Are you a founder interested in learning how to launch an AI company? Sign up for the 3-day Oregon AI Startup Bootcamp a hands-on program designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their AI ideas into real-world ventures.
Hosted in Oregon’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem through a partnership between Metro Region Innovation Hub, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, Portland State University Center for Entrepreneurship, Silicon Forest Partnership, Technology Association of Oregon, and TiE Oregon, this bootcamp provides foundational knowledge in business formation as well as go to market and fund raising strategies. Participants will gain access to expert-led workshops and practical sessions that will cover everything from company formation and identifying market opportunities to marketing, generating sales, and how to scale.
With a focus on inclusivity and accessibility, the program is structured to demystify AI and empower a diverse new generation of founders. By the end of the course, participants will walk away with a path towards developing a concept and business plan.
Highlights of the Camp
- Expert-led workshops on AI, legal, funding, and more
- Tools and templates for building and validating your startup
- Networking with founders, investors, and tech leaders
- Actionable steps to launch your AI startup
- Interactive sessions and pitch coaching
- Learn how to fund raise to scale your startup
- Hear from leaders in the AI ecosystem
PROGRAM DETAILS
PROGRAM DETAILS
- Oregon AI Bootcamp will be hosted over three-days Monday, June 23rd – Wednesday, June 25th at Portland State University Business Accelerator, 2130 SW 5th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201.
- Sessions will start at 9:00 am and run until 5 pm each day, culminating with a Happy Hour for participants, sponsors and speakers on Wednesday, June 25th starting at 4 pm.
- Registration includes food and drink throughout all three days of the bootcamp.
- Registrants from outside of Portland may use the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network discount code (OENPDX) for overnight stays at the Jupiter NEXT.
REGISTER HERE
EDUCATION SESSIONS
All education sessions will be conducted in person at Portland State University Center for Entrepreneurship.
MONDAY, JUNE 23rd
9:00 am – Welcome & Bootcamp Overview
Featuring: Asad Butt, Executive Director – Metro Region Innovation Hub, Bobby Kandaswamy, ex-National Grid Partners and ex Intel Capital Venture Investor, and Sce Pike, Partner – delights.ai
9:30 am – Why Now is a Great Time to Start an AI Company
Featuring: Kristy Edwards, Founder, Key AI Security
This education session explores the unique convergence of technology, market demand, and investment interest that makes today the ideal moment to launch an AI company. Attendees will gain insights into current trends, emerging opportunities, and practical steps to capitalize on this rapidly evolving landscape.
10:30 am – Morning Break
10:45 am – Company Formation & Legal Basics for Startups
Featuring from Miller Nash: Delfina Homen – Special Counsel, Erich Merrill – Partner, and Julie Reed – Partner
This session covers the essential legal and structural steps needed to launch an AI startup, from choosing the right business entity to protecting intellectual property. Participants will learn how to navigate early-stage legal considerations to build a strong and compliant foundation for growth.
Noon – Lunch
1:00 pm – Evaluating & Iterating Your Startup Idea (Workshop)
Featuring: Mike Vladimer, Founder, Nascent Startups
A good startup idea is the foundation of a successful startup, yet most founders struggle to characterize the strength of their idea. In this hands-on workshop, participants will walk through a case study applying “Nascent Methodology,” a novel, unique approach to identify the earliest signals of opportunity for a startup idea. Through guided exercises, participants will search for People in Pain (an initial indication of potential customers) and will quantify the Pain in dollars ($). Founders will come away with a framework for evaluating and iteratively improving their own startup ideas.
2:30 pm – How to Pitch Your AI Startup
Featuring: Yalda Moshiri, Angel Oregon Program Director, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
This session equips AI founders with the tools and insights needed to craft a pitch that resonates with investors. Drawing from real-world investor expectations, we’ll explore how to effectively articulate your unique value proposition, demonstrate market opportunity, and highlight your technical edge.
4:00 pm – Ethics and AI
TUESDAY, JUNE 24th
9:00 am – How to Build an AI Product (Without a Tech Background)
Featuring: Greg Pothier, Senior Marketing Data Management & Enablement Manager, Google
This session empowers non-technical founders to bring their AI product ideas to life by leveraging no-code tools, outsourcing strategies, and collaborative development approaches. Participants will learn how to navigate the product development process, communicate effectively with technical teams, and make informed decisions without writing code.
10:30 am – Morning Break
10:45 am – Challenges in AI Adoption & How to Overcome Them
Featuring: Surj Patel, Consultant
This session explores common challenges AI startups face when bringing their solutions to market, including data limitations, user trust, and integration hurdles. Participants will gain practical strategies to address these obstacles and drive successful adoption across various industries.
Noon – Lunch
1:00 pm – How to Build a Winning AI Team
Featuring: Tony Seminary, CEO – IT Motives
This session dives into the key roles, skills, and dynamics needed to build a high-performing AI startup team. Participants will learn how to attract top talent, foster collaboration between technical and non-technical members, and create a culture that supports innovation and growth.
2:30 pm – Marking & Selling Your AI Product
Featuring: Greg Petrossian, Global Lead – DataStax
This session covers effective strategies for marketing and selling AI products, from identifying your target audience to crafting a value-driven message. Participants will learn how to build trust, communicate technical benefits clearly, and create go-to-market plans that drive customer adoption and growth.
4:00 pm – Learnings for an AI Literacy Startup
Featuring: Justin Coats, Founder – Neesh.AI
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25th
9:00 am – Fundraising for First-Time AI Entrepreneurs
Featuring: Jim Huston, Managing Director – Portland Seed Fund
This session provides first-time AI entrepreneurs with practical insights on how to successfully raise capital for their startups, from preparing a compelling pitch to understanding investor expectations. Participants will learn strategies for navigating different funding options, including venture capital, grants, and angel investments.
10:45 am – AI Business Models & Revenue Strategies
Featuring: Jack Phan, CEO – AirDeck AI
This session explores various AI business models and revenue strategies, helping entrepreneurs identify the best approach for their startup’s growth and sustainability. Participants will learn how to monetize AI solutions through subscription services, licensing, and other innovative methods tailored to their target market.
Noon – Lunch
1:00 pm – AI Research Underway in Oregon
Featuring: Dr. Fuxin Li, Associate Professor, Oregon State University and Dr. Banafsheh Rekabdar, Assistant Professor, Portland State University
Explore the cutting-edge AI research currently underway across Oregon’s universities, labs, and tech companies. This session will spotlight innovative projects in fields like healthcare, climate science, and ethical AI, showcasing how local researchers are driving meaningful impact.
3:15 pm – Exit Strategies & The Future of AI Startups
This session explores potential exit strategies for AI startups, including mergers, acquisitions, and IPOs, while highlighting the factors that make an AI company attractive to buyers or investors. Participants will also gain insights into the evolving landscape of AI, helping them plan for the future of their startup in a rapidly changing industry.
4:00 pm – Oregon AI Bootcamp Happy Hour
A great opportunity to unwind after the three-day bootcamp in a relaxed and informal setting. Continue to network, share ideas, and connect with fellow entrepreneurs, Bootcamp speakers, partner representatives, and sponsors.
THANK YOU PARTNERS & SPONSORS
