What Built Oregon does

Built Oregon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014 and headquartered at 1355 NW Everett St. #100 in Portland, Oregon. Its stated mission is to champion, connect, and support the people behind Oregon's consumer brands; the organization operates as what source material describes as the country's first not-for-profit consumer product accelerator, providing community infrastructure and programs for Oregon-based entrepreneurs launching consumer packaged goods brands. There is no proprietary technology platform — the underlying "product" is the curated programming, mentorship network, and retailer relationships developed over 11 years.

The organization's offerings span a 10-week Level Up Accelerator, a Retail Pitch Program connecting emerging brands with regional retailers (New Seasons, Market of Choice, World Foods, and Tender Loving Empire), a Farmer's Market Program providing no-cost direct-to-consumer marketplace access (PSU Farmers Market), and equity-focused accelerators including the Black Business Accelerator (launched 2022 via Meyer Memorial Trust's Justice Oregon for Black Lives initiative) and the Bridges Accelerator (launched 2023 with Prosper Portland's Inclusive Business Resource Network). Community events include the annual Built Festival (held every year since 2017), She Flies (women founders), and Pitch Black (Black entrepreneurs). Supporting infrastructure includes a Built Oregon Directory listing 100+ member companies across Apparel, Beverages, Food, Gifts, and Health and Beauty categories, an advisor and mentor network, educational workshops covering COGS, social media, and Lean Manufacturing, and a Built Marketplace ecommerce site launched in 2020 during the pandemic. All accelerator programs are delivered at no cost and without taking equity from participating companies.

Built Oregon funds operations through individual and corporate donations, event revenue (general admission tickets priced $45-$125), and corporate sponsorships from entities including OnPoint Community Credit Union, Revant Optics, New Seasons, Prosper Portland, Smith Brothers, Travel Oregon, and Travel Portland. Grant-supported activity includes cumulative deployment of over $300,000 to Black-owned businesses and prior grant funding from the Oregon Community Foundation ($50,000, 2019) and Nike/Jordan BCC Community Grants (2023). The organization operates with a 1-10 employee team led by Executive Director Katharine Reinhold (transitioned from Board Chair in June 2025) and Director of Mission Engagement Shauna Noah, with Karmen Olson as the new Board Chair from June 2025.

Name

Built Oregon

Legal name

Built Oregon

Website

https://builtoregon.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Built Oregon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Portland, Oregon, operating the country's first not-for-profit consumer product accelerator. It supports Oregon consumer brand founders through the Level Up Accelerator, retail pitch program, farmers markets, mentorship, and the annual Built Festival.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: Built Oregon accepts individual and corporate donations via credit card or wire transfer. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that channels charitable support to empower Oregon consumer product businesses.
2. Event Revenue: The Built Festival and other events generate operating capital for the nonprofit organization through ticket sales. General admission tickets typically range from $45-$125.
3. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors sponsor events and back Built's mission at various levels. Sponsors include OnPoint Community Credit Union, Revant Optics, New Seasons, Prosper Portland, Smith Brothers, Odd Notion, City of Beaverton, Travel Oregon, and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Built Oregon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates accelerator programs, workshops, events, and retail-access programs to support early-stage consumer product companies in Oregon. Its flagship offerings include the Level Up Accelerator, Retail Pitch Program, Farmer's Market Program, Bridges Accelerator, Black Business Accelerator, and the annual Built Festival, all delivered at no cost and without taking equity from participating founders.

Product overview

Built Oregon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a community support ecosystem for Oregon's consumer products companies. The organization offers multiple interconnected programs including the Level Up Accelerator Program (10-week intensive), Farmer's Market Program (direct-to-consumer sales platform), Retail Pitch Program (retailer connections), Bridges Accelerator (underrepresented founders), Black Business Accelerator, and annual events including the Built Festival, She Flies (women founders), and Pitch Black (Black entrepreneurs). Additional offerings include the Built Marketplace ecommerce site, Built Oregon Directory, mentor network, and educational workshops. The programs are provided at no cost with no equity taken, funded by donations and festival revenue.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Level Up Accelerator Program An intensive 10-week accelerator program for consumer products companies new to retail, bringing in experts to discuss topics from in-store demos to understanding margins. Inspired by partnerships with regional retailers New Seasons, Market of Choice, World Foods, and Tender Loving Empire.
• Farmer's Market Program

