Launch Mid-Valley’s Coffee Club Aims to Grow Newberg’s Startup Community

NEWBERG, Ore. — A growing number of local entrepreneurs are finding support and inspiration through the Launch Mid-Valley Coffee Club for Start-Ups, a monthly networking program organized by Launch Mid-Valley and SEDCOR, hosted at Zenzari Print and Copy on the first Tuesday of each month.

Designed to help early-stage businesses across Yamhill, Marion, and Polk counties, Launch Mid-Valley connects founders with resources, mentorship, and access to capital. The Mid-Valley Coffee Club for Start-Ups, started by Launch Mid Valley Innovation Navigator Malee Ojua, offers a casual space for entrepreneurs to build relationships, exchange ideas, and find community.

“As a venture capitalist, I work alongside SEDCOR and other partners to support entrepreneurs across the region,” said Mike White, founder of Best Damn BBQ Sauce and principal at Willamette Equity Advisors. “Our goal is to build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem by connecting founders with people, programs, and capital to help them grow and scale their businesses.”

White is one of several local leaders helping expand Launch Mid-Valley’s presence in Newberg. George Fox University has also partnered with the initiative to bridge the gap between higher education and the startup community.

“It is important that higher education is a supportive community for those who are looking to start businesses,” said Shawn Daley, chief strategy officer at George Fox University. “We have great researchers, facilities that companies can use as resources, and an annual pool of exceptional graduates to help businesses grow.”

New Businesses, New Ideas

Jenny Borth, co-founder of Borth Industries, said she’s finding her footing at the Coffee Club. Borth and her husband, Andrew, create custom molds and stamps for concrete, allowing artwork, logos, or text to be embedded into retaining walls, foundations, and sidewalks during construction.

The idea for the business came while Borth, a civil and environmental engineer, was working on an ADA-accessible beach project in Rockaway Beach. When concerns about graffiti on new retaining walls arose, Borth realized she had the tools — and the CNC router — to create custom molds that would cast artwork directly into the concrete.

“I said, ‘I can make the art forms if you want me to,’” Borth recalled. “And that’s how Borth Industries came into existence.”

Borth Industries officially launched in October 2024 and is currently focused on building awareness about its services. Attending the Mid-Valley Coffee Club has been key to making local connections.

“I met Deb from Zenzari Print, who helped me with my business cards,” Borth said. “I also met Carr [Biggerstaff] with the Chehalem Valley Innovation Accelerator, who introduced me to local artists, and Malee [Ojua], who told me about programs funded through Business Oregon.”

Naureen Khan, SEDCOR marketing communications manager, said that startups at every stage are welcome to join the networking event.

“Don’t feel bad if you’re at a place where you can’t talk about the business, or don’t fully know where you’re going yet,” Khan said. “Just show up, and we can help you get to where you want to go. That’s a huge part of what we’re doing.”

For Borth, attending the meetups has been more than a networking opportunity.

“It’s helped me feel a lot less isolated as a new business owner,” she said.

Challenges and Opportunities

While Newberg’s entrepreneurial support system is growing, leaders say founders still face challenges, particularly around real estate and investment access.

“For certain types of businesses — especially those that require manufacturing space — entrepreneurs in Newberg can feel landlocked,” White said.

Daley agreed, adding that capital can be harder to secure compared to larger markets.

“There is a greater concentration of investors in Portland, purely due to the size of the city versus Newberg,” he said.

Still, both leaders emphasized the strong local support network already in place, including the Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Chehalem Valley Innovation Accelerator, George Fox University, and the Yamhill County Small Business Development Center.

“Honestly, it’s good, but it needs to be better,” Daley said. “Mike [White] and Malee [Ojua] are doing important work to connect this community and help create companies that provide jobs and support families.”

White said he’s optimistic about the types of businesses launching in the region, noting strengths in agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and the food and beverage industries.

Daley added that innovations in precision agriculture, food, and hospitality reflect the region’s character.

“Those all make sense, given what our region is known for and what resources it has available,” he said.

Looking Ahead

Launch Mid-Valley is planning several events in the coming months, including a resource forum about accessing capital and an upcoming virtual AI speaker series. Organizers are also preparing to host the Oregon Startup Conference at George Fox University on June 20, which they hope will become a cornerstone event for the local startup ecosystem.

Meanwhile, entrepreneurs like Borth are staying focused on growth. She hopes that a year from now, Borth Industries will have a portfolio of meaningful projects that help communities incorporate art and inspiration into their infrastructure.

“There are a lot of projects being done every day that could have art or inspirational messages in them, but they don’t because people don’t realize that it’s an option,” Borth said.

As for advice to other new founders, White said it’s important to build a strong foundation early.

“Find a mentor, advisor, or subject matter expert and seek out their advice early,” White said. “Also, keep your day job while you’re getting started, and make sure you’ve got some financial cushion in the bank.”

Daley encouraged entrepreneurs to tap into the region’s growing network of supporters.

“There are many people who want to help you succeed, because if your business thrives, it’s good for the entire community,” he said.

For Borth, the support she found through Launch Mid-Valley’s Coffee Club is already paying off.

“Currently, I’m in the phase of letting people know that my services exist, so networking is the best thing I could ask for,” she said.

The Mid-Valley Coffee Club for startups in Newberg meets the first Tuesday of each month at Zenzari Copy and Print, 1104 N. Springbrook Road. Attendees gather around a table and are provided prompts to discuss current business challenges, while others offer insight or guidance. The next meeting is May 6, 2025.

Meetups can be themed, such as when representatives from the City of Newberg visited to discuss how to work with city government. Other times, the format is a more free-flowing conversation.

“Sometimes it’s connecting and sharing wins, other times it’s venting because entrepreneurship is hard,” Khan said. “It’s community building, and sometimes that’s what you need to keep going — just to know you’re not alone.”

Learn more and see a full list of upcoming events at Launch Mid-Valley’s website.

Correction 05/21/25 at 2:27 p.m.— Launch Mid Valley Regional Innovation Hub Innovation Navigator Malee Ojua has requested to be credited as the Newberg Coffee Club for Startups program’s founder. The original version of this story did not list a founder. Newsberg regrets the omission.