Press ReleasesPress Release – Oregon Entrepreneurs Network Partners with OSU to Offer Startup Series Online
Portland, OR.,—The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, in partnership with Oregon State University’s College of Business, is announcing a new OEN Startup Series for entrepreneurs interested in starting a new business. The series, supported by a $25,000 grant from US Bank, will use a hybrid format with online learning and in-person sessions offered at the OSU Portland Center at Pioneer Square.
The program is a 10-week course designed for entrepreneurs who are pre-revenue or earning $250,000 or less in annual revenue. Participants will learn about the nuts and bolts of getting a business off the ground, including business structure, customer discovery, fundraising and capital planning, sales and marketing strategies, financial management, managing vendors and suppliers, hiring a team, and more.
“Supporting Oregon business owners is critical to advancing the health and well-being of our Portland community,” said Mitzi Montoya, dean of the College of Business. “We are proud to partner with OEN to make entrepreneurship curriculum accessible on a digital platform, meeting entrepreneurs where they are.”
As a hybrid course, students will meet in-person two times over the course of the 10 weeks. Other weeks, they will learn via online modules and discussion boards. This format allows entrepreneurs from across the state to access the course content.
Instructors for the course include successful entrepreneurs and a variety of business experts. Students will also be supported by a network of mentors who will provide additional one-to-one coaching in addition to classroom-style instruction.
OEN piloted its 10-week “Startup Series” in 2018, and the program received high reviews from its participants: “Going through the Startup Series by OEN was exactly what my company needed. The cohort was provided access to mentors who helped me shape my goals for the coming year. Whether you’re a new entrepreneur just developing an idea or you’re already operating a business, the Startup Series experience is incredibly valuable,” said Skyler Pearson, Startup Series graduate and Cofounder and CEO of NexGarden. Another graduate, Deborah Kane, Founder, and CEO of GoCamp, added “When you are just starting out, you often can’t see the bigger picture. This class provided much-needed perspective on proper business structure, marketing, finances and more.”
“OEN’s partnership with OSU’s College of Business allows us to scale this critical program to entrepreneurs across the state. OSU is a leading provider of online content and their expertise, combined with OEN’s stellar network of instructors and mentors will provide a top-notch program accessible by anyone,” said Maggie Finnerty, OEN’s President and Executive Director.
The course will launch Monday, April 1. The cost of the program is $495 for OEN members and $595 for non-members. Scholarships will be available for entrepreneurs who require financial assistance. Registration is available in OSU’s course catalog at https://oregon-state.catalog.instructure.com/browse/exec-pro-education/exec-education/courses/osu-oen. Space is limited to 45 students.
About OEN
A nonprofit, membership-driven organization with a 28-year track record, OEN is the heart of Oregon’s entrepreneurial community. Its mission is to drive innovation, facilitate job creation, and put Oregon on the map as a center for entrepreneurial excellence. Learn more at oen.org.
About the OSU College of Business
The College of Business educates students for success in managing and developing sustainable, innovative enterprises in a dynamic economy. With strong graduate and undergraduate programs, internationally recognized scholarly research, and an emphasis on experiential learning, the college helps students and businesses succeed.
Contact:
Miles Shattuck
Marketing & Communications Manager
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN)
(503) 222-2270
miles@oen.org
