Oregon UAS Accelerator
Oregon UAS Accelerator is a nonprofit, state-designated Center of Innovation Excellence in Pendleton, Oregon that runs a 12-week cohort accelerator for early-stage unmanned aerial systems, robotics, and autonomy startups, providing testing access, defense partnerships, mentorship, and non-dilutive grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersPendleton, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Oregon UAS Accelerator does
Oregon UAS Accelerator is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit startup accelerator headquartered in Pendleton, Oregon, operating as a State of Oregon-designated Center of Innovation Excellence under the oversight of Business Oregon. Founded in 2023, the organization runs a 12-week cohort-based program for early-stage founders building uncrewed aerial systems, robotics, autonomy, counter-UAS, and dual-use technologies, serving approximately 35 companies in its most recent cohort across defense, public safety, infrastructure, logistics, agriculture, advanced air mobility, and maritime verticals. The core offering combines structured curriculum, business and technical mentorship, workspace access at the Pendleton facility, and structured pathways into the Pendleton UAS Range's 14,000+ square miles of FAA-approved airspace and 33,000 square feet of innovation space.
The accelerator's platform is anchored by formal partnerships with the Oregon Military Department (via a January 2026 MOU tied to the Drone Dominance Task Force), Numurus (providing NEPI edge-AI software), OMIC R&D (advanced manufacturing scale-up), Lockheed Martin, Insitu, and a network of Pacific Northwest venture capital firms including Voyager Capital, Portland Seed Fund, and Oregon Venture Fund. Cohort companies receive a $5,000 non-dilutive completion subgrant plus access to performance-aligned recognition funding, with prior cohort packages valued at approximately $165,000 per company including flight testing access.
The business model is grant- and sponsorship-funded rather than transaction-based: primary funding flows from Business Oregon and Oregon Lottery, supplemented by corporate sponsorships, in-kind contributions, and ecosystem partnerships. The accelerator does not charge fees to participating startups and does not take equity. Tracked programmatic outcomes to date include 35 companies supported, 124.5 jobs created or retained, $4.59 million in capital raised by portfolio companies across earlier cohorts, and $18.5 million raised collectively by 2026 cohort companies entering the Innovation Showcase.
Oregon UAS Accelerator firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Oregon UAS Accelerator
- Legal name
- Oregon UAS Accelerator
- Website
- https://oregonuas.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Oregon UAS Accelerator is a nonprofit, state-designated Center of Innovation Excellence in Pendleton, Oregon that runs a 12-week cohort accelerator for early-stage unmanned aerial systems, robotics, and autonomy startups, providing testing access, defense partnerships, mentorship, and non-dilutive grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Oregon UAS Accelerator industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Accelerator Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid) (IMABAIAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH), Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms (IMABAMAC), UAS Launch/Recovery & Support Equipment (Catapults, Nets, Docking) (IMABAIAN)
Keywords
Where Oregon UAS Accelerator is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pendleton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Oregon UAS Accelerator business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Non-Dilutive Grants to Cohort Companies: The accelerator provides non-dilutive funding to participating startups in the form of completion subgrants ($5,000 for Fall 2026 cohort). This is a cost to the accelerator, not a revenue stream. Funding comes from government grants (Business Oregon, Oregon Lottery) and sponsorships.
- Sponsorship and Partnership Revenue: Organizations provide financial support, strategic collaboration, in-kind contributions, or ecosystem partnership to the accelerator. Partners include corporations, service providers, technology companies, investors, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and government-aligned entities. Partnerships may be annual or focused on specific events/initiatives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One-time | 12-week cohort program with $5,000 non-dilutive completion subgrant |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Oregon UAS Accelerator product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Oregon UAS Accelerator runs a 12-week high-touch cohort program for founders building unmanned aerial systems, robotics, and autonomy technologies. The offering bundles structured curriculum, business and technical mentorship, workspace and facilities access in Pendleton, Oregon, a non-dilutive $5,000 completion subgrant, investor and SBIR/STTR readiness support, and a culminating UAS Innovation Showcase event. Cohort companies gain pathways to real-world testing through the Pendleton UAS Range partnership (14,000+ square miles of FAA-approved airspace) and defense/dual-use market access via collaboration with the Oregon Military Department.
