As we look toward the year ahead, Collaborative EDO is focused on making what works work harder for the communities we serve.

Alongside over 55 partner organizations and local employers, CEDO is preparing for our largest Bridge Lane ever. This high-impact event returns to our metro area in February, connecting jobseekers to real openings and employers to local talent, at scale. If you’re an employer who’s hiring, we’d love to help you plug in, details below.



Startup Coffee Meetups are also returning to Eugene as part of the Cascades West Innovation Hub, with support from the University of Oregon. We’re bringing back a simple, proven format that helps entrepreneurs and support organizations connect, compare notes, and move ideas forward. See this month’s Innovate article for more information.

And EmpowerPitch is growing in 2026 with support from the Oregon Community Foundation. With their investment, CEDO is able to provide free pitch preparation and founder education across the region, expanding access to resources that help startups get traction and grow jobs.

At the same time, our industry sector work is moving full steam ahead, boosting the competitiveness of local industries like healthcare and construction aggregate by aligning workforce, innovation, and economic development priorities with employers and partners.

Our formula is straightforward: accelerate the creation of good local jobs, then help people access those opportunities. We’re excited for the year ahead and grateful to the partners who help make this work possible.

2026… let’s do this!

Matt

What works in Lane County is collaboration, and the annual Community Collaborative & Industry Luncheon, is where it works hardest. On April 1, 2026, Collaborative Economic Development Oregon will host the third annual CC&I Luncheon, bringing together industry, community, and public-sector leaders to strengthen partnerships that drive regional success.

The 2026 theme, “Business at the Center: How Industry Leadership Drives Regional Success,” focuses on scaling the strategies that already deliver results by placing employers at the heart of workforce and economic solutions. This year’s program features Damon Runberg, State Economist with Business Oregon, as emcee, and a keynote by Francie Genz, Co-founder and CEO of Formation and a national leader in sector partnerships and workforce innovation.

Sponsoring CC&I is a proven way to amplify what is working by elevating your organization’s visibility while supporting meaningful dialogue, connection, and action across Lane County. Multiple sponsorship levels, tables, and tabling opportunities are available.

Join us in making collaboration work harder for our region.

Startup Coffee Meetups are back, offering an easy, welcoming way to connect with the people building and supporting our region’s innovation economy. Fresh coffee, open conversation, and meaningful connections come together on Thursday mornings in the heart of Eugene’s startup community.

The meetup is returning to downtown Eugene, where Startup Coffee was first established years ago by RAIN Eugene as an early gathering place for local founders. This format reflects a proven model used across Oregon to bring entrepreneurs and support organizations together in a relaxed, relationship-focused setting.

As part of the Cascades West Innovation Hub, and hosted by Collaborative EDO in partnership with the University of Oregon, Startup Coffee Meetups create space for entrepreneurs at every stage, from those exploring early ideas to experienced founders. Technical assistance providers are encouraged to attend, too. Advisors, service providers, and ecosystem partners consistently find this to be one of the simplest ways to meet startups, hear what founders are working on, and build relationships naturally.

There’s no formal agenda and no pressure. People drop in, grab a cup of coffee, and settle into conversation. Bring a friend, bring a question, or just bring curiosity, we’d love to see you.

Startup Coffee Meetups take place the second Thursday of every month at 9:00 a.m. at the Innovation Hub at 942 Olive in downtown Eugene.

Connecting employers with local talent works best when barriers are removed and access is prioritized. Bridge Lane is designed to create those conditions.

On Wednesday, February 4, Bridge Lane will bring together job seekers, students, families, and community members at the Wheeler Pavilion for a career and resource fair focused on efficient, accessible hiring connections. Collaborative EDO is invites local hiring employers to participate!

The event is structured to support strong turnout and meaningful engagement. Bridge Lane is held after work and school hours, is family-friendly, and includes free bus rides from our partners at LTD, on-site resume support, and connections to community resources that help candidates participate fully. These features help employers reach a broader and more diverse pool of job seekers.

There is no fee to participate. We handle all of the promotion, outreach, and event logistics, giving participating employers strong brand visibility and allowing them to focus on what matters most: connecting with qualified candidates. Employers may share information about open positions, entry-level roles, training-supported opportunities, and career pathways in a welcoming, low-pressure environment.

If your organization is hiring now or planning future recruitment, Bridge Lane offers a practical, no-cost opportunity to connect with local talent.

Visit the Bridge Lane website to register and learn more!