Innovating…Oregon Style

A photo of several Oregon Innovation Challenge promotional items including a notebook, stickers, and reusable bags.

The Oregon Innovation Challenge

The student-led Oregon Entrepreneurship Group and the University of Oregon’s Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship, along with cofounders Jeff Sorensen and Bob Mighell, created the Oregon Innovation Challenge (OIC) as a platform for young entrepreneurs to launch new ventures in the context of a supportive community of peers and mentors.

Open to any student regardless of major, the Oregon Innovation Challenge brings participants together throughout the academic year to work in teams on their chosen product or brand, attending workshops, mentor nights, and one-on-one meetings to refine ideas into tangible products and services.

During its first cycle, some 202 entries vied for awards with 16 student teams receiving $125,000 in funding.

An illustration of two hands holing an open book on a green background.
An additional illustration of four coffee mugs with steam coming off the top, on a light blue background.
An additional illustration of an analog alarm clock ringing on a dark blue background.
An additional illustration of a laptop computer and three speech bubbles on a medium blue background.
An additional illustration of bags of money on a medium blue backgound.
An additional illustration of a hand holding two lightbulbs on a light blue background.

60+ majors represented.

More than 36 gallons of coffee served.

200+ individual office hours.

202 projects submitted.

$8 million+ in new funds raised for UO entrepreneurship.

16 projects funded with more than $125,000.

An illustration of two hands holing an open book on a green background.
An additional illustration of four coffee mugs with steam coming off the top, on a dark blue background.
An additional illustration of an analog alarm clock ringing on a dark blue background.
An additional illustration of a laptop computer and three speech bubbles on a medium blue background.
An additional illustration of bags of money on a medium blue backgound.
An additional illustration of a hand holding two lightbulbs on a light blue background.

60+ majors represented.

More than 36 gallons of coffee served.

200+ individual office hours.

202 projects submitted.

$8 million+ in new funds raised for UO entrepreneurship.

16 projects funded with more than $125,000.

So how did Lundquist College entrepreneurs nurture the Oregon Innovation Challenge from idea to fruition?

It was a major undertaking, but the University of Oregon delivered a premier challenge for students with quantifiable results.

An illustration of a small potted plant.
An illustration of the same potted plant that has grown.
An third illustration of the same potted plant that has grown more and sprouted lightbulbs as flowers.

Fall 2022

Jeff Sorensen and a student sitting at a table, looking at a laptop.
  • Jeff Sorensen arrives as the new director of the Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship. Before coming to Oregon, Sorensen built and led entrepreneurship and social innovation programs at the University of Michigan for the past ten years.
  • Student leadership team forms to help conceptualize, promote, and launch the first-ever Oregon Innovation Challenge.
  • Bob Mighell, a former CEO with decades of entrepreneurial experience, joins the college as OIC cofounder and entrepreneur in residence.

Winter 2023

Several students sitting at tables and writing.
  • The website, social media, and in-person promotions launch targeting all UO students.
  • Application deadline arrives with more than 200 submissions received!
  • First workshop: goal-setting and envisioning.
  • Over 120 office-hour sessions with Bob Mighell!
  • Mentor Nights helps students with entrepreneurial guidance.
  • Second workshop: strategic leadership and presentation with former Patagonia CEO Michael Crooke.
  • Third workshop: Bob Mighell and student leader Mia Lopez discuss pitching and storytelling.

Spring 2023

One student standing and presenting to one audience member.
  • Pitch coaching and executive summary coaching.
  • Practice pitches and panel feedback.
  • Final pitches!
  • 16 teams and projects selected for funding.
  • Eight-week fellowship program in May and June.
  • Members of the Oregon Innovation Challenge showcase their projects and present to an audience.

16 student teams rose to the top.

Adam’s Brick Shop

Adam Turner
A shop made to 3D print custom parts that can attach to LEGO Minifigures.

ChangeFinder

Ian Winbrock
An AI technology platform designed to assist in writing and editing grants.

Feral Foods 

Bretten Farrell
A premium freeze-dried foods company with high-quality meals that fit the consumer’s taste and dietary restrictions.

Fig and Bean Bakery  

Finn Mifsud
A bakery that makes organic, gluten-free, and vegan food.

Fugitive Worldwide 

Julian Yue
An anti-corporate skateboarding-based clothing brand with a wide range of apparel.

GROW Supplements 

Malcolm Karow
A pre-workout supplement brand that aims to give people a safer and healthier option.

