“Let everyone else call your idea crazy... just keep going. Don’t stop. Don’t even think about stopping until you get there, and don’t give much thought to where ‘there’ is. Whatever comes, just don’t stop.”
- Phil Knight
“WE WONʼT TAKE OUR FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL”
JEFF SORENSEN
Our vision is to make the University of Oregon a go-to place for entrepreneurs—present, past, and future. Our progress has exceeded my most ambitious plans when I arrived in Eugene eighteen months ago. Since then, our team has been grinding hard with few breaks. That’s the plan for the foreseeable future. The opportunity in front of us is too great—we won’t take our foot off the gas pedal. But it’s worth taking just a moment to appreciate and share some of the momentum that’s building for Oregon entrepreneurship:
Oregon student entrepreneurs are taking more shots on goal than ever before. 263 projects joined the Oregon Innovation Challenge, 80 made it to the pitches after 12 weeks and 33 are receiving funding. The quality is exceptional—in 12 years, I’ve never been more excited for a group of students than I am for this group.
Our partnership with the Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact is gaining steam. Last year, we had 4 PhD students in OIC. This year we had 22, with the majority coming from the Knight Campus. Early investments are paying off as Knight Campus students are being awarded federal funding at an exceptional rate.
Weʼre hoisting an Oregon flag in the entrepreneurial world. In addition to OIC, this year we launched the v10 Summit. In its first year, it went viral and became one of the top retreats for student entrepreneurs nationwide. Out of hundreds of applicants, 60 entrepreneurs
from 17 schools convened here with us, and multiple luminary innovators joined as mentors. “I learned more in four days at Oregon than in my entire time at UCLA so far,” one student remarked. The grass is damn green in Eugene.
Students in our programs are gaining traction with their ventures. Startups that began in OIC such as Million.js, whose founders met at the v10 Summit, raised millions from accelerators such as the Y Combinator. Other ventures with OIC origins like Amae Health just closed a $15M Series A, while Karly Bierma is going full-time on KPB Designs after graduation, and Justin Svendsen’s technology is generating interest from potential corporate partners. I could go on.
Our team is elite and growing. We’ve doubled down on hiring Entrepreneurs in Residence—adding a genuine luminary in Ann Carney Nelson, and building on the foundation set by the inimitable Bob Mighell. Keep an eye out for more hires soon.
No one has better volunteers, mentors, and speakers than us. Local entrepreneurs. Unicorn founders. Fortune 100 CEOs. Researchers building the craziest technologies you can imagine. We’ve had incredible guests and mentors throughout this year. You know who you are, and we’re grateful to have you in the flock. Thank you for everything.
This momentum is only possible because of our incredible community of supporters. We’ve raised $15M in new funds for entrepreneurship in the past 18 months, much of which includes collaborations with the Knight Campus. To each of our donors—thank you, so much. We are more grateful than we can possibly tell you, and we are going to make this count.
I hope you’ll join us. My email is easy to remember—jeff@uoregon.edu. If you’re interested in getting involved, I’d love to chat with you.
Time to get back to work. Onward!
At the University of Oregon (UO) “innovation” doesn’t begin with “i”, it begins with “OIC.” The Oregon Innovation Challenge is a thriving community for local innovators who seek the joy of collaboration, the pursuit of wisdom, and the thrill of competition all while bonding over a mutual passion for startup business. OIC came to fruition in 2023 as an organization cofounded by the UO’s Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship and the Oregon Entrepreneurship Group, and since its creation, both founders haven’t looked back.
After a wildly successful debut year that offered over $125,000 in funding, OIC’s upward trajectory was inevitable. And with a community that was gung-ho for innovative inspiration, expansions to the organization were needed for OIC Season 2. Enter Startups & Slices, a weekly speaker series for innovators hungry for wisdom and pizza. The weekly event wasn’t the only addition to OIC’s program this year as community day was also celebrated during winter term in an effort to grow awareness for the organization and bring like-minded innovators together. Although a cold day for a gathering, Community Day proved that spirited banter, a shared passion, and some coffee with donuts can make
even the grayest of Eugene days feel bright. The mentorship and workshops that defined OIC Season 1 continue to be a mainstay in the program with crowds that made students feel packed like sardines into even the largest rooms at the University of Oregon. OIC’s popularity even left dents in the office doors of center director and OIC co founder, Jeff Sorenson, and entrepreneur in residence and OIC mentor, Bob Mighell, as they worked around the clock to provide office hours to participating teams and sometimes spent as many as eight hours a day giving consultations.
While the advancements of OIC Season 2 knit the community closer together, all the work they had put in this year led up to one thing: pitch day, an opportunity to leave the program with bags of knowledge and maybe a bag of investment funds as well. This year, out of the 263 teams that entered the program, 33 teams earned funding as the organization awarded more than $175,000. OIC congratulates all members of Season 2 for a year that exceeded all expectations and left hundreds of innovators with invaluable knowledge and an experience like no other. So here’s to a year that crushed all expectations and woke up a sleeping giant of innovation in Eugene, Oregon.
Jeff Sorenson is the Director of the Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship. Along with Bob Mighell and students from Oregon Entrepreneurship Group, he cofounded the Oregon Innovation Challenge after founding a similar innovation-based community and incubator at the University of Michigan. However, subsequent to brewing a culture of entrepreneurial passion in Ann Arbor, Jeff set his sights on a new challenge and packed up his bags to revamp the way that the University of Oregon saw startup business. To say that he delivered in last year’s OIC debut would be a vast understatement, as the program became not only a staple of the business school, but an immense opportunity for design, science, and other non-business students to flex their skills. As his second season leading OIC comes to a close, the organization has continued its unstoppable upward trajectory as Jeff continues to
Mentor and lifelong innovator, Bob Mighell has been the force keeping OIC all gas and no brakes. Since 2022, Bob has served the university as an entrepreneur in residence and became a cofounder of OIC during its debut year. As an entrepreneur who has seen all the sights of startup business, Bob is happy to assist the next generation of entrepreneurs in becoming successful. Bob has done nothing short of over-delivering on this ambition as he has become an oracle for prospective innovators and has committed countless hours to mentoring OIC members and spreading his years of startup wisdom. The OIC community couldn’t be luckier to have a cofounder whose years of experience have laid the foundation for numerous startups and brought inspiration to thousands of students at the University
Walker Cullins is a sophomore business major who serves as a member of the OIC leadership team. Before taking on this role, Walker founded several marketing ventures and even took a gap year to commit to the marketing work for the cosmetic startup, Faculty World. Walker was drawn to the OIC community as he found entrepreneurs to be “some of the most interesting and creative people he’s ever met, and working with them, helping them, and inspiring them just gives [him] life.” In addition to his role at OIC, Walker works as the president of the Oregon Entrepreneurship Group, which allows him to act as a Swiss Army Knife, dabbling in the operations and planning side of OIC, while also managing to act as a liaison between the Oregon Entrepreneurship Group and our incubator. With many more years of college innovation left in his tank, we can’t wait to see the great heights
Karly Bierma is a senior majoring in business and fine arts. Bierma was a part of the Oregon Innovation Challenge last year where she helped Jeff create workshop content and presentations to help grow the OIC community. She discovered her love for entrepreneurship in her sophomore year of college. “Coming back on campus after COVID-19, there was not a community for student entrepreneurs, so a few friends and I began what is now the Oregon Entrepreneurship Group,” Bierma said. The group grew in popularity extremely fast, leading her to get involved in leadership. Soon after, she and Jeff formed a partnership combining entrepreneurship ideas to help grow OIC’s community at the University of Oregon. “I think we have created an inspiring space for students to pursue passion projects and meet like-minded individuals,” Bierma said.
Kyle Humbert is a senior University of Oregon student majoring in data science and accounting. In the Oregon Innovation Challenge Humbert is a fellow co founder and leadership member, ensuring events and meetings go off without a hitch. His interest in entrepreneurship was rooted in running his own pressure-washing business and selling sneakers growing up. With prior experience in entrepreneurship, his introduction to OIC and Jeff last year allowed him to share his passions with others. “Seeing people thrive in this environment and build projects from ideas to full businesses has been rewarding. I am proud to be a part of it and am excited about its path and where it will be in the future,” Humbert said. He hopes OIC makes a similar impact on those involved as it did him.
