Empowering Portland's EdTech Startups: A Journey to LearnLaunch
- Metro Region Innovation Hub
- Aug 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 15
A Transformative Experience in Boston
From July 22–24, the Metro Region Innovation Hub facilitated a delegation of Portland-based edtech and workforce startups to LearnLaunch in Boston for a three-day business development trip. Three Portland edtech startups made the journey: Life2Launch, Prelude Early Learning (formerly Finnegan the Dragon), and Kipup Labs.
The Hub leveraged the LearnLaunch edtech accelerator and community—one of the most established in the U.S.—to connect participating founders with over 10 curated Boston-area leaders, investors, and industry experts who could “move the needle” for their businesses. The visit kicked off with an evening networking meetup on July 22, followed by a full day of targeted meetings on July 23 and additional morning sessions on July 24. Founders also had the option to attend Boston’s well-known Venture Café Thursday Gathering, a high-energy weekly event for entrepreneurs and investors.
The trip “helped crystallize where we’re strong and where we need to sharpen our message."
— Emily Cadiz, CEO of Prelude Early Learning
Insights from the Founders
For Life2Launch CEO Denise Waldron, the trip was “the opportunity for mentorship and to broaden our ecosystem within EdTech and start-up communities.” She noted that it also provided their Gen Z team members “a learning experience that expanded their perspective.” The concentrated series of meetings “catapulted us to a whole new level of momentum” and validated their product vision.
Prelude Early Learning CEO Emily Cadiz valued the “mix of deep, targeted feedback and warm, authentic community.” She remarked that the mentor sessions “helped crystallize where we’re strong and where we need to sharpen our message.” The experience accelerated their go-to-market clarity in ways “that would have taken months to uncover in isolation.”
For Kipup Labs co-founder Kristin Wolff, the trip turned out to be unexpectedly pivotal. “I had no idea it would be so relevant to me professionally and to Kipup,” she said. “Two mentor meetings in particular knocked my socks off.” She emphasized how the experience “firmed up our commitments to the company and to each other” and provided a framework to make key strategic decisions, including a complete rebuild of their codebase.
The Importance of Networking
Participants agreed that trips like this are essential for early-stage entrepreneurs. As Waldron explained, “Expanding outside the Pacific Northwest is essential to hear different perspectives and needs. Portland–Boston collaboration just makes sense.” Cadiz added, “Opportunities like this compress the timeline between insight and action. The clarity we gained in just a few days would have taken months to uncover on our own.”
The Metro Region Innovation Hub works to ensure that regional entrepreneurs have clear, guided access to the full range of available resources— even those beyond the region—necessary to launch, grow, and scale innovation-driven, traded-sector businesses.
Building a Stronger Community
The connections made during this trip are invaluable. They not only foster growth for individual startups but also strengthen the broader startup ecosystem in Portland. By engaging with leaders and innovators in Boston, these entrepreneurs gain insights that can propel their businesses forward.
As we reflect on this journey, it’s clear that collaboration is key. Sharing knowledge and experiences with others in the field can lead to breakthroughs that might not happen in isolation. This trip was more than just a series of meetings; it was a chance to build relationships and create a support network that will benefit all involved.
Looking Ahead
The future is bright for these Portland startups. With the momentum gained from this trip, they are better equipped to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. The insights and connections made during the LearnLaunch event will undoubtedly play a crucial role in their growth.
As we continue to support innovation-based entrepreneurs, we invite you to join us at the Metro Region Innovation Hub. Together, we can turn ideas into reality and strengthen our local startup community.
