Innovation District
Collaborate.
Create.
Catalyze.
The Innovation District at OSU-Cascades
This is where people will move concept to reality. Where innovators will collaborate with OSU experts to accelerate solutions. Together, we’ll take on tomorrow’s challenges, prepare students for future careers, and drive economic and community success.
Join us as we build what’s next.
Bold Ideas Ahead
The vision for the 24-acre Innovation District was born a decade ago from a community vision for Oregon's newest public university campus. Today, emerging from a landfill once used by timber mills – is a sustainability-forward hub for solution-driven entrepreneurs and academic experts. The first eight-acre phase is ready for partnership and vertical development.
The Power of OSU
Great ideas accelerate when you collaborate with a top-tier, Carnegie‑designated research university and an APLU Innovation & Economic Prosperity institution. OSU experts work across industries to connect cutting‑edge research with real‑world needs and create partnerships that benefit students, entrepreneurs, our region, our state — and society.
Spheres of Focus
Central Oregon attracts thinkers and doers in fields ripe for innovation, growth and investment.
BioTech
Central Oregon’s biotech and medical device industry is growing, with anchor companies Lonza, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Grace Bio-Labs.
Outdoor
An outdoor products degree, seeded with Hydro Flask support, attracts top faculty and diverse students.
Energy
Lots of sun mean solar is big, and energy efficiency bigger. Our energy systems engineering program launches job-ready graduates and successful spinoffs.
Growing The Future
Oregon’s newest university campus
Since opening in 2016, OSU‑Cascades has realized a 30‑year community vision and become a leader in preparing students for careers across engineering, art, media, technology and more — while linking employers to graduates poised to make an impact.
On land once deemed unusable, the university is turning brownfields into a 128‑acre campus for up to 5,000 students and setting the stage for the innovation district, public‑private partnerships and bold net‑zero energy, water and waste goals.
Located for success.
One of the nation’s dynamic destinations for business and entrepreneurship, Bend boasts easy access to a regional commercial airport, major freight routes and major interstate highways. Co-located on the OSU-Cascades campus, the Innovation District will offer proximity to academic and student talent, entrepreneurs, industry and economic resources, and campus amenities. And a short walk away - shopping, concerts and miles of mountain trails.