Our friends at the Oregon UAS Accelerator are currently on the lookout for their next cohort of founders. That’s right. The Pendleton-based drone, robotics, and autonomous-systems accelerator has opened applications for a whole new group of folks to join them for their Fall 2026 program, a 12-week hybrid accelerator(some virtual, some on the ground in Pendleton). So if you’ve got a prototype, an MVP, or even just some early validation, get your application submitted.
The accelerator is designed for founders, co-founders, and technical leaders building uncrewed aerial, ground, or maritime systems, along with enabling autonomy, AI-enabled platforms, sensing technologies, communications, payload, and mission software solutions. The program is best suited for startups at the prototype, MVP, or early validation stage, generally around TRL 3 or above, with a clear commercial, public-sector, homeland security, or defense use case.
The Fall 2026 cohort is intended for a broad range of innovators, not only defense-focused companies. Oregon-based startups are prioritized, but the program also welcomes domestic and international companies interested in soft-landing, testing, and scaling in Oregon.
Completing the program comes with a $5,000 non-dilutive subgrant and eligibility for a performance-aligned recognition pool with additional non-dilutive support. And — as ever — the real prize is access. To the Pendleton UAS Range. To mentorship. To testing and validation pathways you simply can’t get anywhere else. The cohort wraps with a UAS Innovation Showcase in front of investors and subject-matter experts.
Applications are due July 19, 2026. Acceptance notifications go out July 31, 2026. The program runs from August 26, 2026.
For more information or to apply, visit the Oregon UAS Accelerator.