Malcolm Karow is a senior majoring in advertising and is a part of the leadership team for the Oregon Innovation Challenge. Last year, Karow was part of the cofounding team while participating in the program. He was selected as a funded project with his healthy pre-workout GROW supplements. Karow has been interested in entrepreneurship and startups since the beginning of his college career. “When I was a freshman, my fraternity brother, Alden Schatz, launched his first startup. This sparked my interest in entrepreneurship, so I became involved in clubs and classes as much as possible. I met many amazing people who shared my excitement, so as soon as I heard about Jeff ’s vision for OIC, I knew I had to be part of the team,”
Lauren Welch is a student on track to earn her MBA with a specialization in innovation and entrepreneurship. Inspired by her innovative-minded family, Lauren followed in their footsteps and threw her hat in the ring for OIC Season 1. However, participating in the debut competition was just the tip of the iceberg in her entrepreneurial journey as she joined the team for OIC Season 2 and sought to build on the community that they had forged in the year prior. As a member of the OIC team, Lauren has maintained the organization as a well-oiled machine and played an immense role in what has been a standout year for innovation at the University of Oregon. Entering the final year of her master’s degree in innovation and entrepreneurship, Lauren looks to continue “working with creative minds and building momentum” for OIC, because chances are, if you have an idea, she wants to hear
The connection between innovation and science at OIC is facilitated by Knight Campus Personnel, Kylie Williams. In a world where scientific expertise is often needed to bring the dreams of innovators to life, Kylie helps to pair the great minds of the Knight Campus with the aspiring innovators of the Lundquist College of Business. Although she earned her PhD in bioengineering, Kylie sought out to follow her “passion for turning scientific knowledge into societal impact,” and earned an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Academic Innovation at the University of Oregon. In the time since, Kylie has served as a linchpin at OIC, bridging the gap between innovative ideation and the science that makes it a reality. As the OIC community continues to grow, Kylie plays a crucial role in instilling a passion for entrepreneurship into science students and researchers who have untapped potential in the world of startup business.
Joining Bob Mighell in the team of experienced entrepreneurs, is passionate innovator, Ann Carney Nelson. After graduating from Stanford University in 1999, Ann has committed her career to the pursuit of bettering small businesses. She got her start in venture capital, and after rising through the ranks, served as a consultant and later COO for Inpria, an OSU-based spin-out that was recently sold for $514 million. However, after achieving these immense feats in the field of entrepreneurship, Ann sought out a greater challenge and in 2008, began teaching classes for prisoners of the Texas state prison system. Ann’s passion for spreading entrepreneurial wisdom stems from her belief that, “An entrepreneurial mindset is applicable and valuable in any career and setting and that the value and impact of
Following a premiere year that took the University of Oregon by storm, OIC Season 2 was geared to be all that and more, as new facets to the organization were revealed and innovative inspiration became plentiful.
During fall term, we hosted luminary entrepreneurs and investors for fireside chats every Thursday, open to all students. Speakers included the founders and executive leaders of companies like Patagonia, DoorDash, GoNanas, and more.
As the dream team of Season 1 graduated and took their skills across the nation, Season 2’s promising roster brought a year that redefined the way we see innovation in Eugene, Oregon. Familiar faces returned to the team such as Karly Bierma, Malcolm Karow, and Kyle Humbert plus new additions Walker Cullins and Lauren Welch, all of whom were led by founders Jeff Sorensen and Bob Mighell.
At OIC, we don’t settle for the innovations of yesterday, and thus we would be remiss not to give Season 2 a fresh set of branding. New logos, colors, and typefaces emulate the sense of community that defined the year and gave Season 2 its distinct look.
Where do the innovators of tomorrow gain their inspiration at the University of Oregon? Over a slice of pizza on a Thursday night in the Lillis Business Complex. In its debut year, Startups & Slices cemented itself as a staple of the business school, summoning lecture hall-busting crowds on an otherwise still evening on campus. Even more impressive than the popularity it garnered, were the speakers that the OIC team was lucky enough to host. Whether it be the former CEOs of Doordash or Patagonia or the countless founders redefining the startup game, entrepreneurial inspiration became a surplus at the university courtesy of OIC.
MICHAEL CROOKE EX-CEO OF PATAGONIA
MORGAN LERNER CO-FOUNDER OF GONANAS
Although the cold and rainy Oregon winter threw a curveball at the OIC team, community day was still able to prevail through the power of community and, of course, the help of a few jugs of coffee. The event took place next to the university’s student union and brought a crowd of OIC members and interested bypassers that spurred further anticipation for the Season 2 competition.
The debut of Community Day was a testament to the commitment of the OIC community as even through a wet, gray afternoon in Eugene, hundreds of hungry innovators stopped by to converse, learn about the upcoming workshops, and eat every one of the 144 donuts that were provided.
The website, newly revamped social media, and campus tablings were up and running to promote OIC Season 2 for this year’s innovators.
The OIC team was busy! The office hours were a couple of hours during the week and were always full of motivated innovators ready to ask questions and gather information for the upcoming competition.
The three Sunday brunches throughout winter term allowed teams to collaborate with other innovators within OIC. The brunches went through how innovators can achieve their goals through advice, creating connections, and building knowledge through business models..
With the time counting down, the teams got the chance to share their in-the-works prototype plans with fellow students and the UO facility. The large turnout gave the innovators ample feedback to make their product the best it could be.
Throughout the year, student innovators have worked endless hours to bring their ideas to life. The pitch is the final piece of the puzzle, showcasing their business idea in hopes of getting funding. To help the groups, the executive team offered one-on-one coaching with a seasoned entrepreneur to help them perfect their pitches.
With the competition around the corner, the students were tasked with the first draft of their business plan. All the teams worked to prepare a one-page summary and five-minute pitch. These initial pitches are given to a panel of entrepreneurs who provide feedback to the teams before their final submissions.
The hours of brainstorming, gallons of coffee, and endless collaboration all lead to this: Pitch Day. All competing teams made a request to this year’s panel asking for funding that would breathe life into their innovative ideas. Students crafted compelling pitches for their startups and succeeded in giving the judges panel one heck of a hard time choosing which teams earned funding.
Members of the Oregon Innovation Challenge came together to celebrate all they have accomplished throughout the year. Their hard work was displayed during the spring banquet, which highlights the funded teams and showcases their business ideas. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the year with the newest upcoming innovators of OIC.
A panel of seasoned innovators was assigned the task of choosing this year’s funded teams, and as all competing teams impressed the judges, the decision became all the more difficult. While 33 teams were fortunate enough to receive funding this year, all teams earned critical experience in the field of entrepreneurship while finding the joy that comes with bringing ideas to life.
MICHAEL CROOKE EX-CEO OF PATAGONIA
With pitch season in full flow, the usually scheduled programming of Startups & Slices had to take a backseat to the hours of preparation and final adjustments that teams were making ahead of the big deadline. In between preparations, students were treated to a reappearance from a familiar face and former Patagonia CEO, Michael Crooke, who gave them some final words of wisdom prior to pitch day. However, while excitement for pitch day was through the roof, OIC didn’t just conclude its program after its most important day. Instead, it provided participating teams with further inspiration from speakers such as the Papé family and Folio CEO, Catherine Huang. Whether it be their aims for OIC Season 3 or their startup’s next moves after funding, these voices left students comforted and motivated to finish up a revolutionary season of the Oregon Innovation Challenge.
by Aidan Ergun
Aidan Ergun is a second-year architecture student and the face behind the Stax Draftz brand. Stax Draftz came to life this year as a startup that assists artists in drawing straight and accurate perspective lines with the power of magnets. When drawing in two or more perspectives, it is crucial for artists to ensure that their lines are even and accurate. However, it is often difficult for the average artist to accomplish this accuracy without a steady hand and bags of artistic experience. With Stax Draftz, artists can clamp magnets to their canvas and thus expose a set of accurate guidelines for 3D art rather than simply relying on the naked eye and faith in their drawing skills.
The idea behind Stax Draftz came to Aidan as he was drafting a new piece of 3D art. After asking himself if he could simplify the process, he began crafting prototypes starting initially with a wooden design, before finally settling on a metal, magnetic structure.
Across his year participating in the OIC community, Aidan was able to announce Stax Draftz to the public, garner a plethora of interest from art students around campus, and gain the funding he needed to launch his idea. With his eyes set on the future, Aidan aims to bring Stax Draftz to shelves around campus in the next few months and change perspectives on drawing in a 3D perspective.
The community aspect of OIC played a massive role in Stax Draftz’s origins as Aidan valued the power of collaboration stating that, “The connections I made through the OIC propelled my project to the next level throughout these last four months.” Stax Draftz serves as a testament to the effect that an innovative community has on a startup business as Aidan felt a continuous sense of motivation that was fueled by the hundreds of other ambitious entrepreneurs that surrounded him in OIC.
Headed by CEO, Craig Chisholm, CMO, Mel Ritter, project coordinator, Isaac Dubey, CFO, Jacob Ansari, and Business Advisor, Jonathan Evans, Common Studios aims to fill the gap between a company’s creative needs and the college creatives that have to skills to make those needs a reality. The team of second-and-third-year students appropriately includes members with diverse academic backgrounds in sports business, marketing, and sportscasting. This team diversity ultimately allowed them to create Common Studios with the perspectives of creatives who can voice the interests of their target audience as well as business-minded perspectives that hold the interests of their startup.
