Boot-y call: Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) lands grant to build startup accelerator “boot camps” statewide

If you’re in the tech scene, you’re well aware of the incubator and accelerator renaissance going on right now. It seems like every day a new organization arises to ensure startups have more resources to move faster and further than they would on their own. But that’s not always happening in your backyard.

Now, it is. The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) has just been granted more resources to help form those accelerators—right here in Oregon.

The grant from the Oregon Community Foundation will provide OEN with $75,000 to help accelerators build curriculum and boot camps around the state. Especially in rural communities.

Entrepreneurs throughout Oregon have great ideas, but they often lack the business experience needed to launch a successful company. That is where OEN comes in. Volunteers and staff at the OEN have the expertise and passion needed to provide mentoring. However, it’s always been offered in an informal way until now.

The Oregon Community Foundation understands the important role entrepreneurs play in Oregon’s economy and learned about the important services OEN provides as part of the Foundation’s effort to improve the economy and increase jobs in Oregon.

The first foray into this effort will be in partnership with VentureBox, an accelerator out of Bend, which will launch at the Bend Venture Conference today. VentureBox also just received funding from Deschutes County.

From the sounds of things, these “startup boot camps” will mimic the model championed by accelerators like TechStars and Y Combinator, providing three months of intensive mentorship focused on helping startups become self-sustaining business. And, hopefully, building companies that can hire employees.

“Helping entrepreneurs get access to the mentorship, education and the opportunity to access investment capital is a critical priority for Oregon Entrepreneurs Network,” said OEN President and Executive Director Linda Weston, in a press release. “We are delighted to get this opportunity to be able to support rural Oregon entrepreneurs in this way.”

For more information, keep an eye on the OEN.

Published by Rick Turoczy

More than mildly obsessed with the Portland startup community. Founder and editor at Silicon Florist. Cofounder and general manager at PIE. Follow me on Twitter: @turoczy View all posts by Rick Turoczy