Product overview
The Oregon UAS Accelerator is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit accelerator program (not a software product) that provides a unified 12-week cohort experience for uncrewed systems, robotics, and autonomy founders. The core program combines structured accelerator curriculum, mentorship access, workspace/facilities, testing pathways through the Pendleton UAS Range, and a culminating Innovation Showcase event. The program includes a $5,000 non-dilutive completion subgrant as a financial incentive. The accelerator operates as a single integrated service offering rather than a modular software platform, focused on helping startups move from prototype to pilots, partnerships, and funding readiness in defense, public-safety, infrastructure, and dual-use markets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Oregon UAS Accelerator Program A 12-week high-touch accelerator program for founders building unmanned aerial systems, robotics, and autonomy technologies. Provides structured curriculum, mentor access, testing pathways through the Pendleton UAS Range, business and investor readiness support, workspace access, and a $5,000 non-dilutive completion subgrant. Targets early-stage startups at TRL 3 or above.
- UAS Innovation Showcase The culminating competitive event of each cohort where startups deliver live investor pitches before a panel of judges, strategic partners, and government procurement officials. Serves as the primary investor connection mechanism for cohort companies.
- $5,000 Completion Subgrant Non-dilutive funding of $5,000 provided to cohort companies that meet attendance and assignment requirements, participate in required in-person events, and deliver their final showcase pitch. Includes a performance-aligned recognition pool for top-performing companies.
- Workspace and Facilities Access Shared office space, meeting facilities, privacy cubicles, and lab resources at the Pendleton, Oregon headquarters designed to support company growth, collaboration, and operational readiness for cohort companies.
- Mentor Network Volunteer business mentors and technical mentors providing practical guidance on strategy, fundraising, commercialization, UAS development, testing, regulatory issues, and sector-specific problem solving for cohort companies.
Quantifiable outcome
- 35 companies supported in previous cohort
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Oregon UAS Accelerator
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Oregon UAS Accelerator technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Oregon UAS Accelerator partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- NumuruscoreStrategic partnership to provide NEPI edge-AI software engine to cohort companies. NEPI offers ready-to-use software environment for edge computers, plug-and-play drivers for sensors/cameras/navigation, data logging tools, and AI/autonomy orchestration. Companies receive access to NEPI software container, documentation, tutorials, direct support, and engineering services for integration.
- Oregon Military DepartmentcoreStrategic Memorandum of Understanding signed January 7, 2026 to advance uncrewed systems innovation, training, and workforce development. Focus areas include innovation at military installations, workforce development through Oregon universities and community colleges, competitions, advanced manufacturing, and dual-use technology development. Aligned with Oregon National Guard's Drone Dominance strategy. Non-binding framework coordinated through Drone Dominance Task Force.
- Pendleton UAS RangecorePrimary testing partner providing access to 14,000+ square miles of FAA-approved airspace, 33,000 square feet of innovation space, 16 UAS test pads with water/power/fiber, UAS-friendly air traffic control, mobile command centers, machine shop, and 160-acre industrial park. Creates pathways for cohort companies to test, validate, and demonstrate systems in real-world conditions.
- OMIC R&DcoreOMIC R&D (Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center) provides advanced manufacturing research and workforce development resources. Cohort includes two-day visit to OMIC R&D in Scappoose as required in-person component. Supports manufacturing pathways and scaling for cohort companies.
- Lockheed MartinmajorMajor defense technology company listed as partner/sponsor supporting the accelerator ecosystem. Provides industry perspective, potential mentorship, and defense market connections for cohort companies.
- InsitumajorUAS manufacturer and Boeing subsidiary listed as partner/sponsor. Brings industry expertise, potential testing partnerships, and defense market access for cohort companies.
- University of OregonmajorOregon public university and ecosystem partner. Supports workforce development, research collaboration, and talent pipeline for UAS ecosystem.
- Oregon State UniversitymajorOregon public university and ecosystem partner. Supports research, workforce development, and academic collaboration in UAS and autonomy.
- AutodeskmajorSoftware company providing design and manufacturing tools. Sponsor supporting cohort companies with software access and technical resources.
- AUVSI Cascade ChaptermajorPacific Northwest regional chapter of Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International. Co-hosts AUVSI Cascade Spring Symposium with accelerator and Pendleton UAS Range. Provides industry connection and event platform.