The moment that sparked the idea behind Common Studios came about during a class film project in which the founders of Common Studios felt that their final work didn’t meet their standards due to a lack of quality equipment, support systems, and creative expertise. However, where they found shortcomings in their film project, they also saw potential for a startup business as the groundwork for Common Studios was laid down in April of 2023.
In the time since, Common Studios has broken ground by acquiring a physical location for their startup, registering as an LLC, and earning funding from their participation in the OIC Season 2 incubator. Looking to the future, Common Studios is looking to recruit a team of 200+ creatives and move that team’s impact beyond Eugene to suit the creative needs of businesses in college towns across America. With a team that held such a diverse group of founders, the connections that the OIC community provided were invaluable to Common Studios as mentorship opportunities and collaboration amongst OIC members weren’t only fruitful, but encouraged. Members of the Common Studios team credited OIC for “Connecting us to several tremendously knowledgeable and supportive mentors who have worked with us outside of OIC.” The Common Studios team practically lived in Jeff and Bob’s office all year, as they took in advice like a sponge absorbs water. With a team of founders, this hungry, Common Studios role in creative industries will inevitably be game-changing.
Kylie Williams is the first BioPHD student on Knight Campus to complete the entrepreneurship and innovation specialization through the Lundquist College. Alongside this fantastic achievement, the Oregon Innovation Challenge allowed her to further develop her startup, Penderia Technologies Inc. Within the medical sphere, 1 in 3 patients who fracture their femur around the knee experience postoperative complications. Most of these complications require a second surgery, which costs over $74,000 in repair. The inconvenience to the patient and the high price tag aren’t even the worst parts. Most people leave permanently disabled after this second surgery. Penerdia Technologies was founded on the Knight Campus by Dr. Robert Guldberg, Dr. Salil Karipott, and Dr. Ghee Ong. With these foundations, Kylie develops implantable sensors to help detect complications before a second surgery is needed. It can also help with postoperative recovery to get people back to their daily lives quicker.
Over the past year, Penderia Technologies Inc. has made significant strides in its prod-
uct development and market research. Led by Kylie, the team has conducted in-depth interviews with orthopedic trauma surgeons, revealing a clear need for Penderia Technologies Inc. in the medical technology space. They have also acquired the necessary components for full-scale prototyping and testing, and have hired a CEO with a proven track record in successful medtech startups. These achievements, coupled with Kylie’s ambition to secure a small business innovation grant and submit a patent within the next six months, demonstrate the company’s potential and commitment to innovation in the orthopedic market.
Kylie has immense knowledge with her PhD in biology. She has added another notch to her belt with the title of entrepreneur. She credited the Oregon Innovation Challenge for having a contagious environment that energized her to pursue her goals and feel seen among the other teams. Kylie found that “the teams and events were exactly what I needed to spark motivation and focus to turn knowledge into impact.”
by Sebastian Morse
Although only just having begun his time at the University of Oregon, Odd Jobs Connect founder, and first-year student, Sebastian Morse has bags of experience under his belt. Odd Jobs Connect began during the COVID-19 pandemic when Sebastian found himself not just thriving with the contractor jobs he’d perform around his neighborhood, but rather quite overwhelmed. While Sebastian was unable to keep up with this influx of business on his own, he found that he could source work from other freelance contractors and charge a 20% management fee to participating customers for finding
the labor. This thought slowly snowballed in Sebastian’s Portland neighborhood as he eventually amassed a team of contractors and decided to take his business to the next level by joining the OIC community.
While Sebastian was fortunate enough to receive funding at the conclusion of the OIC Season 2 incubator, the steps that Odd Jobs Connect took over the course of the year proved to be even more valuable. Across this year alone, Sebastian’s team grew to over 60 contractors as he reached a massive milestone, earning over $250,000 in operating revenue. Looking to the future, Sebastian only sees expansion on the horizon as Odd Jobs Connect looks to bring its services to other cities in the Pacific Northwest and make finding a contractor as easy as tapping a button.
With college being such a massive transition for first-year students, Sebastian found that OIC was the fire that kept his passion for startup business burning. He found the OIC community’s “genuine support, constructive feedback, and insightful suggestions invaluable. [And] without their guidance, [he] wouldn’t have been able to take Odd Jobs Connect to the next level. With many years ahead of him at UO, expect to see Sebastian’s Odd Jobs Connect as the go-to source for contracting work around Eugene, and remember that if any odd jobs come up in your neighborhood, you know who to call.
Mason Ferré and Gabe Kaufman are both third-year business students and took on a new challenge this year as the co founders of their startup, Beer Me. While the world’s favorite beverage is freeing in a multitude of ways, Mason and Gabe saw that their hands were often inhibited by the tasty drinks that they often found themselves holding. Enter Beer Me: an innovation in apparel that allows its wearer to hold their drink without the need for two hands. The signature Beer Me sweater offers a pouch fit for a 12-ounce can that holds your beverage like a mother kangaroo holds her baby. Instead of placing your faith in the hope that nobody drinks that beer you left on the coffee table, place your faith in the Beer Me sweatshirt.
During the course of this year, Beer Me has immense promise as they prepare for its debut release. With a finalized product and over 50 pre-orders submitted, UO students have eaten up the idea and drummed up excitement that can be heard across campus.
However, this revelation in beverage consumption hasn’t just been made a Eugene exclusive as our neighbors at Oregon State University will also be lucky enough to have the opportunity to partake in Beer Me’s debut drop. Looking to the future, Mason and Gabe only look to have their product spread like wildfire across college campuses and revolutionize the way that we hold our drinks.
Although Mason and Gabe had prior entrepreneurial and business knowledge through their times at the Lundquist College of Business, they credit their successes to the tight-knit community of innovators that OIC provides. The ability to interact and collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs played an integral part in Beer Me’s growth this year as Mason and Gabe “Loved the creativity and feedback everyone provided and wouldn’t be this far in entrepreneurship without OIC!”
Eugene native Joe Wheeler, a PhD candidate in planning, public policy, and management, is a policy enthusiast and a passionate writer, recorder, and rapper. His startup, The World of Rap, is not just a TV show but a passion project aiming to illuminate diverse cultures through the vibrant lens of rap. In these times of disconnection, Joe sincerely desires to use this show as a unifying force while imparting new knowledge. Each episode of the show is a journey to a different country or region, delving into its unique history and culture.
The idea behind The World of Rap has been in Joe’s head for several years. Before starting his PhD, he was visiting friends in Croatia and had free time to spare. Right then, he made his pilot episode in the Balkans. The quest continued around the world. He filmed more pilot episodes in Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo, and Albania, to name a few spots. From the camera to the movie screen, Joe premiered his pilot episode, which had a sold-out show. He continues to send three-minute trailers to several production houses, hoping for more opportunities and resources. Looking ahead, The World of Rap is looking to make more episodes to create a continued following and show people how deep the roots of rap go within history and the world.
Joe’s experience of getting out in the world and producing his idea is a triumphant feat. Coming into OIC season 2, The World of Rap startup has reenergized itself to create more shows and stories. Joe highlighted, “My OIC experience has been phenomenally energizing. Jeff and Bob believe in people’s dreams. It feels amazing to be a part of that. Shout out to Lauren for encouraging me to apply!” Oregon Innovation Challenge gave Joe the tools to inspire him to continue filming and that his idea deserves to be on the movie screen.
Alchemy Coating Technologies is a science-centered startup founded by PhD student, Alex Rosen. Whether we like to acknowledge it or not, the raincoats, non-stick pans, and plastic straws and cups that we utilize on an almost daily basis emit a plethora of chemicals into our Earth as well as our bodies. Not even those who turn a blind eye to the environment are spared from these chemicals as recent studies have found them contaminating both Earth’s rainwater as well as our blood. Through his studies at the University of Oregon with the Darren Johnson Lab, Alex created a substitute for these chemicals that are eco-friendly, inexpensive, and far more effective. He tested this substitute appropriately on a flashy pair of Nike sneakers and found that all of his research didn’t just create a working product, but rather a product that “worked beautifully.”
Alex has helped Alchemy Coating Technologies progress quickly throughout the year as he established a patent for his revolutionary work and piqued the interest of Oregon favorite, Columbia Sportswear and Cleanmark Paper Printing for initial collaborations. And if those
achievements weren’t enough for Alchemy Coating Technologies’ first year, Alex also sent multiple sample products to outer space through a collaborative effort with NASA. With 2024 nearing the midway point of the year, Alex only seeks to improve upon these feats and submit and receive an STTR phase one grant from NASA and other government-funded agencies that can utilize his product.
