July 2023 Startup Coffee Meetup
2023-07-20 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
Free coffee and great company every month.
There is something about meeting over coffee that sparks good ideas and great networking.
Join us every third Thursday of the month from 9am-10am at the Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive Street for coffee and conversation.
After brief introductions, local entrepreneurs, mentors, small biz owners and others will have the chance to meet and network. Anyone is welcome to attend; no registration is required and make sure you invite a friend!
Discover one of the events that helped launch the Eugene area startup eco-system.
*Note that this is a meetup where we are trying to connect startups with others who can help them. This is not a ‘leads’ networking event. If you are a service provider looking for clients, this is not the place to do it.
ABOUT ONWARD EUGENE:

Onward Eugene unites regional partners — mobilizing rebuilding efforts to fully realize our regions shared potential for expansive and inclusive prosperity. Bringing together support for startups, business expansion, regional marketing and business recruiting initiatives. Onward Eugene is a force multiplier in the creation of economic resilience. A 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Onward’s entrepreneurial programs are made possible with the support of EDA funding and Comcast Business.

August 2023 Startup Coffee Meetup
2023-08-17 09:00 - 10:00 | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

Business on Tap - Summer 2023
2023-08-29 17:30 - 20:00 | Ninkasi Better Living Room, 155 Blair Blvd., Eugene, OR, 97402, United States
🎉🍻 Business on Tap: Where Hops Meet the Hustle! 🍻🎉
Wanna mix and mingle with our local business community? Are you ready to learn and grow as a professional? Then, join us for the next installment of “Business on Tap” at the iconic Ninkasi Brewery, where the essence of innovation and the art of craft beer converge.
📅 Date: Tuesday, August 29
🕖 Time: 5:30-8:00 p.m.
🏢 Venue: Ninkasi’s Better Living Room @ 155 Blair Blvd
Find us upstairs in the private bar with its own patio on the balcony!
🎤 What to Expect:
1️⃣ Pitch Presentation from ChangeFinder, a local startup innovating the grantwriting process through the power of AI🚀 Be prepared to witness the blossoming of the next big thing! Watch a fellow founder wow the crowd and witness firsthand how passion, vision, and creativity blend to create remarkable success stories.
2️⃣ Captivating Panel Discussion 🗣️ Prepare to be inspired! Gain valuable tips and insight on utilizing AI to streamline processes, foster a culture of innovation, and increase value of products and services. Subject experts from Palo Alto Software will discuss the ins and outs of of disruptive technologies and the best way to use these emerging technologies to your advantage.
🎫 Tickets: Priced at a mere $15, this is a steal! Your ticket includes access to presentations and a networking hour, a scrumptious spread of delectable eats, and your choice of a refreshing Ninkasi Brewery drink. Hurry and secure your spot now, as the previous Business on Tap event sold out days in advance.
🌟 Why Attend: Business on Tap is not just about networking; it’s about nurturing the spirit of entrepreneurship, celebrating local business, and building a strong, supportive community. This event promises to leave all members of our business community invigorated and inspired. This is the perfect opportunity to forge partnerships, share insights, and celebrate the spirit of innovation in the company of like-minded individuals.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the energy of Business on Tap! Sign up now and take the first step towards elevating your business ventures to new heights. The thrill awaits, so act fast – secure your ticket before they vanish!

September 2023 Startup Coffee Meetup
2023-09-21 09:00 - 10:00 | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