- South Korea Aviation Delegation PartnersmajorOregon-US Aviation Delegation (July 26-30, 2026) co-hosted with Business Oregon and Oregon Department of Aviation. Partners include: Tillamook UAS, Aerostar, Overwatch Imaging, Port of Tillamook Bay, Greater Portland, Green Tech Alliance. Showcases Oregon's UAS/AAM ecosystem to South Korean aviation leaders including MOLIT and KIAST.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Oregon UAS Accelerator competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NUAIR (Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance): New York-based alliance managing the NY UAS Test Site with FAA-authorized airspace, industry partnerships, and startup ecosystem programs. Operates a similar test-range-plus-incubator model for UAS startups targeting dual-use markets.
- Genius NY: One of the largest UAS-focused business accelerators in the US, based in Syracuse, NY at the NY UAS Test Site. Operates a cohort-based program with significant cash prizes, shared workspace, and testing infrastructure — directly comparable to Oregon UAS Accelerator's cohort + test-range model.
Others
- AUVSI (Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International): Industry association for the uncrewed systems community that runs XPONENTIAL, advocacy, and ecosystem programs (including the Cascade Chapter that co-hosts events with Oregon UAS). Not a direct accelerator competitor but a critical adjacent ecosystem player.
Broad incumbents
- AFWERX: U.S. Air Force innovation arm that runs defense-tech accelerator/prize programs (including Agility Prime for UAS) supporting startups with SBIR/STTR funding, testing facilities, and defense procurement pathways. Much larger scale and federal backing than Oregon UAS, but serves overlapping UAS/defense founders.
- Plug and Play Tech Center (Mobility & Aerospace): Global innovation platform with aerospace, mobility, and brand-retail accelerator verticals, partnering with major corporations (including Boeing). Provides corporate-startup connectivity comparable to Oregon UAS's sponsor-driven showcase model.
- Techstars (Defense/Space and Industry Programs): Large global accelerator network with defense, space, and advanced-mobility verticals offering cohort programs, mentorship, and investor access. Less specialized in UAS hardware than Oregon UAS but competes for the same dual-use founders.
- MassChallenge (Defense & Aerospace vertical): Global nonprofit accelerator with defense and aerospace programs partnering with DoD and primes (Lockheed Martin, Raytheon). Competes for early-stage defense and dual-use founders but offers a broader, less UAS-tailored curriculum.
Regional players
- Drone Fund / DRONE FUND 3 (Japan): Japan's first and largest UAS-focused venture capital / accelerator program, investing in drone-related startups globally. Comparable UAS-domain focus but geographically distant; an emerging international peer given Oregon's South Korea delegation strategy.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights8 records
Customer concentration
Oregon UAS Accelerator social profiles
Digital presenceOregon UAS Accelerator financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Oregon UAS Accelerator leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Oregon UAS Accelerator funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Oregon UAS Accelerator M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments8 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Oregon UAS Accelerator
What does Oregon UAS Accelerator do?
The Oregon UAS Accelerator runs a 12-week high-touch cohort program for founders building unmanned aerial systems, robotics, and autonomy technologies. The offering bundles structured curriculum, business and technical mentorship, workspace and facilities access in Pendleton, Oregon, a non-dilutive $5,000 completion subgrant, investor and SBIR/STTR readiness support, and a culminating UAS Innovation Showcase event. Cohort companies gain pathways to real-world testing through the Pendleton UAS Range partnership (14,000+ square miles of FAA-approved airspace) and defense/dual-use market access via collaboration with the Oregon Military Department.
Is Oregon UAS Accelerator a public or private company?
Oregon UAS Accelerator is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Oregon UAS Accelerator founded?
Oregon UAS Accelerator was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Oregon UAS Accelerator based?
Oregon UAS Accelerator is headquartered in Pendleton, United States, in the North America region.
How does Oregon UAS Accelerator make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Non-Dilutive Grants to Cohort Companies are the primary driver. The others are sponsorship and Partnership Revenue.
Who are Oregon UAS Accelerator's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NUAIR (Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance) and Genius NY. AUVSI (Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International) is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are AFWERX, Plug and Play Tech Center (Mobility & Aerospace), Techstars (Defense/Space and Industry Programs) and MassChallenge (Defense & Aerospace vertical). Drone Fund / DRONE FUND 3 (Japan) is listed as a regional player.
Does Oregon UAS Accelerator have an API?
No public API is recorded for Oregon UAS Accelerator.
What industry is Oregon UAS Accelerator in?
Oregon UAS Accelerator's product category is Startup Accelerator Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAIAO, UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid), with a secondary code of IMABAIAH, Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 3812.