Portland, Bend, and Eugene Lead as Oregon’s Top Cities for Launching Startups with Strong Local Government Support
Portland, Bend, and Eugene are the top three cities selected by entrepreneurs to launch a startup business in Oregon.
The cities are ranked among the top 150 places in the U.S. to launch a new business in a poll of 3,024 respondents conducted by MarketBeat.com, a financial media company.
Local Governments the Heroes of Successful Entrepreneurship
According to the survey, local governments are often the heroes of a successful startup business, offering services that cut time-delaying red tape, and investing cash and mentorship into new entrepreneurial enterprises.
The question MarketBeat asked respondents was where they would choose to launch a startup based only on local government support. In Oregon, Portland, Bend, and Eugene were the popular choices.
Portland is the Startup Hub of the State
Portland is the startup hub of Oregon, hosting nearly 50% of the state’s incubators.
Portland attracts entrepreneurial startups with programs like the Oregon Bioscience Incubator and Portland Incubator Experiment.
The City offers mentorship and funding via the Oregon Translational Research and Development Institute (OTRADI), Prosper Portland, and state grants. OTRADI was launched in 2007 and translates scientific research developed in Oregon laboratories into commercial ventures.
Portland has engendered an ecosystem that attracts startups with resources and an existing and vibrant tech community. Oregon placed 32nd overall of the 150 top locations selected by respondents.
Bend is Rapidly Becoming a Hot Spot for Startups
Bend offers mentorship and spaces to startups via its Bend Tech incubators, establishing itself as a hot spot for startups in Central Oregon.
The OSU-Cascades Innovation District is a 24-acre, 800,000-square-foot area that will serve as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and economic development. It will bring together researchers, students, industry, and the community to foster a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The district will focus on supporting startups, providing internships, and developing shared research facilities.
The aim is to create a space where academic instruction and research can collaborate with industrial innovation. Development of the first phase is earmarked for 2028. Bend was placed 68th overall.
The startups in Eugene are mentored by state-funded RAIN Eugene, and the University of Oregon’s innovation hubs that offer access to capital and training.
The Innovation Hub and events are fostering a growing and thriving community. With low costs, mentorship, and state seed funds, Eugene offers a launchpad for entrepreneurs. Eugene is placed 79th overall.