While proving a mastery not only in the field of science but also as an innovator, Alex found that surrounding himself in a community of entrepreneurial-minded students and mentors helped provide him with business-related skills and strategies that were once unfamiliar to him. Alex stated that his participation in OIC Season 2, “has been instrumental in training my pitching skills, and helped connect me to lots of interested parties who have expanded the ideas for potential applications of this product.” With a product that’s already reached outer space, the practical skills that Alex has learned from OIC will inevitably take his startup to unseen heights.
by Lyla Paru
Lyla Paru has always had the power to find gold at thrift stores and be the go-to person for game-day outfit advice. These superpowers ignited the idea for her startup, Lids by Ly, where she gets to share her love of gameday gear with the world. The idea for Lids by Ly began last summer when she was inspired to bring back old lifeguard hats during her time at the pool. While returning to school mode, Lyla knew that college game days would become a booming market for people to get collegiate gear with unique designs that merge school pride and personal style. So, instead of buying a other hats, strut your stuff in a Lids by Ly hat.
Lyla’s first launch at the University of Oregon was met with overwhelming excitement from students across campus. The word of her launch resulted in selling over 400
hats, earning her over $10,000 in revenue. With the increase in success, she is looking to launch her products to other universities, starting with the University of Arizona this month. After the OIC forum, Lyla got the opportunity to receive funding to help take Lids by Lyla to campuses across the country. In the future, she hopes to launch her product on three more campuses and offer multiple product variations to consumers.
Although Lyla is only a sophomore, she has accomplished many feats while developing Lids Ly and has continued to build her products. She found that OIC was helpful in her personal and business development. She shared, “Learning how to build a pitch deck, connect with other entrepreneurs, and think logistically about future plans have been the three most important skills she has learned throughout this experience.”
approaching expect to see Flight Crew promotions around campus that get you pumped up for our female athletics.
Third-year students Emma Leland, Julia Rood, and Sami Curran are the names behind Eugene’s largest supporters of female athletes, Flight Crew. They aim to bridge the gap between fans and players by promoting engagement between female athletes at UO and the thousands of fans who support them. In order to accomplish this goal, Flight Crew plans to create social media promotions and organize various events throughout the year that get Eugene excited about women’s sports. With the 2024/25 athletic year
With founders who were head over heels for women’s sports, it was inevitable that their startup would aim to support a consumer base that they felt so close to. The idea that sparked Flight Crew’s creation came to Emma and Julia as they sought a way to increase the small sum of media outlets that engaged with women’s sports. In sports that lack a well-deserved share of media attention, Flight Crew aims to increase coverage by taking matters into their own hands and spreading the great feats of our women’s sports teams in a way that resonates with a collegiate audience. In the span of just a year, Flight Crew has moved closer to achieving this goal as they secured a crucial partnership with the UO Athletics Department, successfully hosting 6 events and growing their social following. With progress like that, it’s impossible not to imagine Flight Crew bringing the hype to women’s sports across campus next year.
The OIC community uplifted Emma, Julia, and Sami who felt that OIC was crucial to the development of their startup’s focus. With a team seeking out a more targeted and efficient approach to their operations, Emma, Julia, and Sami felt that OIC “helped us do just that and really clarify what we wanted to stand for.” With a clear direction and a team of motivated innovators, the sky is far from the limit for this duck-uplifting startup.
Valerie Brogdan, Jeff Garman, Kurt Langworthy, and Steve Weimholt are the scientists behind Noble Dome. Their startup was created in an effort to discover a way that allowed scientific samples to be removed as well as placed within the vacuum chamber of an electron microscope without being exposed to air. Specifically, Noble Dome sees their product as being most useful to those looking to study or perform material science-related tests on battery materials. To accomplish this desired result, Noble Dome was specifically constructed as a bubble-like sphere full of argon that allowed its user to unload and manipulate materials in a vacuum chamber without any risk of air botching the sample.
The idea behind Noble Dome came to light as Valerie, Jeff, Kurt, and Steve were tasked with taking electron microscope images on air-sensitive samples. While prior technologies existed to make this possible, Noble Dome aimed to make a substitute that was both affordable and efficient as current solutions cost laboratories as much as $50,000. Given Noble Dome filled an
immense gap in such a niche market, they have already made monstrous steps in growing their startup as this year they were accepted into the National Science Foundation’s iCorps, submitted a patent application, and had abstracts accepted by three science conferences. With such a quick and steady beginning to their startup, Noble Dome only hopes to pitch their product to more science conferences and gain further recognition, and of course a few sales for their scientific innovation.
As a team that was so closely focused on the field of chemistry, OIC was able to provide Noble Dome with startup expertise that took their startup to the next level. Specifically, the Noble Dome team found that “The feedback [they] got on [their] pitch deck was really helpful”, and that they “learned a lot about how to calculate market size and demonstrate value propositions.” With a touch of business expertise to pair with their scientific genius, nothing stands in the way of success for the Noble Dome team.
Jerry Gaspar is a fourth-year finance student and the founder of Tommorowz Business Leaders. His startup aims to bring more in-depth business and finance teachings to students in underserved communities. Jerry found inspiration in his upbringing to create Tommorowz Business Leaders as he faced a multitude of obstacles on his path to a college degree that he wished his prior education better prepared him for. To combat this issue, Jerry founded Tommorowz Business Leaders in an effort to supply these communities with workshops that cover topics ranging from financial literacy and college exploration to business etiquette and introductory business lessons.
Jerry felt an initial attraction to the OIC community as he “wanted to be around entrepreneurs’’, but after a year of participation, he “Now [is] starting to feel like one [himself].” The community of innovators that Jerry surrounded himself with played an essential role in the success of Tommorowz Business Leaders as Jerry
by Jerry Gaspar
was able to earn funding thanks to the continuous support of the young entrepreneurs that he’d connected and collaborated with. Looking toward the future, Jerry is aiming to take immense steps in the growth of Tomorrowz Business Leaders by filing for non-profit status through the 501(c)(3) form and organizing a program and workshop schedule with participating schools that could be executed during the upcoming school year.
Although Jerry broke ground by introducing one of the first non-profits to compete in an OIC incubator, he refused to stop there and found himself working around the clock to achieve his startup’s mission. With a startup that aims to make a difference in such a powerful manner, it’s impossible not to root for the success of Tommorowz Business Leaders. As long as Jerry is at the helm, success is seemingly inevitable for a founder whose origins tie so closely to the goal of his business.
by Nathaniel Chea and Tevy Chea
Nathaniel and Tevy Chea are recent University of Oregon Alumni and founders of the hard-hitting startup Evostrike. When fighters train for an upcoming fight, they consistently train with a high intensity. The issue is that most gloves new fighters wear are not durable, so even before the match, the gloves are worn out, resulting in frequent injuries. Evostike looks to change this cycle by producing gloves that give support, comfort, and durable protection so the fighters can continue training consistently without wear and tear. The worn-down gloves come from personal experience with Nathaniel as a former fighter. With his last fight ending in a loss, he shares that if he hadn’t injured his knuckles and wrists before the fight, he would’ve been in better condition to perhaps get a different outcome in the ring. He hopes other fighters will get the chance to have higher quality equipment than he had.
The support and construction of a glove are critical to a long-lasting result that gives
the fighter a level playing field. Evostrike has been busy constructing functional padding for its branding goals while also getting the final prototype validated and ready to be shown to manufacturers. Along with getting the product ready, a known gym with quality fighters is interested in supplying Evostrik’s gloves. As traction is picking up, Nathaniel and Tevy have a supplying deal in the works for Portland Thai boxing. They are currently in contact with a manufacturer and will send a sample soon. These next steps will allow a seamless transition into the boxing glove market.
Evostrike hopes to be a brand that allows underserved fighters to become their best. From this last year in OIC season 2, both Nathaniel and Tevy feel that “Being a part of OIC has allowed more doors of opportunities and resources, which gives their venture a chance to serve our most underserved fighters here in the USA and has expanded to our home countries, Indonesia and Cambodia.”
Jackson Feist is a third-year business student at the University of Oregon. He founded Man Hunt, a mobile app that facilitates location tracking between long distances so you and your friends can play tag games for more extended periods. Jackson found inspiration from playing games with his friends in high school. He made a game where continually looking over your shoulder is precisely the feeling you should have. Since everyone is consumed with social media and their phones, this game of tag allows people to get outside and stay social.
Inside the OIC incubator, Jackson turned his idea into a developed app that works for its players. His app has received over 400 downloads and has had nothing but positivity from its participants. This creation of Jackson’s has ignited his interest in software development, which he hopes to continue into his post-graduate career. With OIC’s help
with funding, he hopes to get more awareness of his app and the overall game of tag. A college campus is perfect for spreading the word and chasing after your friends. Looking toward the future, he hopes to bring in $50 of revenue from app purchases and continue building games within the app.
