Entrepreneurship at University of Oregon

The University of Oregon's entrepreneurship identity is inextricable from Nike. Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman literally started Nike by selling running shoes out of the trunk of a car, and that scrappy, product-obsessed founding story permeates UO's entrepreneurship culture. The Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship at the Lundquist College of Business runs the flagship programs, and the university's strengths in sports business, design, and sustainability create unique startup opportunities.

UO's particular strengths are in areas that few other schools can match. The Warsaw Sports Business Center is one of the premier sports business programs in the country, training founders who understand the intersection of athletics, brand, and technology. The School of Architecture and Environment produces design-oriented founders who think about sustainability and user experience. The Sustainable Cities Initiative places students in real community problem-solving projects that can become the basis for social enterprises.

Eugene is a smaller city, but Portland (two hours north) has a growing startup ecosystem with strengths in sustainable products, outdoor industry, creative technology, and food/beverage. The Oregon startup ecosystem is notably strong in mission-driven businesses - the state's culture of environmental consciousness and social responsibility attracts founders who want to build profitable companies that also make a positive impact.

UO student founders in 2026 benefit from the Lundquist Center's programs and the growing Oregon tech ecosystem. The annual Duck Tank pitch competition and the Oregon Venture Fund create funding pathways, and UO's strengths in sports business, design, and sustainability create differentiated startup opportunities.

The practical advantage is Oregon's lifestyle appeal, which helps with recruiting, and the state's strengths in sustainable and outdoor industry brands. The challenge is that Eugene is a small market, and founders building tech companies may need to connect to Portland or the Bay Area for growth-stage resources.

• Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship
• Warsaw Sports Business Center
• Sustainable Cities Initiative
• Innovation Partnership Services

• Lundquist Center - venture support and mentorship
• Oregon Venture Fund - state venture fund
• RAIN Eugene - regional accelerator

• UO Entrepreneurship Club
• Duck Tank (pitch competition)
• Sports Business Club
• Sustainable Business Club

• Nike (Phil Knight)
• Mentor Graphics (Tom Bruggere)
• Lithia Motors (Sid DeBoer)
• Bi-Mart (Norm Daniels)

Oregon's startup ecosystem is unique in its emphasis on sustainability, outdoor industry, and mission-driven business. Portland has become a hub for sustainable consumer brands, creative technology, and food/beverage startups, and the cultural alignment between Oregon's values and the growing consumer demand for sustainable products creates a natural advantage for UO founders. The Oregon Venture Fund and RAIN (Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network) provide startup support throughout the state. For UO founders, the strategic advantage is building brands and products that authentically reflect Oregon's sustainability culture - a genuine market differentiator in an era when consumers increasingly choose brands aligned with their values. Nike's UO origin story remains the most powerful proof that world-changing companies can start in Eugene.

Eugene has a small startup scene, while Portland (2 hours north) has a growing tech ecosystem strong in sustainable products, creative tech, and outdoor industry. Oregon is known for mission-driven businesses.