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Built Oregon collaborated with OEN for their February 2026 Pub Talk event on 'Turning Great Ideas into a Real CPG Company.'
• OMEP (Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2026Partnered with OMEP and Metro Region Innovation Hub to host a hands-on Lean Manufacturing Workshop in January 2026.
• Metro Region Innovation HubminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2026Venue partner for workshops including COGS workshop and Lean Manufacturing Training. Located at 2130 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97201.
• Prosper Portland IBRNcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Prosper Portland's Inclusive Business Resource Network partnered with Built Oregon to launch the inaugural Bridges Accelerator program in 2023.
• PIE (Portland Incubator Experiment)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Portland Incubator Experiment is Built Oregon's sister organization. The accelerator program is a collaboration with PIE, which helped launch the country's first not-for-profit consumer product accelerator.
• New Seasons MarketcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor regional grocery retailer and key retail partner for Built Oregon. Companies completing the accelerator program gain access to shelf space at New Seasons.
• Market of ChoicecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional grocery retailer and retail partner. Accelerator companies gain access to retail placement through this partnership.
• World FoodscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional specialty food retailer and partner in Built Oregon's retail access programs.
• Tender Loving EmpirecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional retailer and partner providing retail placement opportunities for Built Oregon member companies.
• Hacienda CDCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for outreach to underrepresented consumer product companies.
• NAYA PDXminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner organization working with Built Oregon on equity initiatives.
• Soul DistrictminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for outreach to underrepresented entrepreneurs.
• APANOminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAsian Pacific American Network of Oregon community partner for equity initiatives.
• Camp YoshiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization partnering with Built Oregon for Black community events and founder connections.
• Soul RiverminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization co-founded by Chad Brown, partnering with Built Oregon for events connecting Black founders and leaders.
• Travel PortlandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPortland's destination marketing organization has been an ongoing sponsor and supporter of the Built Festival since 2017, helping position Oregon as a leader in consumer product entrepreneurship.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global startup accelerator operating multiple industry-specific programs, including CPG/food tracks. Comparable in accelerator mechanics, mentorship, and demo-day format, but at vastly greater scale and with an equity-based model.
• SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives): National nonprofit providing free mentorship, workshops, and resources to small business owners. Comparable as a large-scale, no-cost founder support organization, though broader in scope than Built Oregon's CPG focus.

Direct peers

• VertueLab: Oregon-headquartered nonprofit startup accelerator focused on climate-positive and consumer-impact ventures. Comparable as a regional, mission-driven accelerator offering cohort programs and mentorship to Oregon founders.
• The Hatchery Chicago: Chicago-based nonprofit food and beverage incubator offering kitchen space, programming, and accelerator services to early-stage CPG founders. Comparable as a nonprofit CPG/food founder support organization.
• Independent We Stand: National movement and community supporting independent retailers and small businesses. Comparable as a community-building organization that elevates independent consumer brands and local commerce.
• Food-X: Food industry-focused accelerator that runs cohort programs and demo days for early-stage CPG founders. Comparable as a structured accelerator specifically targeting consumer packaged goods companies.
• Portland Incubator Experiment (PIE): Sister organization of Built Oregon, PIE is a Portland-based startup experiment/accelerator that helped co-launch Built Oregon's consumer product accelerator. Directly comparable in mission and Portland footprint.
• Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN): Oregon-based nonprofit that supports entrepreneurs through education, networking, and programs such as Pub Talks. Highly comparable to Built Oregon as a regional founder-support organization serving the same Oregon startup community.

Others

• New Seasons Market: Regional Pacific Northwest grocery chain and core retail partner that gives Built Oregon member companies shelf access. Comparable as a key channel partner in the same consumer products ecosystem, though not a direct peer in services.
• Prosper Portland: City of Portland's economic development agency and partner in launching Built Oregon's Bridges Accelerator. Comparable as a regional economic development organization working to grow inclusive, place-based entrepreneurship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLKwffPL2Jje_LDK_8gr4sO2o_spXp-R0r
• Xx.com/builtoregon
• Facebookfacebook.com/builtoregon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/built-oregon

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments13 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Built Oregon