The idea of Man Hunt has come to fruition through the support of the OIC community. Jackson didn’t have much direction for his startup; it was merely an exciting idea. With the support of the mentors and other teams, Jackson felt that OIC “guided and motivated him to work on Man Hunt. There is no doubt in my mind that it wouldn’t be where it is today if I had never joined OIC.” With exciting feedback and a developed app, Jackson is ready to push his game to the top of the podium.
by Alexa Haenel
Alexa Haenel is a second-year product design major with a soft spot for jewelry design. Her startup, LA Links Permanent Jewelry, aims to ease the frustration and unreliability of traditional jewelry clasps and the issue of accessibility that current permanent jewelry faces. Permanent jewelry became popular a couple of years ago due to people wanting a piece that is simple and always with them. Alexa looks to continue this excitement and sentiment by allowing her consumers to schedule an event or see LA Links at a Pop-up around town. Don’t have the time to come to the Pop-up? No worries. LA Links also offers take-home kits to make permanent jewelry in the comfort of your home.
Alexa’s thought process behind LA Works started when her mom lost a unique necklace she had since she was a kid. The necklace was never found, and she lost a family heirloom that was sentimental to her. Alexa then went down
the spiral of jewelry clasp research and found different ways to make jewelry more stress-free. Permanent jewelry, being one that doesn’t have clasps and has the chance of falling off, Alexa knew this was the route she wanted to take.
Early into this venture, LA Works is in the second consecutive month of earning 5K in revenue while becoming a well-known brand for people in the local area and beyond. There have been people driving over 100 miles to do events and collaborations! With a high demand going into 2025, Alexa wants to have her at-home kits sold in stores and online to reach a larger audience and gain more exposure as a brand.
LA Works Permanent Jewelry has developed tremendously throughout this year in OIC season 2. Alexa shares, “OIC is a place to surround yourself with other like-minded individuals who have goals and ambitions as big as my own.”
by Stella Rabb
Hailing from Pendelton, Oregon, Stella Rabb is a first-year business student at the University of Oregon. Although just starting her undergrad journey, she is a go-getter ready to hit the ground running. She is currently a part of the Oregon Entrepeanship Group and the Oregon Real Estate Investment Group while participating in the OIC season 2 competition this year. She leads with passion and drive when crafting her startup, STARO: an adult onesie company geared toward college game day pride. The original spark for this idea started when she was looking for a prideful duck onesie to wear to her first-year college gamedays. Onesies already on the market either did not fit correctly or had a basic design. Stella hopes to start with a slim-fit style onesie that will appeal to college students who want one that is form-fitting and shows school pride.
With endless pride for the Oregon Ducks, Stella has chosen her first launch of STARO to
be called “The Duckling.” A simple, yellow duck onesie that fits true to size that all college students will love. While participating in OIC, Stella found a manufacturing company and received the first samples of her “Duckling” onesies. Students have been buzzing about the upcoming launch of STARO, especially since fraternity and sorority life on campus is her target market. With Stella’s mind looking toward the future, she wants to finalize product sizing and complete her first bulk order sales.
The immense passion that every group displayed during OIC season 2 played a significant role in Stella’s experience, stating, “I came in with a dumb idea and wholeheartedly pursued it because of OIC.” OIC’s motto is correct: “No idea is a dumb idea,” and thinking big allows your ideas to turn into impact. Stella has a bright future ahead, solving gameday fashion one onesie at a time.
This new experience starts with the Layerdoll dress-up kit that allows children to create their outfits. Kids can let their imaginations roam freely with multiple design combinations while trading and sharing Layerdoll outfits with friends.
by Anissa Benabbas
Anissa Benabbas is a PhD student in the Institute of Molecular Biology at the University of Oregon. Although having her day-to-day be about science, Anissa has always liked to be drawn to art and being creative. Alongside her team, Simon Luposchiansky and Liza Benabbas have developed their startup, Floating Fables. The floating fables brand wants to reinvent the classic paper dolls into a more imaginative and social play experience.
Founding Fables was formed due to Anissa’s love for creativity and the fact that fashion is one of the best ways to share self-expression. Anissa didn’t have the financial means to express herself fully through clothing as a child, and she knows there are children out there with stories similar to hers. The Layerdolls provide an opportunity to empower girls to express themselves through a doll that embodies a bit of who they are or want to be. Throughout her OIC journey, Founding Fables has become an upcoming brand within the toy industry. Annisa and her team have established a relationship with a manufacturer, created a prototype, and tested their product with kids. With initial steps and feedback taken, the Floating Fables team is looking to start selling the Layerdolls soon.
Throughout OIC season 2, the Floating Fables team shares the inspiration that working alongside the other teams has been a one-of-a-kind experience. Anissa shares,” It’s been so inspiring seeing all the other OIC startup ideas develop and become compelling ventures. I’m excited to join this burgeoning community of entrepreneurs.” Playing dress up will never be the same with Floating Fables strutting onto the runway.
by Thomas Bowers
From Endina, Minnesota, Thomas Bowers is a sophomore in the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon. His startup, Above Clothing, looks to spread the message of seizing opportunities through one piece of clothing at a time. Each collection promotes positivity while telling a story that appeals to a younger generation in a way they will relate to. Wearing clothing that conveys a message personal to the model is not found every day.
The inspiration for Above was rooted at age 14 when his dad was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. This unexpected hardship made him feel like every day was the same cycle, waiting for the day to end and the next. This lifestyle was consuming his life. Not only himself but also his friends and family. Thomas needed to do something that meant he could impact and inspire people to live daily with a new mindset. ABOVE
was the solution. It started as a constant reminder to live life to the fullest and was quickly embraced by his community. Since then, Thomas hasn’t gone a day without making each piece of clothing meaningful and purposeful in people’s lives. The ABOVE brand has had ten drops that have all sold out while also being available in three retail store locations. Along with the spread of the business, Thomas continues to make an impact through his brand by raising over 4,000 dollars for various charities and non-profits.
Coming off of great successes, Thomas is aiming to release new products every month with consistent marketing. The impact Thomas has made not only with his startup but also with the lives of others is truly inspirational. He shares that his experience in OIC” has shown me that it is possible to take my company to the next level.”
Orion Hubbard, Chase Travis, and Ronan Keenan are the University of Oregon product design students. These three are the masterminds behind the startup Armada Studios. They started this venture to inspire personal connection by creating longevity and quality within their products. The inspiration of personal connection is conveyed through the avenue of fashion. People use style to show their personality and express themselves in ways that words can’t. All of the Armada Studios team members come from a design background that results in a creative collaboration that puts their imagination into physical form. Two years ago, the group began the idea of Armada, hoping that its products would reflect their interest in design.
Armada Studios began marketing with solid foundations to spread the word about their startup. They currently have 392,000 views, 68,000 likes, and 6,000 followers on their social media. The numbers match the interest, with two sold-out launches, and
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number three is in the works. Continuing the spread of Armada apparel, the group has made connections with five brick-and-mortar stores between Eugene and Portland. The in-person experience gives their startup a larger audience while testing their success within the fashion market. Within the next few months, Orion, Chase, and Ronan will begin manufacturing more products for the next launch while building traction and hype before releases.
With the Armada team’s premier focus on design, the OIC was able to help foster growth and share entrepreneurial knowledge that helped them “realize where we have room for growth as well as what makes us stand out. Seeing these amazing products grow alongside us has been very inspiring.” The OIC community celebrates the aspects that make teams unique while pushing them to go the distance. Look out for Armada Studios taking over your social media feed with their one-of-a-kind designs.
Although plant-based alternatives have seen their hay days in food groups such as dairy and meat, the sauces that we often find on dairy and meat products are yet to catch on to the trend with no real plant alternatives offered to vegetarian and vegan consumers. That would be until fourth-year business student, Anna Rhodehamel declared that sauces weren’t just a privilege reserved to those who consume a general diet. Her startup, Sauss aims to fill this gap by crafting a plant-based sauce that is inexpensive, tasty and “shatters the idea that vegan substitutes are boring, expensive, and lacking in flavor.”
Anna came across the idea for Sauss during the past seven years in which she has committed to a vegan diet. She immediately noticed that the sauces offered to vegan consumers were often lacking in taste, affordability, and versatility, as she countlessly found herself
disappointed by vegan alternatives. However, instead of simply giving up on the product altogether, she decided to throw her hat in the ring and begin making her own plant-based condiments from scratch. Although these condiments began as a personal touch to her cooking, she soon found that her friends enjoyed the sauce just as much as she did, opening her eyes to the potential that a market existed for her culinary innovation.
