The Metro Region Innovation Hub (The Hub) is more than just an initiative; it is the result of a shared vision to empower entrepreneurs in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties. This initiative aims to bring innovative ideas to life, bridge gaps in resources, and cultivate a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. While we launched this year, The Hub is actually years in the making.
The journey began with a clear realization: despite the Portland metro area’s robust entrepreneurial community, significant gaps in resources and coordination hindered many entrepreneurs from achieving their full potential. Recognizing these challenges, a coalition of regional partners applied for a planning grant from Business Oregon in 2022. The goal? To evaluate the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and design a roadmap for a comprehensive innovation hub.
The planning grant brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including Portland State University, Greater Portland Inc., Prosper Portland, Oregon Bioscience Incubator, Built Oregon, and many others. Over 14 months, this coalition undertook a rigorous process of engagement and analysis to shape the Hub’s framework.
The coalition aligned its efforts with Business Oregon’s vision of fostering an inclusive, diverse, and resilient economy. This alignment helped shape the Hub’s goals of accessibility, innovation, and growth.
The coalition also hired ECONorthwest, a leading consultancy, to conduct an extensive study that included surveys, interviews, and focus groups with over 400 entrepreneurs and ecosystem participants. The insights from this research were pivotal in identifying barriers to growth and opportunities for intervention.
The ECONorthwest study highlighted five major challenges facing the region’s entrepreneurs:
Access to Capital: Many startups struggled to secure funding, with some founders needing to seek resources outside the state.
Service Coordination: Existing entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) were often siloed, making it difficult for entrepreneurs to navigate resources effectively.
Mentorship: Entrepreneurs valued mentorship but cited a lack of structured, sector-specific support.
Sector-Specific Gaps: Certain industries lacked tailored programs and guidance, limiting their potential for growth.
Equity and Inclusion: Marginalized communities faced systemic barriers, including limited visibility and access to resources.

These findings underscored the urgency of creating a centralized entity—an innovation hub—to address these issues comprehensively.
With the insights gathered, the coalition envisioned a Hub built around five functional pillars:
Resource Navigation for Entrepreneurs: A team of navigators would guide entrepreneurs through the ecosystem and connect them with relevant resources.
Community Outreach to Entrepreneurs: The Hub would build trust and engage underserved communities though the work of community liaisons.
Skills Development: Instead of focusing on long-term programs, The Hub would create on-demand classes, workshops, and other educational initiatives tailored to entrepreneurs’ evolving needs, focusing initially on improving access to capital. These programs would be designed and run within two months of a need arising
Mentorship: A structured mentor-matching program emphasizing accountability and milestone-driven progress that was easily accessible to entrepreneurs.
Communication: A robust strategy to increase awareness and accessibility, particularly for marginalized groups.
The planning phase culminated in the submission of a comprehensive proposal to Business Oregon, with PSU as the host organization. While the Hub is operating as an independent entity to ensure accessibility and inclusivity, PSU was chosen as the host organization because of its experience in fiscal management and its extensive network of partners.
The Hub is not just a response to gaps in the entrepreneurial ecosystem; it is a proactive step toward creating a more inclusive, innovative, and connected community. With a clear vision and committed partners, the Hub is poised to become a catalyst for entrepreneurial growth in the Portland metro region.
The Hub launched in 2024 to begin implementing its initiatives.
If you have ideas or ways we can be more supportive of entrepreneurs in the metro Portland email, let us know.
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