Perfect Your Pitch - A Workshop for Female Entrepreneurs
2023-10-14 09:00 - 14:00 | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
Are you a woman with a brilliant business idea? Do you dream of taking your startup to the next level and securing vital funding? Look no further – join us for an empowering and educational workshop designed exclusively for women entrepreneurs! Whether you’re a serial founder or a first-timer, our “Perfect Your Pitch” workshop will equip you with the skills and confidence you need to shine in the world of business.
🌈 Who Can Attend? Anyone who identifies as a woman is welcome to register! We know gender bias abounds throughout society, but the gap in startup funding is staggering; Female founders receive less than three percent of venture capital each year. That’s why we’re doing our part to correct the imbalance and foster an inclusive, diverse entrepreneurial community. Whether you have a groundbreaking tech startup or a revolutionary social enterprise, this workshop is for you.
💼 Workshop Highlights: “Perfect Your Pitch” will be led by qualified and experienced professionals who have successfully navigated the entrepreneurial journey themselves. You’ll gain insights and advice from those who’ve been there and done that. Crafting a compelling pitch is essential for attracting investors, partners, and customers. The expert guidance you receive on refining your pitch to perfection will make it irresistible to your target audience.
🏆 Exclusive Pitch Competition: This workshop is your ticket to the Women’s Only Pitch Competition, happening on Saturday, November 4. To be eligible to compete, attendance and completion of the workshop are mandatory. And why is the pitch competition so important? Because we’re awarding cash prizes of up to $10,000 for first, second, and third places! This is your opportunity to showcase your innovative ideas and compete for substantial financial support to fuel your startup’s growth.
Beyond the workshop, you will gain access to top-notch mentoring that will not only prepare you for the competition but also help accelerate your startup journey. The best part? It’s all entirely FREE! Spaces are limited though, so be sure to secure your spot today. Join us for a day of empowerment, learning, and networking with like-minded women entrepreneurs. Together, we’ll take your startup to new heights!
For more information, contact Skye at skyet@onwardeugene.org

October 2023 Startup Coffee Meetup
2023-10-19 09:00 - 10:00 | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

Purpose and Mindset Workshop #1
2023-10-23 16:00 - 18:00 | OR
This interactive workshop is designed to help you prepare for the Female Founders Pitchfest by connecting to your deeper ‘why’ and developing a mindset that supports your success.

We’ll do a deep dive into these questions:

Who are you and what’s your why?
Why are you the best person to solve the problem your business solves?

Connecting to why you do what you do will help you tell a compelling story to create the emotional hook that makes people interested in your business.
And if you don’t believe you’re the best person to solve this problem, no one else will either. This workshop will teach you a powerful tool to help you build your confidence for results you haven’t yet created.

Workshop Details
This 2-hour workshop will be offered twice and participants are welcome to attend one or both sessions.
Option 1: Monday, 10/23 4-6pm
Option 2: Monday, 10/30 4-6pm
Location: The Innovation Hub (942 Olive)

About the Facilitator
Heather May Roberts is a Life Coach and Women-Centered Facilitator who helps purpose-driven women befriend their minds and reclaim their time. She’s the co-founder of The Creator CoLab for Women, an online learning community and co-working space for heart-centered women entrepreneurs.

Purpose and Mindset Workshop #2
2023-10-30 16:00 - 18:00 | OR

Female Founders Pitchfest
2023-11-04 09:00 - 12:00 | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
Join us for a celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, and female empowerment at the Female Founders Pitchfest, proudly presented by our generous sponsor, Kaiser Permanente. This event promises to be an inspiring showcase of local women-owned businesses in Lane County. All competing founders helped prepare by completing our “Perfect Your Pitch” workshop, led by Charla Triplett, Managing Director of Launch Oregon and Senior Venture Partner at Suncoast Ventures. Now, they are prepared to deliver their polished pitches to the panel of judges and the enthusiastic audience. After all pitches have been delivered, the judges will deliberate while presenters and attendees celebrate and network over refreshments. Winners will be announced during the networking hour.
Our panel of esteemed judges is comprised of accomplished women entrepreneurs who are deeply connected to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Eugene:

Caroline Cummings: CEO of RAIN Catalysts and the CEO and founder of Varo Ventures.
Shula Jaron: Founder of Fertilab and advisor at Poppy, as well as a member of CytoImage’s board of directors
Anjit Kaur Anand: A seasoned venture capitalist and serial founder

Who Can Attend?
This event is open to entrepreneurs, investors, and all members of the community who are passionate about supporting female founders and witnessing the next wave of innovation!
Prizes:
First Place: $10,000
Second Place: $5,000
Third Place: $2,000
Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the ingenuity and determination of our local women entrepreneurs. Let’s come together to support and celebrate their achievements. We look forward to seeing you at the Innovation Hub on November 4. Thank you, Kaiser Permanente, for your invaluable support in making this event possible!