During her time in OIC, Anna has made waves with her accomplishments. In this year alone, she was able to settle on a final recipe as well as branding for Sauss, find a commercial kitchen to make her product in mass quantities, and receive a plethora of consumer feedback for her recipe. While Anna is on the cusp of graduating, she aims to earn her first b2b and b2c sales as she provides vegans and vegetarians with a much-needed twist to their usual cooking.
by Robert Rust
Robert Rust is a graduate student at the School of Music and Dance at the University of Oregon. His experience in the musical arts is the basis for his startup, RWR Records. Although people tend to gravitate toward pop, rap, or R&B music, Robert wants to spotlight classical music and reimagine people’s thoughts when they hear it. He makes soft piano music that makes people feel more calm and happy. There are also many other musicians that Robert helps to have the same effect when listening to their music. Although a soft piano may feel simple, its sounds convey a clarity that few hear.
When reflecting on this idea, Robert found some challenges in releasing classical music. The audience wasn’t as vast and didn’t pick up much traction. Soon, however, he discovered how people reacted to him by simply playing notes on the piano. People felt relaxed and listened intentionally to each note. After seeing this reaction, Jackson saw the opportunity to provide meaningful music to many people. Throughout this
year, Jackson has gotten the chance to collaborate with three other artists to strum up new versions of classical music. He then got the pleasure of being interviewed by the Foundation for the Future of Classical Music. It is an honor for up-and-coming artists within the genre to experience things paving the way for a new generation. On top of these accomplishments, Robert is looking toward the future with an upcoming recording project at the UO School of Music and Dance flute studio and soon other instrumentals. He would also like to record a solo piano EP soon.
Robert was taught to be his own brand and business as a musician. Still, he shares that his time in OIC season 2 “has given me the insight and direction I needed to start putting the pieces together, and has built an incredible network of talented entrepreneurs (peers and professionals) to learn from.”
by Jonathan Dorogin
Jonathan Dorogin is a PhD student focusing on the studies of bioengineering and biomedical engineering and is the visionary behind his startup, Affinity.Bio. Jonathan founded Affinity.Bio after his time working with an arthritis material company in 2019. During this period, he ran into troubles regarding the efficacy of his company’s drug as there was no universal time that a patient would feel the effects of the medication. To combat this issue, Jonathan dedicated a PhD project to research and seek out alternatives to the capsules and sponges that medications are usually delivered in, and in
their place create a new way to deliver medications that would deliver effects in a more consistent and timely manner.
Although this year marked a new venture for Jonathan, this was far from his first rodeo in the world of startup business as he founded his first startup, Pharmasonica in 2020. Hungry for a second business to put his name behind, Jonathan set out guns blazing into the OIC community and didn’t dare to look back. Over the year, he was able to finalize Affinity.Bio’s proof of concept and is waiting to secure a patent while also starting his first set of pre-clinical studies and landing his first collaboration with an osteoarthritis company. Jonathan looks to continue this fast-paced growth and has made it his goal to complete more pre-clinical studies while continuing to raise capital.
Jonathan was a rare case in the OIC community as one of the few students who already had years of entrepreneurial experience under his belt. Although not officially a mentor, he was always more than happy to share the wisdom he’d gained from his previous startup ventures. Despite this, Jonathan has been a testament to the power of community in the startup world as even an innovator as experienced as himself found that OIC was, “incredibly helpful with identifying markets, and keeping me focused on product and business growth.”
Moriah Biederman and Daniel Crippen are the two master’s students behind Scope 3 Solutions. The startup was created with the goal of recycling excess waste from marijuana farming and turning it into sustainable materials that can be used by the same farmers that once disposed of them. With an immense hole in the cannabis market for sustainable materials for farmers, Scope 3 Solutions has found the utmost efficient way to take advantage of the plethora of cannabis waste in the state of Oregon and turn it into a product that makes an impact. The idea behind Scope 3 Solutions came to Moriah and Daniel as they noticed that the production methods of cannabis farmers were anything but sustainable and that the waste created in the process had value. However, despite their revolutionary idea, the stigma against cannabis in America made it a challenge for Scope 3 Solutions to assemble a team and get serious attention from incubators and funders.
Amidst this battle of convincing a cannabis-negative audience how innovative their product was, Moriah and Daniel have been
able to break down barriers and gain much-deserved attention from distributors and farmers in Oregon. In this year alone, Scope 3 Solutions was able to connect with several prospective farmers, purchase 150 lbs of cannabis waste for testing, and match with a distributor who was offering to sell recycled waste for $0.30 to $.35 per pound. With a product in the works and interested clients yearning for Scope 3 Solution’s debut release, Moriah and Daniel have set their eyes on a pilot facility to manufacture their product and aim to have one leased in the next six months.
Despite creating a product that Moriah and Daniel believed would be controversial to potential investors, OIC helped to remind them that amidst their perceived controversy was an innovation that would make a true difference in the world. The OIC community didn’t think twice when uplifting Moriah and Daniel’s revolutionary idea and “helped to challenge [their] assumptions while providing critical insight into everything from team building to presenting value propositions.”
by Mitchell Baker
Mitchell Baker is a fourth-year student studying marketing at the College of Business at the University of Oregon. His startup, DRI, puts his marketing teachings to good use. Being in Oregon, it tends to rain when students walk to class or ride their bikes. Most rain gear clashes with people’s outfits and isn’t functional. Mitchell wants to get people excited to wear rain gear, not despise it.
DRI has created an easy solution: convenient take-off rain pants, catered by a zipper system, for your bike ride to school or work without sacrificing style.
The idea for DRI originated from Mitchell having to commute by bike in a rainy climate and not being satisfied with any rain pants already on the market. He then knew he had an idea of how he could make a difference in people’s commutes. Mitchell started his concept by talking with bike shops to understand what is currently on the market for raingear. He also
interviewed cyclists on the UO campus to hear what they would want out of rain gear. These initial research steps gave Mitchell a clearer idea of where his product fit within the market. After these findings, DRI has established a supplier and is crafting the prototype. Mitchell wants to develop his products and get them on shelves at bike shops throughout the Pacific Northwest.
The OIC helped Mitchell develop his startup, DRI. With funding, Mitchell can show how rain gear can change how people commute on their bikes. He shares, “OIC re-sparked my entrepreneurial spirit by being surrounded by many like-minded individuals and meeting well-established entrepreneurs I connected with.” His renewed energy and connections will be the driving force that will give him the edge when his rain hits the shelves at your local bike shop.
Nicholas Pancheri and Frank Pittman are bioengineering PhD students at the University of Oregon. They began working together two years ago on various tissue engineering and regenerative medicine projects. Frank and Nick quickly realized their shared passion for applied engineering while also looking to explore the new realm of entrepreneurship. Their startup, Arthresolv, looks to put their studies of bioengineering to use. They hope to solve the problem of chronic joint inflammation. There usually is no cure, and people are stuck with the pain for the rest of their lives. Arthresolv has been developing an injectable therapeutic that resets the inflammatory process in joint tissues to healthy levels, reducing pain and improving mobility.
Nick and Frank have been hard at work progressing the work of Arthresolv throughout the year. They have established partnerships with external Analytics groups to gather market analyses while compiling market strategies for the near future. The team also received veri-
fied results validating that Arthresolv can be loaded into a custom drug delivery package for patients. Along with verified results, Nick and Frank have established a preclinical model demonstrating feasibility and tolerance. Their progress has helped set Arthresolv up for success in the hope of submitting an invention disclosure and patent application.
While Nick and Frank’s participation in OIC season 2 strengthened their foundations of science and research, turning an idea into innovation was a grey area. They share, “OIC has accelerated our development as scientists and engineers.” The fast-paced and competitive environment of the Oregon Innovation Challenge kept Nick and Frank on their toes, igniting the fire to receive funding for their product. The Athresolv team can now add entrepreneurs to their list of attributes with a product that reduces people’s pain and changes lives in the process.
by Darian Miranda Olivas
With the same bland chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors ruling the protein shake game since its creation, fourth-year economics major, Darian Miranda Olivas sought out a Latin twist that would bring a much-needed kick to his protein supplements. His startup, Activos aims to do exactly that by creating a supplement that utilizes the flavor and culture of the Latino community. In place of the typical flavors we have all come to dread, Darian created hibiscus and tamarind-flavored supplements that leave consumers craving more rather than fearing their next protein shake.
Darian came up with the idea for Activos after he noticed that Mexican candies often embrace spicy and sour flavors that are low in sugar and calories compared to the sweet flavors that American supplements embrace. Initially, Darian set his sights on a protein-fueled candy that embraced this Latin, spicy, and sour flavoring. However, during his time participating in OIC, he discovered that a protein powder would be more favor-
able both for his startup as well as the consumers he looked to reach. Out of this realization, Activos was born as Darian has since wasted no time in creating their tamarind and hibiscus protein powders and earning their first sales. With a bright future ahead, Darian has made a goal to reach 50 sales in the next six months and plans to achieve this vision by finishing the creation of Activos’ website and packaging design as well as growing its social media presence.
