This month’s theme, Opening the Door to Innovation, speaks to the heart of Collaborative EDO’s work. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we exist to strengthen Lane County’s economy through targeted business recruitment, supporting entrepreneurs, connecting public and private partners, and helping existing businesses thrive.

Our economic development programs including Bridge Lane, Career Tours, Latino Professionals Connect, and PubTalks are made possible by investments in our communities' future. Every sponsorship and donation furthers our mission to accelerate the creation of good jobs, expand access to resources for businesses and open more doors for innovators - the building blocks of a stronger, more inclusive economy.

If you believe in this mission, I invite you to join us. Together, we can keep Oregon’s door to innovation wide open.

Thank you for your partnership and belief in this work.

A new collective impact effort is taking shape: the Southern Willamette Valley Innovation Corridor. A coalition led by the University of Oregon, Oregon State University and Oregon Business Council that brings together many regional partners including Collaborative EDO, is connecting research, industry, and community to grow an innovation-driven economy that benefits everyone.

Inspired by a private sector vision from Jordan Pape, Eric Forrest , and Greg Erwin, this effort aims to make our region even more remarkable.  The Corridor builds on our region’s strengths including world-class research universities, creative entrepreneurs, and a diverse landscape of industries from semiconductor manufacturing to athletic apparel.



This work is central to CEDO’s mission. Lane County’s wage gap has widened steadily since the 1980s, leaving our community relatively poorer compared to the rest of Oregon and the nation. That growing disparity affects local housing affordability, education access, and the overall cost of living for working families.

By aligning higher education, workforce, and industry around innovation, the Southern Willamette Valley Innovation Corridor represents a regional strategy to reverse that trend; creating more opportunities for residents to move into higher-wage occupations and strengthening the foundation of our local economy for decades to come.

Innovation doesn’t happen behind closed doors, it starts when people connect. That is the spirit behind the Cascades West Innovation Hub, a regional initiative designed to provide technical assistance, access to capital, networking, mentorship, and talent connection to innovation-based entrepreneurs statewide. Collaborative EDO has been named the official Lane County Regional Lead, with Caitlin Vargas leading the effort in partnership with RAIN Catalysts with funding from Business Oregon. 

Oregon has long been a place where creativity and practicality meet. From the invention of the maraschino cherry to the modern running shoe, this state has built a legacy of innovation that stretches from its timber mills to its tech corridors. As Oregon Entrepreneur Network’s Cara Turano reminded audiences recently, Oregon’s strength lies in “community-driven innovation”; ideas born from solving real problems that matter to real people. The Cascades West Innovation Hub carries that tradition forward by creating local pathways for entrepreneurs to start, scale, and stay in Oregon.

In our community, activities through the Cascades West Innovation Hub will be at the Innovation Hub at 942 Olive in downtown Eugene, a collaborative space where entrepreneurs can connect, learn, and grow. This January, Startup Coffee returns to 942 Olive, offering a welcoming way for founders to meet, share ideas, and get involved. Before then, join the upcoming PubTalk on November 20, Tap into Capital, designed to help founders understand what funders are looking for and how to prepare for investment.

Reserve your spot here!

On October 18, students from the University of Oregon explored Lane County's innovation ecosystem during the Career Tours: Tech Edition, gaining hands-on insights into local technology companies shaping Oregon’s future.

The tour began at the Innovation Hub at 942 Olive, where industry leaders from Flint Studios, Twenty Ideas, and Open Eugene shared how collaboration drives creativity and community growth. Students then visited Pipeworks Studios to see how video games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare are made locally, and wrapped up at Tyndale Advisors, where tech meets retail innovation, with pizza and ice cream in hand.

Collaborative EDO plays a key role in connecting students with the region’s most innovative employers, highlighting the power of partnerships between education, industry, and community. By showcasing diverse tech careers and creating pathways to local opportunities, Collaborative EDO helps ensure that emerging talent can build their futures right here in Lane County, strengthening both our workforce and our community.

Oregon Biosciece Association (Oregon Bio) has officially rebranded as Oregon Life Sciences, reflecting the industry’s growth and the organization’s expanded vision for innovation across biotechnology, medical technology, digital health, diagnostics, and advanced manufacturing.

“For more than 36 years, Oregon Bio has championed innovation, talent, and investment in our region,” said Liisa Bozinovic, Executive Director of Oregon Life Sciences. “Our new name captures the full breadth of our industry and our ambition to elevate Oregon’s life sciences ecosystem to the national stage.”

With nearly 75,000 jobs and an annual economic impact of $21.2 billion, Oregon’s life sciences sector is one of the fastest-growing in the state. The rebrand marks a milestone moment as Oregon Life Sciences continues to lead efforts in advocacy, workforce development, and partnership building across the region.

🔗 Learn more at oregonlifesciences.org

Oregon Bio Women Meetup | Eugene

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (PST)

UO Knight Campus

In the Valley | Eugene

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM (PST)

UO Knight Campus