November 2023 Startup Coffee Meetup
2023-11-16 09:00 - 10:00 | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

January 2024 Startup Coffee Meetup
2024-01-18 09:00 - 10:00 | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
Free coffee and great company every month.
There is something about meeting over coffee that sparks good ideas and great networking.
Join us every third Thursday of the month from 9am-10am at the Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive Street for coffee and conversation.
After brief introductions, local entrepreneurs, mentors, small biz owners and others will have the chance to meet and network. Anyone is welcome to attend; no registration is required and make sure you invite a friend!
Discover one of the events that helped launch the Eugene area startup eco-system.
*Note that this is a meetup where we are trying to connect startups with others who can help them. This is not a ‘leads’ networking event. If you are a service provider looking for clients, this is not the place to do it.
ABOUT ONWARD EUGENE:

Onward Eugene unites regional partners — mobilizing rebuilding efforts to fully realize our region’s shared potential for expansive and inclusive prosperity. Bringing together support for startups, business expansion, regional marketing and business recruiting initiatives, Onward Eugene is a force multiplier in the creation of economic resilience. A 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Business on Tap - Winter 2024
2024-01-23 17:30 - 20:00 | Claim 52, 1203 Willamette St #140, Eugene, OR, 97402, United States
🎉🍻 Business on Tap: Where Hops Meet the Hustle! 🍻🎉
Wanna mix and mingle with our local business community? Are you ready to learn and grow as a professional? Then, join us for the next installment of “Business on Tap” at a brand new location: Claim 52!
📅 Date: Tuesday, January 23
🕖 Time: 5:30-8:00 p.m.
🏢 Venue: Claim 52 @ 1203 Willamette St #140
Business on Tap is back with a brand new location! Join us for an evening of networking and education. Hear from prize-winning female founders and learn more about how Onward is serving the incredible, innovative women leaders in our community. Blend learning and leisure with a delectable spread of snacks, a refreshing beverage, and invaluable insights from Eugene’s business community.
The event will commence with an exciting showcase of innovation as we feature two outstanding pitches from the winners of the Women’s Pitch competition. Be inspired by their entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ideas that have earned them this prestigious recognition.
Following the pitches, our focus will shift to a thought-provoking panel discussion on the theme of “recession-proofing” your business through lean practices. Learn from industry experts and gain practical strategies to navigate challenging economic landscapes. The panel will include a distinguished member of the Emerald Valley Lean Association Board of Directors, bringing authoritative insights into lean methodologies. Joining them is Emma Sackinger, the operations manager from Hummingbird Wholesale, who will share real-world experiences and success stories.
To guide us through this insightful conversation, we are honored to have Erik Parish, a dedicated member of the Onward Eugene Board of Directors, as our moderator. Erik’s expertise and leadership will ensure a dynamic and engaging discussion that delves deep into the strategies and practices essential for business resilience.
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge, expand your network, and gain actionable takeaways to fortify your business. Come for the education, stay for the conversation!

February 2024 Startup Coffee Meetup
2024-02-15 09:00 - 10:00 | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

March 2024 Startup Coffee Meetup
2024-03-21 09:00 - 10:00 | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

April 2024 Startup Coffee Meetup
2024-04-18 09:00 - 10:00 | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

May 2024 Startup Coffee Meetup
2024-05-16 09:00 - 10:00 | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

June 2024 Startup Coffee Meetup
2024-06-20 09:00 - 10:00 | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

July 2024 Startup Coffee Meetup
2024-07-18 09:00 - 10:00 | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

August 2024 Startup Coffee Meetup
2024-08-15 09:00 - 10:00 | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

September 2024 Startup Coffee Meetup
2024-09-19 09:00 - 10:00 | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

October 2024 Startup Coffee Meetup
2024-10-17 09:00 - 10:00 | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

November 2024 Startup Coffee Meetup
2024-11-21 09:00 - 10:00 | Innovation Hub @ 942 Olive, 942 Olive St., Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
