We Support the People Behind the Companies

It started with a statement:

“Oregon is to consumer goods what the Bay Area is to technology — a vital center of opportunity and innovation.”

That statement moved Built Oregon towards an idea about what Oregon is from an industry and economic development perspective. What is this state’s competitive advantage when it comes to business.

And what we discovered is that Oregon has always been, and continues to be, a beacon for those looking to launch new product companies because of the collaborative opportunities, the ready access to experienced talent, and the large number of established companies that have paved the way and created a foundation upon which to grow. It is in essence a vital center of opportunity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

But beyond the business aspects, our unique state is home to natural areas and resources that allow for the testing of gear, bountiful harvests that create amazing food and beverage brands, and a consumer base built around the idea of community.

And over the years, much of that initial hypothesis continues to prove itself out and as an organization we have continued to provide programs and opportunities that engage and support the people behind the companies in order to drive a more human and empathetic led consumer product innovation and entrepreneurship future.

Board of Directors & Leadership

  • Dawn Moothart - Board Chair

    Founder of Portland Apparel Lab, Technical Designer & Patternmaker at Wildfang

  • Michelle Wald - Vice Chair

    Business Strategy Consultant

  • Scott Davidson - Secretary

    Partner at White Summers Caffee & James, LLP

  • Aline Orozco - Treasurer

    Senior Accountant at Hacienda CDC

  • Stephen Green - Strategic Planning & Black Community Work

    Founder -PitchBlack, Executive Director at Business for a Better Portland

  • Noelle Lopez - Bridges Chair

    Founder of The Elle Factor

  • Karmen Olson - Accelerator Program Chair

    Founder of XOKO Food & Beverage Strategy

  • Jason Bolt - Mentor Network & Engagement

    Founder/CEO of Revant Optics

  • Shauna Noah - Bridges Program Coordinator

    Director of Portland Dining Month

  • Mitch Daugherty - Board Member

    Cofounder & Director of Built Oregon

  • Rick Turoczy - Interim Director

    Cofounder & General Manager of PIE (Portland Incubator Experiment)

The Built Oregon Manifesto

At Built Oregon, we believe that the prevailing startup mythology of success — one trumpeted through pitch decks, competitions, financing, and a fail fast mentality — has eroded the actual humanity of entrepreneurship. We believe that a business’ success is based on more than data points, strategic plans, or money raised. And we are resolute in our stance that building trust and empathy with one another will always have a far more significant and lasting impact than simply writing a check.

Built Oregon’s North Star will always be the people behind the products, the places that mold who they are, and the stories that connect us as human beings.

We believe in building an inclusive and empathetic ecosystem that leverages Oregon’s deep legacy of product craftsmanship and innovation — one that is built upon an independent spirit, humility, collaboration, and world-class knowledge — to create broad-based opportunities for entrepreneurs in consumer products and for the people their companies employ.

We believe these opportunities can help create industry-leading companies and sustainable businesses that provide consistent living-wage jobs. And we believe that those jobs have the potential to lift up people, communities, and the entire state of Oregon.

Creating these opportunities, however, comes at a price. The mental health toll that weighs upon each business leader. The emotional strain of navigating ever changing dynamics of the free market. The inequitable aspects and systemic barriers that so many founders continue to face. Not to mention, the constant pressure to provide for loved ones, support employees, and strengthen communities.

It is for those reasons that we will never waiver from our North Star.

To do this work by leading with empathy.

To build a stronger Oregon through trust and relationships.

To never stop putting people first.