Hydroject 

Justin Svendsen
A polymer that degrades when bacteria is present, working best with antibiotic delivery and aiding with antibiotic resistance.

LoveHate Athletica  

Jensen Barnes
A fashionable and functional athletic apparel brand aiming to provide comfortable clothing options.

Mandarina 

Tamara Alarcon Basurto
A stylish and functional storage solution that keeps foods fresher, longer.

Oryzi  

Cass Gonzalez
A startup that uses mushroom fibers to create paper products.

Seedlink   

Camille Shelton and Isabelle Shilakes
An app for student entrepreneurs to connect people with skill sets their ventures require.

SPASMFINGERS    

Nicholas Sogge
A brand that makes quality butterfly knives and butterfly knife accessories.

Try Wine     

Alex Hess and Colton Boeckman
A wine sampling kit that allows consumers to try different wine products in a box using special technology to prevent oxidization.

VANA 

Ivana Kundai Kapurura
A sustainable brand reusing textiles that might have otherwise been thrown away.

Viziwize  

Jared Cassoutt and Preston Scheidt
A presentation and 3D modeling platform which uses AI to streamline the creation process.

Wild Pacific Foods   

Laughton Elliott-DeAngelis
A ship-to-sales program that allows smaller fishing companies in Alaska to sell their fish directly to the consumer.

16 student teams rose to the top.

Adam’s Brick Shop

Adam Turner
A shop made to 3D print custom parts that can attach to LEGO Minifigures.

ChangeFinder

Ian Winbrock
An AI technology platform designed to assist in writing and editing grants.

Feral Foods 

Bretten Farrell
A premium freeze-dried foods company with high-quality meals that fit the consumer’s taste and dietary restrictions.

Fig and Bean Bakery  

Finn Mifsud
A bakery that makes organic, gluten-free, and vegan food.

Fugitive Worldwide 

Julian Yue
An anti-corporate skateboarding-based clothing brand with a wide range of apparel.

GROW Supplements 

Malcolm Karow
A pre-workout supplement brand that aims to give people a safer and healthier option.

Hydroject 

Justin Svendsen
A polymer that degrades when bacteria is present, working best with antibiotic delivery and aiding with antibiotic resistance.

LoveHate Athletica  

Jensen Barnes
A fashionable and functional athletic apparel brand aiming to provide comfortable clothing options.

Mandarina 

Tamara Alarcon Basurto
A stylish and functional storage solution that keeps foods fresher, longer.

Oryzi  

Cass Gonzalez
A startup that uses mushroom fibers to create paper products.

Seedlink   

Camille Shelton and Isabelle Shilakes
An app for student entrepreneurs to connect people with skill sets their ventures require.

SPASMFINGERS    

Nicholas Sogge
A brand that makes quality butterfly knives and butterfly knife accessories.

Try Wine     

Alex Hess and Colton Boeckman
A wine sampling kit that allows consumers to try different wine products in a box using special technology to prevent oxidization.

VANA 

Ivana Kundai Kapurura
A sustainable brand reusing textiles that might have otherwise been thrown away.

Viziwize  

Jared Cassoutt and Preston Scheidt
A presentation and 3D modeling platform which uses AI to streamline the creation process.

Wild Pacific Foods   

Laughton Elliott-DeAngelis
A ship-to-sales program that allows smaller fishing companies in Alaska to sell their fish directly to the consumer.

Four students sitting outside on benches, working on laptops.
Four students sitting outside on benches, working on laptops, with an added blue overlay.
A close-up of one student leaning towards and talking to another student.
A close-up of one student leaning towards and talking to another student, with an added green overlay.
Three students sitting across from each other at a table, talking.
Three students sitting across from each other at a table, talking, with an added blue overlay.
Five students and Jeff Sorensen standing, looking at the camera, with their hands in the shape of an O.
Five students and Jeff Sorensen standing, looking at the camera, with their hands in the shape of an O.

Building on Success

Now moving into its second year, the Oregon Innovation Challenge has proven itself to be worthy of emulation.

“While most universities focus on incremental growth, Oregon is ready to imagine possibilities for transformational change,” Sorensen said.

The new model for advancing student startups at the UO is being reproduced throughout the university, benefiting the college, region, and beyond.

Said Sorensen, “It is within our reach for Eugene to become a top destination for aspiring innovators, and for the University of Oregon to establish itself as one of the absolute best schools for entrepreneurship. This first year has built momentum, and our vision is much bigger than anything we’ve done yet.

“We’re just getting started, and I hope you’ll join us.”

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