What an incredible night at OBI’s Annual Startup Spotlight Expo!

This event shines a spotlight on OBI client companies and their remarkable accomplishments in biotech innovation, showcasing the groundbreaking work that is driving the future of life sciences. The event was beautifully catered by Mundo Catering, creating the perfect atmosphere for an evening filled with innovation and connection. Our Executive Director, Heather Ellis, and OTRADI/OBI Board Chair Aditi Martin opened the night with inspiring remarks, celebrating the incredible growth and collaboration within our community.
The highlight of the evening was an amazing Fireside Chat moderated by Jackie Wirz, PhD, featuring an all-women panel of biotech leaders: Norah Green Verbout and Patricia B. It was a powerful moment, showing just how vital women are in shaping the future of the bioscience industry. With 25% of OBI’s client companies led by women, we’re proud to showcase the strength and diversity of the Oregon biotech community. We are so grateful to everyone who attended, making this event such a success. The energy and innovation from our local biotech community were truly inspiring, and we’re excited to see what’s next for these groundbreaking startups! Join us next year!

OBI Client Company Recent Wins

We’re thrilled to announce that OBI client companies, Trace Biosciences and Promedix Inc, have been selected as Growth Stage Semi-Finalists for the 2024 Bend Venture Conference!

Learn more about OBI’s 32 startups by visiting our website!

Oregon State Representative Daniel Nguyen Visits OBI

We were honored to host Oregon State Representative Daniel Nguyen at the Oregon Bioscience Incubator in August! During a dynamic roundtable discussion, we delved into the biotech startup ecosystem, exploring both the advantages and challenges of building and growing in Oregon. Representative Nguyen’s insights were invaluable as we discussed the unique opportunities our state offers to innovators, as well as the hurdles our startups face. At OBI, we are committed to fostering an environment where biotech companies can thrive, and conversations like these are crucial in shaping the future of innovation in Oregon.

Oregon State Senator Chris Gorsek Visits OBI

In early September, we were delighted to host Senator Chris Gorsek at the Oregon Bioscience Incubator! We were joined by founders of OBI client companies for a lively discussion on the dynamic world of biotech startups in Oregon. Together, we explored the unique opportunities and multi-layered challenges that come with building biotech ventures in our state. Senator Gorsek’s insights and engagement highlight the importance of supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in Oregon’s growing bioscience sector.

Biomentoring Program

Expert Guidance: Benefit from insights of seasoned mentors with diverse startup experience.

Tailored Support: Get personalized mentorship to tackle your unique challenges and goals.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers and expand your professional network.

And the best part? It’s completely FREE! Our mentors are dedicated to nurturing the next wave of innovators.

Join us for lunch at the Bend Venture Conference

Join us for an engaging lunchtime networking event at Bend Venture Conference designed for biotech and digital health enthusiasts! Connect with fellow professionals, contribute to the conversation about advancing these thriving sectors in Oregon, and foster meaningful relationships within the health innovation community.

We’ll gather at Father Luke’s Room at McMenamins Old St. Francis School in between the BVC Pre-Conference Seminars and the BVC Keynote Presentation. This is a perfect opportunity to engage with individuals from both academia and industry. Lunch will be provided, with options available to accommodate dietary restrictions. Doors open at noon.

If you’re an investor, health innovation startup, or bioscience champion, we warmly invite you to this enriching networking experience.

A special thanks to our partners at OEN for co-hosting this event. OEN offers the annual Angel Oregon Life and Bioscience (AOBIO) program, which combines entrepreneurial education with the chance to secure equity funding of up to $300k through a competitive application process and pitch competition. To learn more about this exciting program, click here 2024 Angel Oregon Life & Bioscience – Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, and don’t miss the update during our networking lunch!

Free Registration HERE

OSU Accelerate Fall 2024

Accelerate is a nine week program open to community members and OSU researchers, students and staff who intend to establish a privately held, high-growth entrepreneurial venture. This stage focuses on developing a minimal viable product and engaging in customer discovery to validate your product/market fit.

The regular Accelerate program runs three times a year (fall, winter, and spring). Through the scheduled program events, one-on-one sessions with the staff, meetings with mentors, and access to intern assistance on projects, startup teams will receive the support they need to get their concept into the marketplace.

Accelerate has both in-person and remote options that meet every week for nine weeks. Each session runs for two hours from 3pm-5pm on Tuesdays. The fall cohort will begin October 8th. Apply HERE

Matching Grant Applications Open for Recipients of Federal SBIR and STTR Program Awards

Business Oregon, through the Oregon Innovation Council (Oregon InC), has opened the application period for eligible businesses to apply for matching grants if they have won a federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) award. Oregon companies that have received federal SBIR/STTR awards after January 1, 2023, can apply for Business Oregon’s SBIR/STTR Matching Grant awards.

The mission of the federal SBIR/STTR programs is to support science and technology innovation to build a strong economy. In 2023, Oregon companies were awarded nearly $54 million in federal SBIR/STTR awards, often referred to as “America’s Seed Fund.” The SBIR/STTR programs provide funding that doesn’t dilute ownership, preserving control and flexibility for entrepreneurs. Business Oregon’s SBIR/STTR Matching Grant program is designed to leverage this federal investment in innovation in Oregon, encouraging businesses to develop new technologies and grow their companies locally.

The Matching Grant program helps address gaps in the federal SBIR/STTR federal funding and supports companies trying to get their product into the marketplace. The Matching Grants can also help better position the companies for future fundraising and growth after the federal grants have completed. Earlier this year, Business Oregon awarded nearly $1 million in SBIR/STTR Matching Grants to 14 Oregon companies—leveraging over $10.8 million in federal grants that those companies received between 2022-2023.

Read more about the SBIR/STTR Matching Grant program and apply at www.oregon.gov/biz/programs/SBIR-STTR/. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday, October 21, 2024.

Virtual Lunch & Learn: Biotech Business Bootcamp Session 2
September 24, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. -1:00 p.m.
Register Here

Other Community Events

OCTRI’s Biomedical Innovation Commercialization Readiness Program
Starts September 27, 2024 | 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Virtual
Free to attend – registration

2024 Bend Venture Conference
The largest angel conference in the Pacific Northwest!
October 17-19, 2024
Downtown Bend
Registration is Open!

Upcoming Lab and Office Space Availability at OBI!

We are excited to announce that new lab and office space will soon be available at OBI! Our state-of-the-art facilities provide an ideal environment for growing life science and bioscience startups. Whether you’re looking for lab space or an office in a dynamic and collaborative setting, we have options to meet your needs.

To learn more about the available spaces and how they can support your company’s growth, visit our facilities page and fill out the inquiry form at the bottom. Don’t miss this opportunity to become part of our thriving biotech community!