Squires Competitors

Portland State University is Oregon's urban research university located in the heart of downtown. It is ranked as one of the nation's "Top 10 Up-and-Coming" universities by U.S. News & World Report. PSU offers more than 60 undergraduate and 40 graduate programs in fine and performing arts, liberal arts and sciences, business administration, education, urban and public affairs, social work, engineering and computer science. PSU offers more than 226 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. The 50-acre downtown campus—with the motto "Let Knowledge Serve the City"—places students in a vibrant center of culture, business and technology. This allows students to participate in internships and community-based projects in these fields as well as education, social services, and government. Portland State's award-winning University Studies curriculum provides small class sizes and peer mentoring for all first-year students and culminates in Senior Capstones, which take students out of the classroom and into the field, where they utilize their knowledge and skills to develop community projects. The University has taken aggressive steps to enhance the student experience and campus life, with new student housing and a comprehensive recreation complex and remodeled science and performing arts facilities. Portland State also has bolstered academic and career advising and orientation programs and created new programs to support students. Sustainability—initiatives that balance environmental, economic and social concerns—is incorporated throughout the curriculum and across the campus.

OEN envisions a robust, diverse, and collaborative entrepreneurial economy across Oregon and SW Washington. As the largest entrepreneurial assistance organization in the region OEN strengthens Oregon and Southwest Washington’s early-stage entrepreneurs through the provision of education, guidance, connections, and financial opportunities, to impel increasing economic impact throughout the region. OEN's Core Values Everyone is invited. Committed to building an inclusive culture where entrepreneurs of all backgrounds, races, genders, geographies, and business sectors feel welcome and supported. People are the network. Connect the people building startups and launching new ideas to investors, mentors, business partners, media, followers and fans. Seek diverse talents, skills, lived experiences and perspectives to strengthen this community. Work in and on this community. Partner with founders, funders, and folks providing services who share the vision of a vibrant statewide entrepreneurial community. Take delight in this special part of the world in order to see local entrepreneurs thrive. Embrace change. Adapt ideas, the team, the board of directors and the programs to support entrepreneurship and pursue constant feedback, learning opportunities and iterations of OEN’s work. Follow our partnership podcast with Darwoft - DARE DARE on Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dare/id1710285269 DARE on Amazon podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/65bb1582-d35e-4749-bdfc-01277167195e/dare DARE on Spotify podcasts: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/darepodcast/

Business Impact NW is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) providing small business loans, free business coaching, and classes across Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. We support entrepreneurs at every stage, from early ideas to established businesses. Since 1997, we have helped small business owners access capital, build skills, and grow sustainably.