Igniting innovation across Oregon's Mid-Willamette Valley.
Launch Mid-Valley, the Mid-Willamette Valley Innovation Hub, with funding from Business Oregon, fosters an innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem where local businesses can connect with investors, mentors, and industry leaders in Marion County, Polk County, and Yamhill County.
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💡 Join Us for Indy Hub Talk This Week – Funding Your Business Just Got Easier!
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Dreaming big but need the funds to match? We've got you covered!
Join us for Indy Hub Talk: How to Fund Your Business this Thursday, March 13, at 4:30 PM at Indy Commons in Independence.
🎤 What’s in store?
- 💰 Funding strategies from a panel of local experts
- 🔑 Insider resources to elevate your business
- 🤝 Networking with fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, and funding pros
Meet Our Panelists:
- Jeff Hilderbrand – Loan Program Manager at Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments, with decades of experience navigating commercial and government loans.
- Lacey Blair – Independence Branch Manager at Umpqua Bank, sharing insider insights on how banks assess small business funding requests.
- Lynn Meyer – Director of Lending at Community LendingWorks, revealing how community-based lending programs operate.
Hosted by Kate Schwarzler, Executive Director of Indy Idea Hub, this event is all about connecting, learning, and taking action. Whether you’re launching a new venture or ready to scale, this is the place to be.
📍 Where: Indy Commons, 154 S Main St, Independence, OR
📅 When: March 13, 2025 | 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
🎟 Cost: FREE (but space is limited!)
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🚀 LaunchPad for Non-Techies: Build Your Own App – No Code, No Problem!
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Got a brilliant business idea but zero tech skills?
LaunchPad for Non-Techies is your fast track to building an AI-powered app—no coding required!
In this two-day virtual bootcamp (April 11–12), you'll learn practical skills to turn your ideas into reality without hiring developers.
What You’ll Gain:
- ✅ AI for Innovators: Discover how AI can streamline your business ideas
- ✅ No-Code Fundamentals: Explore top no-code platforms for apps, websites, and automation
- ✅ MVP Development: Build and test a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in record time
- ✅ Growth Insights: Learn how to scale your idea and collaborate with developers when needed
Who’s It For?
Entrepreneurs, creatives, small business owners, and side hustlers—if you have an idea, this bootcamp will help you build it.
📅 When: April 11 (2 PM – 8 PM) & April 12 (10 AM – 5 PM)
💻 Where: Virtual
🎟 Cost: Bootcamp ticket - $25; App builder starts at $300
Don’t let a lack of tech skills stop your big idea. Spots are limited—sign up now!
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Launch Mid Valley Angel Investors Workshop
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April 22 - for accredited investors only
Email malee@sacredfirecreative.com for a personal invitation.
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Traded sector, scaleable startups looking for investment are invited to email malee@sacredfirecreative.com now for consideration.
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☕ Join a Coffee Club Near You!
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We’re brewing up 10+ monthly Coffee Clubs across the region for startups, entrepreneurs, and business owners to connect, collaborate, and caffeinate.
Whether you’re launching a new idea or growing your business, these meetups provide a casual space for networking, sharing insights, and building community.
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📅 Save the Date: Oregon Startup Conference – June 20th
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Oregon’s biggest startup event is here—bigger, bolder, and packed with opportunity. On June 20th, founders will take the stage, pitching to a panel of hungry investors in a high-stakes, Shark Tank-style showdown.
Don’t just watch—network, learn, and make moves. Stay tuned for details. Mark your calendar now!
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Oregon Innovation Showcase: Where Deep Tech Meets Investment
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📅 May 19-20, 2025 | 📍 The Sentinel Hotel, Portland, OR
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Oregon’s biggest deep tech event is back! The Oregon Innovation Showcase brings together investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to highlight high-growth, innovation-driven startups and Oregon’s unique ecosystem that supports them.
💡 What to Expect:
- Top Oregon-grown companies showcasing success stories
- Emerging startups seeking funding opportunities
- Exclusive investor connections with a focus on deep tech
This event is a must-attend for anyone passionate about breakthrough innovation and economic growth in the Pacific Northwest.
Register now and be part of the future!
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SCORE Mindset: Cultivating a Business Mindset for Success
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📅 April 11, 2025 | 🕙 10:00 AM PDT | 💻 Live Online Event | 🎟 Free
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Success in business isn’t just about strategy—it’s about mindset. This interactive workshop will help you develop a growth-oriented, resilient mindset to overcome challenges, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and unlock your full potential.
Nonprofit organization SCORE offers free mentoring and education to help small businesses start, grow, and succeed. Their workshop, “SCORE Mindset: Cultivating a Business Mindset for Success,” led by leadership expert Angilie Kapoor, focuses on developing a growth-oriented outlook to overcome challenges and unlock entrepreneurial potential.
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🚀 Bring Your Business Idea to Life with CO.STARTERS Bootcamp
CO.STARTERS is a program designed to equip entrepreneurs with the tools and insights needed to turn ideas into thriving businesses, funded by Business Oregon.
This four-part Bootcamp takes place over two full days, giving participants the opportunity to collaborate with peers to strategize, problem-solve, and apply business basics to their ventures.
What You'll Gain:
- Discover: Refine your business model using customer insights
- Promote: Learn marketing strategies to connect with your audience
- Build: Develop financial tools and understand your break-even point
- Launch: Set clear goals and actionable steps for growth
Who Should Join?
- Entrepreneurs looking to refine their business idea
- Small business owners seeking fresh strategies
- Anyone eager to connect, collaborate, and learn
📍 Location: Dallas, OR
📅 Upcoming Sessions: March 20, March 27, and April 3 (One session already completed — don’t miss the remaining weeks!)
Bootcamp registration is still open.
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Fueling Big Ideas: The J.M.K. Innovation Prize is Open for Applications! 🚀
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Stay Connected with Launch Mid Valley!
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Sacred Fire Creative is honored to represent Launch Mid-Valley, the Mid-Willamette Valley Innovation Hub, as the program’s Innovation Navigator. We provide tailor-made solutions for entrepreneurs to grow, from digital marketing and brand storytelling to connecting with resources, mentorships, and communities.
Follow us on social media to connect with entrepreneurs, innovators, and resources in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties.
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