its new location in the building.

::::::No Client Based Service Providers, PLEASE!::::::::

Registration is required and space is limited.

Please take a moment to RSVP here.

If you have any questions, please email Josh Carter at josh@upstartcollective.org

Event Details: ​What is the PNW Battery Collaborative?: A community of battery entrepreneurs, scientists, and enthusiasts united to make the PNW the nation's leading hub of battery innovation.

​​What is this event?: Join us for an evening mixer with fellow battery innovators to exchange ideas, spark new partnerships, and explore opportunities to launch the next big breakthrough in battery technology. The main focus of the event will be a round of lightning talks by local battery innovators (~5 mins each), audience Q&A, and an opportunity for attendees to share announcements and learn about battery jobs/resource opportunities. This event is preceded by multiple meetups and site visits organized by the PNW Battery Collaborative in Seattle and attended by an aggregated total of nearly 200 participants.

​Why now?: The PNW is quickly becoming a key hub for battery innovation in the US. To maintain our region's competitive advantage and effectively support other regions in deploying batteries it is crucial that our local battery community be cohesive and inclusive.

​Who can join?: Any PNW locals working in or interested in supporting the region's battery industry.

​​Run of Show: - 5:30pm-6:00: check-in - ​6:00-6:15: introductions, agenda overview, & battery comms exercise - 6:15-6:35: lightening talks by speakers (listed below) - 6:35-6:50: speaker panel & audience Q&A - 6:50-7:00: audience announcements, resources, & job opportunities - 7:00-7:30: informal networking

​Lightening Talk Speakers:

• Grayson Shor, Founder (PNW Battery Collaborative)

• Duncan Miller, CEO (Rose City Robotics)

• Drew Lebowitz, Principal and Managing Director (PowerSwitch)

• Danny Lu, Senior Vice President (Powin Energy)

• Tyson Bittrich, Market Research Analyst (Mayfield Renewables)

• Shelly Whitlock, Executive Director of Development (Polaris Battery Labs)

​If you would like to speak at this event please reach out to event co-hosts Grayson Shor and Duncan Miller

​​Logistics: ​This event is hosted at the Metro Region Innovation Hub (google link)

​Please arrive between 5:30pm-6:00pm to sign-in. Programming will begin promptly at 6:00pm

​This event is free, please RSVP in advance

​This is an in-person only event

​​Have questions?: Reach out to event co-hosts Grayson Shor & Duncan Miller

​How to stay up to date on Collaborative activities?: Join our events calendar and our LinkedIn page

​========================================

​​Thank you to our generous sponsors: ​Metro Region Innovation Hub: is the hub for business innovation in the Portland metro region.

​Prosper Portland Green Cities: supporting companies producing innovative products, services, and technologies that address the climate crisis and solve environmental challenges.

UpStart Collective: a community-driven collaboration space for founders.

​Portland State University Business Accelerator: supports and serves the entrepreneur ecosystem and local startups from their early stage through growth.

​========================================

​​The views and opinions expressed by speakers during this event are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or perspectives of the organizers, sponsors, or affiliated organizations. The event is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Attendees are encouraged to independently evaluate the information shared and seek additional professional advice where applicable.

Location Metro Region Innovation Hub 2130 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97201, USA

The UpStart Collective is hosting its first First Friday at the new westside location within the Metro Region Innovation Hub. Come hang out, talk to local founders, and raise a glass to making it through another month.

These events are open to all founders, but please, NO SELLING!!

Drinks and small snacks will be provided.

Join us at the Metro Region Innovation Hub for a time of workshops, networking, mentorship, and coffee! This event is the perfect opportunity for founders and startup partners to connect, learn, and level up.

Whether you're just starting out, or a seasoned founder, you'll walk away with some fresh ideas and valuable connections.

Agenda

9:00a - 12:00p - Main Event Space General networking, coffee, and donuts.

9:30a - 10:30a - Workshop 1 Crafting the Ideal Email Marketing Onboarding Sequence - Led by Megan Eckman - Creative Consultant @ Fat Cap Design

11:00a - 12:00p - Workshop 2 Brag Better! An Interactive Workshop to Help You Tell Your Story - Led by Nadya Duke Boone - Executive Coach, Writer, Former Chief Product Officer and Founder @ BragLunch.com

Event Details: ​​​Lightning Talk Speakers:

• ​​Rober Topple, Founder & CEO Electron Robotics
• Joseph Cole, Founder & CTO Rose City Robotics
• Spencer Lindsay, Founder E-tribe
• Erin Galiger, Director North American Markets at ROCSYS

​​What is the Rose City Robotics Collaborative?: A collaborative community of robotics entrepreneurs, scientists, machine learning experts, tinkerers, and fellow enthusiasts united to establish the PNW as the premier U.S. hub for robotics innovation.