While Darian had entered OIC with an idea of what he wanted to pursue with his startup, he felt that his involvement in the OIC community helped him feel driven to succeed throughout the year by helping craft a framework for his idea as well as keeping him working diligently with an established timeline. Feedback was plentiful for Activos as Darian always felt uplifted by his peer’s compliments and criticisms and through a “daunting process never found [himself] alone.”
by Colin Baloun
Colin Baloun is an undergrad in the College of Business at the University of Oregon. His love for entrepreneurship and sustainable fashion are the building blocks for his startup, UO Flea Market. Colin wanted to create a space where the entrepreneurship community could thrive on campus and showcase what small businesses offer. To make this happen, the UO Flea Market plans to rent out the EMU Lawn or Amphitheater to allow vendors to sell their products, promote their brands, and recruit people to join their clubs on and off campus. Since high school, Colin has had an entrepreneurial mind. He founded his first startup, Space Blvd, where he sells vintage clothes at fashion flea markets in his hometown of Chicago. After he moved to Eugene for college, Colin noticed a need for on-campus events centered around student-run businesses. He knew there was a need for them. Throughout the development of the UO Flea Market, he now has 37
people interested in being a vendor while also getting their approval to run the event. Looking toward the future, Colin wants to expand the 37 vendors to 60 by the end of the spring term and then hopes to launch the first UO Flea Market in the fall of 2024.
Colin’s participation in OIC this past year has encouraged his ideas to flourish and continue thinking big. He came into this experience already having entrepreneurial ventures. Still, OIC offered guidance to help hone his skills and build the UO Flea Market. Colin shares, “OIC made me believe that an idea I had as a freshman that I thought would be unachievable is something that can happen. I’m incredibly grateful for the community this program offers being around like-minded people, which I believe elevates all of us.” With the support of OIC and his fellow entrepreneurs, Colin is offering the UO campus a new look at what Eugene and its students have to offer.
Oliver Loreto and Keane Deas are the pair of third-year biochemistry students behind ClearMark Biosciences. Their startup focuses on concussions, specifically regarding how we recognize their presence in a head injury. For the many victims of concussions or head trauma, recognizing symptoms is often an immense challenge through the typical mental cloudiness and general hesitation most people have in self-diagnosing their injuries. However, through ClearMark Biosciences, Oliver and Keane have developed a
fool-proof system for detecting concussions that doesn’t leave symptoms under question. Instead of resorting to an educated guess, ClearMark Biosciences provides potential concussion victims with a rapid saliva test that makes the presence or absence of a concussion certain in a matter of minutes.
After attempting to build the basis for ClearMark Biosciences during the iGem incubator in 2022, Oliver and Keane felt lost in their struggle to make their idea a reality and had initially turned their efforts toward differing projects. However, after being introduced to the OIC community and encouraged to return to their idea, Oliver and Keane reignited ClearMark Biosciences and set off to dive head-first into their innovation. In this year alone, Oliver and Keane have secured a lab space in the Knight Campus, earned backing from a venture capital firm as well as OIC, and have reached a point of financial security that allows them to begin experimentation. On the horizon for ClearMark Biosciences is the creation of a prototype and the securing of a patent for their revolutionary idea.
Without a nudge from the OIC community, Oliver and Keane’s idea could have remained as just a thought. However, thanks to their participation in OIC Season 2, ClearMark Biosciences has made great strides in its path to success and only seeks to continue this progress as the release of its prototype lies in the near future.
by Tobias Miller
Having grown up in Gaston, Oregon; a town teeming with vineyards and an immense passion for wine, it was practically inevitable that second-year student Tobias Miller would find his calling in the vineyards that surrounded his upbringing. In founding Miller Analytics, Tobias aims to bring a sense of market understanding to smaller wineries that often find themselves fully invested in their craft. Tobias plans on using cutting-edge analytics to segment the consumer bases of vineyards and ensure that they put their marketing efforts toward the exact audience that desires their products rather than a more general consumer base that may not feel as enthusiastic.
When founding Miller Analytics, Tobias had already identified his talent in analytics but had yet to find an industry that would value his work to the highest degree. However, across the course of OIC Season 2, he was able to narrow down his value proposition to an industry that felt local and also in need of analytical work. Upon determining that
he’d focus his efforts on the wine industry, he immediately got to work, completing two segmentation projects and later earning funding from the OIC Season 2 incubator. In the next six months, Tobias aims to add to his list of completed analytics projects and finish 3 more projects before next fall.
As Tobias has centered his academics around data science, he felt concerned about his lack of defined business expertise and connections in the field. However, despite these worries, OIC immediately summoned a sense of entrepreneurial passion in Tobias as he proclaimed that, “OIC provided me with the connections and resources I’ve needed to realize a concrete and realistic business model. Without the structure and support of OIC, I would have been stuck in the dark.” Business student or not, at OIC a passion for startup business and a community of supportive innovators is all you need to kickstart your next business venture.
by Kelly OʼNeill
Kelly O’Neill is a PhD student focusing on nerve regeneration and is the proud founder of Perimend 3D. As its name suggests, Perimend 3D is a 3D printing-centered startup that looks to print bridges that can reconnect damaged or cut nerves. Kelly’s startup achieves this goal by printing a small, biodegradable tube that connects the two ends of a damaged nerve and restores its function and thus reintroduces its ability to move and feel. Over her past three years at the University of Oregon, Kelly built high-resolution 3D printers for the school, developed expertise in neural cell culture, and perfected her programming skills which put her in a prime position to take her startup by the reins and see immediate success.
So far, Kelly has settled on a 1-millimeter design for her product and has been quick to submit a utility patent for her invention. Additionally, she discovered a biodegradable material that was compatible with broken nerves as well as 3D printers and has begun organizing
testing on animal subjects to back Perimend 3D’s effectiveness. While quick strides have already been made in the growth of Perimend 3D, Kelly aims to perform her first tests on animal subjects in the coming months and validate her startup’s revolutionary nerve bridges. From there, we can expect Perimend 3D to begin its integration into the human nervous system where it will inevitably bring back the human gift that is touch.
Although Kelly held great faith in the innovation made by Perimend 3D, her belief in the startup’s value as a venture opportunity was relatively low, especially given its revolutionary impact. OIC helped Kelly, “See for the first time the potential of Perimend 3D as a venture opportunity.” Even when game-changing innovations are dangled in front of the faces of entrepreneurs, sometimes the push of a community’s positivity is all they need to recognize the potential of their ideas.
By Owen Cooper-Karl &
Owen Cooper-Karl and Royce MacArthur are both in the College of Business and the masterminds behind The Breathable. This startup looks to improve indoor air quality by bringing a rainforest indoors, inspired by the Pacific Northwest’s temperate rainforests. The breathable is a desktop-sized device that utilizes charcoal and live moss to remove harmful pollutants from the air. Through the addition of humidity, the sound of splashing water, and some vibrant greenery from the live moss, you should feel and breathe like the outdoors has moved inside. The idea for The Breathable struck when moving away from the Pacific Northwest and realizing just how exceptional the air quality was. Many take for granted the access we have on a daily basis. They wanted to find a way to share this crisp and fresh air with the rest of the country.
Owen’s idea has come to fruition with a newly developed and functioning prototype
that has improved indoor air quality. He is still looking for new design options to improve the prototype. Owen is accomplishing this by adding Royce MacArthur to his design team. Through the year of OIC, The Breathable has had a ton of community outreach and engagement, while also securing funding to dive deeper into production and marketing.
The Breathable has gone through many sketches and ideation within Owen’s head but has seen it come to life with the help of OIC. The community has helped them get past mental blocks. He shares, “there were several moments where I hit major roadblocks and easily could have walked away from the project, but each time the OIC team or another member of the community was there to reaffirm my resolve and built back momentum.” Owen has hit his stride and is ready to dig deeper to bring The Breathable to your home.
Evan Matthews and Ackley Turnbull are both undergraduate students. They are the masterminds behind the luxury garment brand Jinsang Co. Using unconventional manufacturing, Jinsang Co. looks to create expression through clothing and design to their consumer base. The initial idea for the startup was rooted in Ackley’s ten-year sewing experience and needing an outlet to express his creations. Seeing potential in a large market, Evan offered to collaborate on a clothing brand that would change the look of fashion. Jinsang Co. seeks unique applications with handmade touches that feel expensive for the consumer.
In anticipation of OIC, Jinsang Co. has produced over 20 garments for the public. Each garment is meticulously made and sewn by hand. It may be tedious, but Evan and Ackley take pride in the craftsmanship of a garment. The duo has also made a website from scratch.
have completed and released numerous digital animations to spread the word about their startup and make it memorable to consumers.
