The Co-Lab helps the innovators of today while training the innovators of tomorrow.  

Who we are:

The Innovation Co-Lab is a department of Oregon State University-Cascades that helps innovators turn their ideas into reality.

At the same time, we train tomorrow's innovators by giving them experiential learning opportunities that grow businesses or non-profits.

 

Who we work with:

We work with innovators, creators, founders, and managers in the community as well as the university.  We work with:

  • Startups

  • Businesses

  • Nonprofits

Our services are available to the public.

 

Our Impact

We help our clients build and sell new, amazing things.  As a result, we create jobs, help our clients get funding, and grow the economy in Oregon. 

At the same time, our student interns learn through real-world projects and build skills they can use in their careers.  

Get Coaching and Mentorship

The Co-Lab provides one-on-one coaching.  As a Co-Lab client, we help you stay accountable to your goals, lower the risk of starting a business, and help you learn:

  • How to start a company
  • How to start a nonprofit
  • How to build a brand
  • How to setup social media
  • How to design a new product or service offering
  • How to create a software app
  • How to automate data collecting and reporting
  • How to find funding
  • How to align with your team or board of directors
  • How to write a grant
  • How to write a pitch

Additionally, you may join our facilitated startup group with Opportunity Knocks or join our online mentor network.

EMAIL US TO GET STARTED

Sign Up for a Workshop

The Co-Lab and Opportunity Knocks are running a Launchpad Workshop in November 2022.  

This introductory workshop will discuss how you can:

  • Refine your product or service idea
  • Identify who your true customer is
  • Develop a product or service (and save money doing it)
  • Create effective ways to reach your customers
  • Entrepreneurs that finish the program are eligible to join the OK Accelerator Group. In this group, you will join other entrepreneurs and get ongoing support:
  • Learn how to overcome business challenges that are specific to your business.
  • Build your brand, website, social media, and advertising campaigns.
  • Find and get funding,
  • Find independent contractors that can help you build your product or service.
  • Learn how to set up bookkeeping, accounting, and financial tracking without the headache.

REGISTER

Work with Our Student Consultancy

Learn more about how the Co-Lab works with businesses and nonprofits while helping students develop job skills.

Client Projects

The Co-Lab employs student interns as junior consultants that work on a variety of projects.  With coaching from the Executive Director, business students build marketing plans, setup social media for clients, research leads, and manage projects.  Computer Science students build web apps, mobile apps, data dashboards and more. 

Additionally, the Co-Lab runs a high-school program each summer called STEM-Pathways to teach high-schoolers about how to create products.  In this paid internship, students complete up to 2 projects for local businesses, government agencies, or nonprofits.  In 2021, students built sensors in conjunction with the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership and in 2022, students completed the pitch for DreamUp and built a data and grant tracking dashboard for Central Oregon STEM Hub.

Ecosystem and Infrastructure Projects

The Executive Director and student consultants also take on projects to benefit the community. For examples, the Co-Lab assisted with the disbursement of several million dollars of Small Business Relief Funds with Central Oregon Intergovernmental Counsel, is the principal investigator for building an Innovation Hub in Central Oregon and is assisting with the development of the Innovation District on OSU-Cascades’ campus. 

LEARN MORE

Get Started with the Co-Lab

Get access to our coaching, student consultancy, and other resources that you need to launch your new venture.

EMAIL US TO GET STARTED

Contact Us

If you are interested in working with the Co-Lab, please contact the Executive Director.

EMAIL USAnchor

Location

The Innovation Co-Lab is located at the Graduate Research Center on the second floor.  

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