---
title: 'In pursuit of a more diverse Portland startup scene: Include. Innovate. Invest. PORTLAND.'
date: '2014-02-18T11:13:32-08:00'
type: post
word_count: 239
char_count: 1714
tokens: 311
categories:
  - Events
  - Oregon
  - Portland
  - Startups
tags:
  - diverse
  - diversity
  - PDC
  - Portland
---

# In pursuit of a more diverse Portland startup scene: Include. Innovate. Invest. PORTLAND.

I’m a firm believer that, if the Portland startup scene is to truly take its place among other leading startup epicenters, it will only come with increased diversity in our companies. We’re making slight inroads here and there. But there’s much more to be done. That’s why the [Portland Development Commission](http://pdc.us "Portland Development Commission") is looking to gather folks to get more going. Introducing [Include. Innovate. Invest. PORTLAND.](http://www.eventbrite.com/e/include-innovate-invest-portland-tickets-10322929159 "Include. Innovate. Invest. PORTLAND.")

> PDC is dedicated to growing the next generation of leaders in our innovation economy. Portland’s future workforce will look very different from today’s workforce. We can expect our future disrupters to come from diverse backgrounds. Supporting and encouraging leaders from underrepresented populations will create mentors for the next generation workforce and ensure a robust and sustainable economic future for Portland.

Speakers include D’Wayne Edwards of [Pensole](http://www.pensole.com/ "Pensole"), Marcelino Alvarez of [Uncorked Studios](http://www.uncorkedstudios.com/ "Uncorked Studios"), Michael Gray of [GlobeSherpa](http://globesherpa.com "GlobeSherpa"), and Paola Moretto of [Nouvola](http://www.nouvola.com/ "Nouvola").

The even will be held at Puppet Labs on February 27, 2014. Doors at 5:30PM. Speakers begin at 6:00PM.

For more information or to register, visit [Include. Innovate. Invest. PORTLAND.](http://www.eventbrite.com/e/include-innovate-invest-portland-tickets-10322929159 "Include. Innovate. Invest. PORTLAND.")