As we wrap up 2025, our team is feeling especially grateful for the incredible network of industry partners, employers, educators, and community organizations who make this work meaningful. Every project, partnership, and conversation this year reminded us how much stronger our region becomes when we work together.

From supporting talent development to building bridges between education and industry, 2025 was a year of shared progress. None of it would have been possible without your collaboration, creativity, and commitment to strengthening opportunity across Lane County.

Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to continue building on this momentum. We believe the best ideas emerge when people come together, and with “Collaborative” as our first name, we want to keep that spirit front and center. Our door is always open for new ideas, partnerships, and ways we can support one another in the year ahead.

Thank you for all you bring to this work. We are honored to be in community with you and look forward to an inspiring 2026.

Warmly,

The Collaborative EDO Team

This year was truly one to celebrate. Across Lane County, partners from industry, education, and community organizations came together to spark progress, expand opportunities, and create real impact for the people who live and work here.

As we look back on 2025, we are highlighting five exciting wins and what they mean for real impact in our region.

LANE COUNTY HEALTHCARE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP LAUNCH

More than 60 healthcare leaders from 33 organizations came together to officially launch the Lane County Healthcare Sector Partnership.

With hospitals, clinics, behavioral health providers, long-term care organizations, and educators now meeting at the same table, the partnership has already:



• Formed three ongoing Action Committees (Advocacy, Collaboration, Workforce)

• Identified shared priorities around staffing, training, and access to care

• Started building a single, coordinated employer voice for our local and state partners

CEDO’s role: we elevated this partnership so healthcare employers can focus on solutions, not logistics. We are facilitating the ongoing Action Committee meetings turning ideas into outcomes.

Want to get involved? Sign Up for LC Healthcare Sector Partnership HERE.

EmpowerPitch

EmpowerPitch opened the door for women founders to shine by providing hands-on pitch coaching and investor connections; the inaugural summer cohort numbers tell the story:

• 40 applicants with 20 founders selected for the cohort

• 15 went into OEN’s Angel Oregon programs, and 6+ entered due diligence conversations

• Graduates have pitched at Bend Venture Conference, Oregon Life Sciences Annual Conference, AOBIO, PubTalks and many more, resulting in nearly $100k in investment  

CEDO’s role: we designed and delivered this program to not only close the equity gap in venture funding, but to also keep high-potential female founders rooted right here in our community.

CareerReady Lane

In 2025, we piloted a simple way for employers to plug into classrooms: one sign-up, many ways to engage.

Through the CareerReady Lane platform, we:

• Onboarded 60+ industry partners into a shared platform

• Supported presentations to both teachers and industry professionals creating awareness about the platform

• Opened up career talks, site visits, and mentorship opportunities across Lane County’s school districts

CEDO’s role: we created a simple and straightforward way for industry to engage with students across Lane County from classroom to career.

CASCADES WEST INNOVATION HUB

The Cascades West Innovation Hub officially launched this fall, creating a coordinated system of technical assistance, mentorship, capital connections, and ecosystem support for innovators and small businesses across the region.

The potential for our region is endless:

• CEDO named as Lane County lead for the 4-county regional collaboration

• Monthly events offer connections and direct support for entrepreneurs, including Startup Coffee and PubTalks

• The first event had more than 50 attendees who received guidance on capital readiness

CEDO’s role: we are better positioned to help innovative founders access the right resources, and to make the regional innovation ecosystem easier to navigate for everyone involved.

BRIDGE LANE

In 2025, Bridge Lane showed what it looks like to truly meet people where they are.

Bridge Lane took place in Junction City, Florence, Blue River, and Veneta:

• Reached an estimated 600+ community members

• Helped Lane County residents connect to job resources, local employers, training programs, and volunteer opportunities in a welcoming, family-friendly space

• Bridge Lane’s momentum continues into 2026, with the largest event yet happening in Eugene Springfield on February 4

CEDO’s role: we coordinate the partners, design the experience, and help people discover support, new possibilities, and a pathway to prosperity.