Companies don’t grow in isolation. They grow in the right conditions, where ideas are supported, connections are real, and momentum builds across an entire community. In Oregon and Southwest Washington, that fertile ground has been cultivated over decades, creating a place where entrepreneurs can take root, collaborate, and scale.
Here, growth is collective. It is shaped by mentors, investors, partners, and a network that shows up. It is fueled by a culture that values creativity, resilience, and the willingness to build something bigger than yourself. From early traction to breakout success, this region continues to prove what is possible when the ecosystem is strong.
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network and Presenting Sponsor Columbia Bank invite you to celebrate a milestone year at the 2026 Oregon Entrepreneurship Awards, marking the 35th Anniversary with the theme Deep Roots. Bold Growth. on Thursday, November 12th at the Sentinel Hotel in Portland.
Join us for an evening that honors the ecosystem that makes it all possible and the founders who are growing within it. Together, we will celebrate the people, companies, and community that continue to strengthen this region and push it forward.
Come celebrate what happens when innovation is planted in the right place and given the space to grow.
2026 Oregon Entrepreneurship Awards
Thursday, November 12th
5:00 – 10:00 pm
Sentinel Hotel
614 SW 11th Ave
Portland, OR 97205
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network is delighted to introduce the finalists for the 2026 Oregon Entrepreneurship Awards.
Early Stage
Just planting their roots and building what comes next:
Birch Biosciences
Emily Duncan and Johan Kers, Co-Founders
Elkhorn Products
Heather Jones and Jeff Jones, Co-Founders
Trace Biosciences
Connor Barth, Summer Gibbs, and Lei Wang, Co-Founders
Development
The roots are getting deeper, and the growth is getting bolder.
Haystack Robotics
Madhadev Eakambaram, Founder
Revino
Cāllie Edwards, Keenan O’Hern, MBA and Adam Rack, Co-Founders
Square Baby
Kendall Glynn, MS, CGC and Katie Thomson, MS, RD, Co-Founders
Growth Stage
Big ideas are one thing. Turning them into flourishing companies is another.
OpConnect
Dan Lulich and Dexter Turner, Co-Founders
Overwatch Imaging
Greg Davis, Founder
Prophetic
Oliver Alexander, Jimmy Cleveland, Ph.D., Daniel Lifflander, and Ramie Mount, Co-Founders
Trailblazer
Awarded to an individual company that has demonstrated creativity, originality, and entrepreneurial spirit in its pursuit of new ideas and innovative solutions.
Bold Reuse
Jocelyn Gaudi Quarrell and Heather Watkins – Co-Founders
Prophetic
Oliver Alexander, Jimmy Cleveland, Ph.D., Daniel Lifflander, and Ramie Mount, Co-Founders
SokoLife
Nataliia Shchotkina MSc, PhD – Founder
Entrepreneurial Achievement
Recognizing a founder or co-founding team who have led their company to success while demonstrating outstanding leadership.
The Tom Holce Community Catalyst Award recognizes an individual or community organization that creates opportunities for connection, education and services in support of founders and entrepreneurs.
Gabriel Flores
Latino Founders and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)
Gabriel Flores has spent his career creating opportunities and building bridges for entrepreneurs. Through Latino Founders and his work with OHSU, he has helped connect people, ideas, resources, and communities while creating more pathways for Latino entrepreneurs and innovators to grow.
For more than a decade, the Oregon State University Advantage Accelerator has helped researchers, students, and entrepreneurs turn promising ideas into companies. By bringing together mentorship, entrepreneurial education, research, industry, and investment connections, the program helps innovation take root and move toward impact.
Robert “Skip” Rung
Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI)
Skip Rung has played a defining role in Oregon’s technology and commercialization ecosystem. Through ONAMI, he has helped connect research and entrepreneurship, support emerging technology companies, and build pathways for innovation to move from the lab into the marketplace.
D.A. Davidson invites you to gather in the Grand Ballroom for a vibrant Welcome Reception. Starting at 5:00 pm, join fellow founders, leaders, and innovators to plant new ideas, strengthen relationships, and spark the kind of bold growth that carries far beyond the room.
The Awards Ceremony will take place in the Pavilion starting at 6:30 pm featuring a dynamic awards ceremony honoring trailblazing founders and visionary leaders across industries.
Don’t rush off right after the awards!
Meet back in the Grand Ballroom for a lively close to the evening, filled with conversation, connection, and the energy that keeps great ideas growing.
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network is delighted to welcome our 2026 Emcee Dr. Jackie Wirz, Executive Director of Link Oregon, the state’s nonprofit research and education network, where she works at the intersection of technology, education, and public service to strengthen digital infrastructure. Her work focuses on advancing high-performance connectivity, supporting research and innovation, and expanding equitable access to technology for communities statewide.
With a PhD in biochemistry and more than 20 years of experience spanning research science, nonprofit leadership, and public-private collaboration, Jackie brings a systems-level perspective to complex challenges in technology and workforce development. She is a frequent speaker and facilitator on topics including digital equity, leadership, and the social impacts of emerging technologies.
Jackie is deeply committed to mentorship and talent pipelines for women and underrepresented groups in STEM and technology. Through her leadership, she has helped build cross-sector partnerships that connect students, educators, industry leaders, and policymakers. She is an avid reader, terrible runner, and believes that the best connections are made over a cup of good coffee or pinot noir.
Ticketing Information
Individual Tickets
The 2026 OEN Entrepreneurship Awards will include a Welcome Reception and After Party with heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. There will be no sit-down dinner.
- OEN Member: $125
- Non-Member $150
Underwriting Tickets
Help underwrite the Oregon Entrepreneurship Awards as a Community Builder or by purchasing a Party Pack. Contact Sarah Norris (sarah@oen.org) to coordinate your Awards engagement.
- Community Builder: $2,000
Includes eight (8) tickets to the Awards, complimentary tickets gifted to regional entrepreneurs on your behalf, and recognition on the website, in the event program, and on signage at the Awards. - Party Pack: $1,500
This opportunity includes eight (8) tickets to the Awards and recognition in the event program.
35th Annual Oregon Entrepreneurship Awards Sponsorship
CLICK HERE to find available sponsorship opportunities, and contact Sarah Norris (sarah@oen.org) if your organization would like to discuss sponsoring the 2026 OEN Entrepreneurship Awards.
Thank You Sponsors
Community Builders
Bank of America
Elkhorn Products
Marsh
Merrill Lynch
Miller Nash
Overwatch Imaging
Perkins Coie
Portland Seed Fund
Riverview Bank
University of Portland
