---
title: 'Launch Oregon Summit highlights University of Oregon’s potential for the Oregon startup community'
date: '2025-09-11T13:38:39-07:00'
type: post
word_count: 407
char_count: 2631
tokens: 530
categories:
  - Portland
---

# Launch Oregon Summit highlights University of Oregon’s potential for the Oregon startup community

As [I mentioned during the recap last week](https://youtu.be/8O5gILMdWjc), I recently had the opportunity to visit Eugene and the University of Oregon via an invite from the [Launch Oregon](https://www.launchoregon.com/) crew as part of attending their Launch Oregon Summit. A jampacked Friday afternoon, we had the opportunity to both explore what was happening on campus as well as hear from folks from throughout the broader Oregon startup community.

Not familiar with Launch Oregon…? Here’s some context:





> Rooted in our mission, Launch Oregon is dedicated to accelerating the translation of research and innovation at the University of Oregon into commercial ventures. As a dynamic catalyst, we bridge the gap between innovation and opportunity, helping startups take flight.
> 
> At Launch Oregon, we understand that the journey from research to commercial viability is a complex and nuanced process. Alongside our extensive network of mentors, advisors, and partners, we are committed to providing the resources, expertise, and collaboration necessary to propel these ventures from concept to market.

The event was well attended and high energy. With a number of local investors making an effort to be there. Including [Next Ventures](https://siliconflorist.com/2025/09/10/next-ventures-announces-close-of-60m-fund/), whose team took the stage to share more about their fund. And the energy — and investment — on campus in terms of facilities and resources was impressive. Even with the a relatively brief opportunity to tour the revamped [Hayward Field](https://hayward.uoregon.edu/) and the new [Knight Campus](https://knightcampus.uoregon.edu/), the potential was clear.

“The Launch Oregon Summit goes beyond a single event—it’s about building a durable bridge between the University of Oregon and the broader investor community,” said Nate Costa, Director of Launch Oregon. “We want to help unlock the next generation of Oregon-grown companies, and the Summit made clear that investors have an appetite for what we all are building.”

For me, Eugene can often feel pretty far away — especially living in a town where crossing the river or heading through the West Hills tunnel can seem like a hardship. But Eugene really isn’t that far. And with these common pursuits and shared vision for the potential of innovation in Oregon, it’s only sure to feel closer as time goes on.

For more information, visit [Launch Oregon](https://www.launchoregon.com/).

Other Oregon startup stories
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