​​Why join Collaborative meetings?: To meet with fellow robotics innovators to exchange ideas, spark new partnerships, and explore opportunities to launch the next big breakthroughs in robotics technology.

​​Who can join?: Any PNW locals actively involved in developing, deploying, or advancing robotics technology across various sectors.

​​How to stay up to date on Collaborative activities?: Join our newsletter and our LinkedIn page.

​​Thank you to our generous sponsors: ​Metro Region Innovation Hub: The hub for business innovation in the Portland metro region.

UpStart Collective: a community-driven collaboration space for founders.

​Portland State University Business Accelerator: supports and serves the entrepreneur ecosystem and local startups from their early stage through growth.

Location Metro Region Innovation Hub 2130 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97201, USA

Join us at the Metro Region Innovation Hub for a time of workshops, networking, mentorship, and coffee! This event is the perfect opportunity for founders and startup partners to connect, learn, and level up.

Whether you're just starting out, or a seasoned founder, you'll walk away with some fresh ideas and valuable connections.

Agenda

• 9a - 12p - Main Event Space / General networking, coworking, mentor office hours
• 9:30a - 10:30a - Workshop 1 / TBD
• 11a - 12p - Workshop 2 / TBD

Join us at the Metro Region Innovation Hub for a time of workshops, networking, mentorship, and coffee! This event is the perfect opportunity for founders and startup partners to connect, learn, and level up.

Whether you're just starting out, or a seasoned founder, you'll walk away with some fresh ideas and valuable connections.

Agenda

• 9a - 12p - Main Event Space / General networking, coworking, mentor office hours
• 9:30a - 10:30a - Workshop 1 / Supercharge your Business Plan with AI
• 11a - 12p - Workshop 2 / Demystifying Pitch Decks (hands-on workshop)

FEBRUARY Demolicious will be at the NEW westside UpStart Collective location!

::::::: Please use the form below to apply to pitch for 2025!:::::::::

Demolicious is back! This monthly pitch event brings together founders and the community to learn about what is being built here and around Portland.

How this all works: If you are a founder, you will apply to pitch here. Don't worry. "Apply" simply means you want to pitch, but there's no real competitive process to be accepted. We just want to see what you're working on before we put you in front of a room full of people.

You will be given 3 minutes to pitch at the event.

The audience will be given a number to text and vote for their favorite one. The one with the most votes will go home with the Demolicious Championship belt.

The belt is not for you to keep as you will have to come back and "defend" it. However, you will be allowed to put your startup sticker (if applicable) on the belt for all to see and to live on forever in infamy!

We will post the projects/companies that will be pitching a week prior to the event. Which means you have until then to fill out the form.

Teams Pitching: TBD

Will you be the next founder to pitch!?!

The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN), and partner Xcelerate Women, invite you to a dynamic gathering on Thursday, January 30th starting at 8:00 am where entrepreneur support and community organizations from the Portland Metro area will pitch their services, programs, accelerators and engagement opportunities directly to entrepreneurs, startup founders and business owners in 2 minutes with just a microphone!

Unlike traditional startup pitch events where founders give the pitch, we are flipping the script and bringing together organizations to pitch the services they offer that help entrepreneurs succeed.

Entrepreneurs will walk away from the event not only with new knowledge of regional resources but with valuable connections and actionable steps to help accelerate their business journey, from securing funding to enhancing their leadership skills to accessing support in other critical areas of business growth.

Join us for a morning interacting with the leaders and organizations that can help you figure out how to make your startup idea a reality!

Details

Location: Metro Region Innovation Hub, 2130 SW 5th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201

Time: 8:00 – 10:30am

Agenda 8:00 am – Doors Open 8:30 am – Reverse Pitch Begins 9:30 am – Resource Fair & Networking 10:30 am – Event Ends

Cost: Free!

Please only register for this event if you are an Oregon or SW Washington founder or entrepreneur at an early, development or growth stage startup.

JANUARY Demolicious will be at the NEW westside UpStart Collective location!

::::::: Please use the form below to apply to pitch for 2025!:::::::::

Demolicious is back! This monthly pitch event brings together founders and the community to learn about what is being built here and around Portland.

How this all works: If you are a founder, you will apply to pitch here (https://forms.gle/sx81RaT6Nuqj9sWR7). Don't worry. "Apply" simply means you want to pitch, but there's no real competitive process to be accepted. We just want to see what you're working on before we put you in front of a room full of people.

You will be given 3 minutes to pitch at the event.

The audience will be given a number to text and vote for their favorite one. The one with the most votes will go home with the Demolicious Championship belt.

The belt is not for you to keep as you will have to come back and "defend" it. However, you will be allowed to put your startup sticker (if applicable) on the belt for all to see and to live on forever in infamy!

We will post the projects/companies that will be pitching a week prior to the event. Which means you have until then to fill out the form.

Teams Pitching: TBD

Will you be the next founder to pitch!?!