Thinking about the future; the garment brand is designing up a storm, dreaming up its next launch. They are hoping to release a collection of these designs on their new website and in person. Along with new designs and technology, the team has a winter jacket in the works. They want to start offering it on their website in the colder months.
A Jinsang website will give a more extensive reach to the public while also being able to show off their products to the world. Their computer presence doesn’t stop there. Evan and Ackley
The OIC community is a pillar of support for its participants, and Jinsang Co. is a shining example of this. The team’s enticing designs and well-crafted products were the foundation of their success, but it was the guidance and support from OIC that propelled them forward. The team values the lessons they have learned, and they express their gratitude: “The OIC team and the community have been our unwavering support system. They’ve equipped us with the tools we need to succeed, and for that, we are sincerely grateful.”
Fourth-year students, Eloy Vetto, Yanapat Janthana, and Kaba Haou are the proud founders of Data to Decisions, a startup that utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to help other startups find success in their respective markets. Specifically, Data to Decisions is responsible for building machine learning models that can accurately formulate demand forecast predictions. The story behind the startup goes all the way back to high school where Kaba and Eloy first met and bonded over their passion for innovation. The final piece to the puzzle came during the first OIC brunch as Eloy and Kaba quickly befriended Yanapat after discovering a mutual interest in artificial intelligence. Data to Decisions started as a team on a mission to put their expertise in artificial intelligence to use. However, the actual application of this expertise was up in the air for a matter of weeks before Eloy, Yanapat, and Kaba saw inspiration in the struggles of their own startup and thus found Data to Decisions’ purpose. As a startup helping fellow start-
ups, Data to Decisions utilized its knowledge in the field of entrepreneurship to earn its first client, Rogue Ales and Spirits. In the time since they’ve been able to identify specific faults in their sales tactics and create a model that has increased their sales forecasts by 10%. With a bright future ahead of them, Eloy, Yanapat, and Kaba have made it their goal to get their AI-assisted machine learning program licensed and thus made available to use at the click of a button.
The Data to Decisions team was vocal about the community’s role in their success, stating, “The mentors and friends we have met through OIC have allowed us to build D2D to what it is now.” As a cornerstone of this year’s community of innovators, it will be no surprise to see Eloy, Yanapat, and Kaba lend a helping hand to entrepreneurs worldwide as Data to Decisions looks to make waves in the field of startup business.
Caswell Reed, Leo Ashla Cramer, Sam Berry, and Luke Pfeiffer are the fourth-year student innovators behind one of the most vibrant brands in homeware: Sunshine VFD. Rather than settling for the grays and dull plastic tones of modern homeware, Sunshine VFD encourages consumers to let loose and surround themselves with homeware that brings a sense of wonder and community to their household. Caswell was the initial founder of the startup as the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic fueled him to create an artistic outlet to bond over with friends. Despite its wholesome beginnings, Sunshine VFD has blossomed from a creative outlet into a fullblown startup as Caswell invited his friends along for the ride and in the time since, made tremendous steps in bringing Sunshine VFD from a notepad sketch to a functioning brand.
Years before their participation in OIC, Sunshine VFD was already announcing themselves to the Eugene area. In a 2022 event that featured the sale of totes, t-shirts, stickers, and incense holders, students at the University of Oregon got their first taste of the creative startup and were hungry for more. This spurred the creation
of a quarterly Sunshine VFD podcast, and the printing of a magazine, photobook, and graphic book for the brand. Looking to the future, the homeware startup looks to break into the Portland market and hold a wider virtual release of its products as well.
Similar to OIC’s identity as a community-centered organization, the team behind Sunshine VFD was also built on a community-driven cornerstone. This foundational trait allowed them to blend seamlessly with the rest of OIC and gave them many an opportunity to share their strategies and triumphs in becoming a playful, creative, and community-driven startup. Even for a team that exuded such a strong sense of community, there was great room for learning as their time in OIC gave them, “the tools and support to take Sunshine VFD out of our sketchbook and bring it to market.” For Sunshine VFD OIC is just the beginning, and as Portland and other West Coast cities become fortunate enough to see their products, expect to see a homeware revolution as a new sense of playfulness sweeps through homes everywhere.
By Malcolm Karow
In the ever-growing world of fitness supplements, the term “artificial” has become a mainstay in the industry with ingredients that are impossible to pronounce and deceptive flavoring that we all know is too good to be true. However, hidden between the mountains of blue raspberry flavoring and excessive caffeine, has emerged GYMSTX: an all-natural energy supplement. Founder Malcolm Karow discovered the potential of his startup last year during OIC’s debut competition as he was one of the 16 teams to receive funding. His participation in OIC was integral to his startup’s ongoing growth as he stated that, “OIC not only gave me the funding I needed to get off the ground, but I [also] received continued support from the mentors OIC connected me with’’. In the time since earning his stripes with OIC, GYMSTX has crafted its first batch of supplements and saw immediate success, with over 1,000 sales in their first week. As Malcolm concludes his time at the University of Oregon, he looks to continue building the GYMSTX brand and see his product on shelves across the country.
The West Coast is synonymous with skateboarding culture, filled with gnarly tricks, iconic locations, and, let’s not forget, the evolution of streetwear turned skater style. A skater’s apparel is not just a shirt and pants. It is a blank canvas for every person to push the limits of their individuality. Fugitive Worldwide hopes to create high-quality garments for people who take pride in design and express themselves through fashion. Founder Julian Yue saw the potential of his anti-corporate skater-owned company through OIC’s debut competition, in which he was one of 16 teams that received funding. His experience within OIC was the spark needed to picture his startup as a reality instead of just an idea. Yue states, “OIC allowed me the freedom to express my creativity and take on projects I’ve wanted to do without the money barrier. It also motivated me immensely to take my startup seriously.” Since his time in the OIC competition, Fugitive Worldwide has continued to grow with sales while getting ready to release its first mass release of skateboards. Julian is looking to continue getting the Fugitive Worldwide word out there in hopes of drumming up interest before his upcoming release.
After last year’s inaugural OIC exceeded all expectations, we were tasked with the challenging mission of crafting a second season that raised the bar. And our team was up for the challenge: OIC Season 2 saw higher participation, more funding, and better quality all around. To all of our participants, mentors, and donors who contributed to this incredible season of OIC—thank you. We couldn’t do this without you!
JEFF SORENSEN, BOB MIGHELL, KYLE HUMBERT, MALCOLM KAROW, WALKER CULLINS, KARLY BIERMA, LAUREN WELCH, KYLIE WILLIAMS, ANN CARNEY NELSON, AIDAN ERGUN, CRAIG CHRISHOLM, KYLIE WILLIAMS, SEBASTIAN MORSE, MASON FERRÉ, GABE KAUFMAN, JOE WHEELER ALEX ROSEN, LYLA PARU, JULIA ROOD, EMMA LELAND, SAMI CURRAN, VALERIE BROGDAN, JEFF GARMAN, KURT LANGWORTHY, STEVE WEIMBOLT, JERRY GASPER, NATHANIEL CHEA, TEVY CHEA JACKSON FEIST, ALEXA HAENEL, STELLA RABB, ANISSA BENABBAS THOMAS BOWERS, CHASE TRAVIS, ORION HUBBARD RONAN KEENAN, ANNA RHODEHAMEL, ROB -
ERT RUST,JONATHAN DOROGIN, MORIAH BIEDERMAN, DANIEL CRIPPEN, MITCHELL BAKER, NICHOLAS PANCHERI, FRANK PITTMAN, DARIAN MIRANDA OLIVAS
COLIN BALOUN, OLI - VER LORETO, KEANE DEAS, TOBIAS MILLER, KELLY O’NEILL,OWEN COOPER-KARL, ROYCE MACARTHUR, EVAN MATHEWS, ACKLEY TURNBALL, ELOY VETTO, YANAPAT JAN - THANA, KABO HAOU CASWELL REED,LEO ASHLA CRAMER, SAM BERRY, LUKE PFEIFFER, JULIAN YUE, JESSICA MURRAY, DANIELLE ALEX - ANDER, CHRISTOPHER PAYNE, MICHAEL CROOKE, MOR - GAN LERNER, BEN WEST, BABAK PARVIZ, CHRIS SPENCER, NICK SKREPETOS, VERDI MADISON, TALHA BASIT, MARC HILL, DAVE ROSEN, ABBY EMRICH, ANNA PERSELL, SAVANNAH ZERBEL, ANASTASIA PEZO, AUDREY ALAN, BJORN JOHANSEN, ELI BOGATIN, ELIAS PETERSON, JACQUELIN JONES, JOSE PANIAGUA, KYLE RUBIN WILL BOSTICK, MADDIE KNAPP, WILL LOBER, MADDY HINSON, DEREK BRANDOW, DAVID EWALD