Oregon Startup Conference Comes to Newberg Friday

NEWBERG, Ore. — Entrepreneurs from across Oregon will gather at George Fox University on June 20 for a one-day event spotlighting the state’s startup ecosystem.

“The Oregon Startup Conference is more than a pitch event,” the event description reads. “It’s a celebration of bold ideas, community-driven innovation, and the power of entrepreneurship to shape the future of our region.”

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and features speakers, workshops, and a resource fair connecting startup founders with service providers.

The day opens with an “Inspirational Invocation” by Tamika L. Herbert, a breast cancer survivor, empowerment advocate, and author known for her message of resilience and personal transformation through faith and healing, according to conference organizers.

Following the welcome, a series of panel discussions will cover topics including:

• How Startups Are Scaling with Story, Strategy & Social
• Funding the Future: What You Need to Know About VCs, Angels & Public Resources
• How Did You Get There?, in which founders share pivotal moments, challenges overcome, and lessons learned on their journeys to success

The conference’s featured event, Pitch Willamette, begins at 2 p.m. with the winner announced at 4 p.m. This Shark Tank-style competition gives startups the chance to pitch to investors for a chance to win prize money to support their growth. 

Last year, Newberg-based reusable wine bottle startup Revino co-won the competition and received a $20,000 prize.

The event is led by SEDCOR and organized by Launch Mid-Valley with support from Business Oregon. Hosts include Mike White, “venture catalyst” and strategic advisor for Launch Mid-Valley, and Malee Ojua, CEO of Sacred Fire Creative and innovation navigator for Launch Mid-Valley.

General admission tickets are $55 and $20 for Pitch Willamette only. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Oregon Startup Conference website.