Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network

What Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network does

RAIN Catalysts (Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 and headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, that builds inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems for rural and underrepresented founders in the Pacific Northwest. Its core offering is not a software product but a distributed service delivery model: Entrepreneurship Navigators are embedded in 52 communities across Oregon, Washington, and Pakistan to deliver free 1:1 advising, accelerators (Tech Accelerator, Rural CREATOR, MONEYmaker), workshops (Tech Talk), networking events, and resource navigation. The organization's technology footprint is intentionally light — the only notable platform is RAINcap, a place-based crowdfunding initiative hosted on Republic that enables Oregon startups to raise capital via Regulation CF.

RAIN generates no program revenue from entrepreneurs; all services are free. Funding is composed of a layered grant stack: federal grants from the U.S. EDA (notably a $748,833 SPRINT Challenge award in 2021) and the U.S. Department of State (Pakistan gender-equity initiative, 2022), state funding from Oregon ($5.4M cumulative toward The Innovation Hub at UO and The Advantage Accelerator at OSU), local government contributions from 18 Oregon cities and 3 counties, foundation grants (Collins, Ford Family, Oregon Community, Roundhouse, Lemelson), and modest corporate sponsorships ($250–$1,000 tiers). The organization has served close to 2,000 entrepreneurs since inception (64% women), incubated nearly 400 (68% women, 22% BIPOC), and runs annual cohorts of 66–76 founders with explicit demographic targets for women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ representation. As of March 2024, Rachel Jagoda Brunette serves as CEO, succeeding founder Caroline Cummings.

Name

Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network

Legal name

Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network

Website

https://raincatalysts.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RAIN Catalysts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free accelerators, advising, and ecosystem programs to rural and underrepresented entrepreneurs across Oregon, Washington, and Pakistan, funded by federal, state, foundation, and local government grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneurship Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA), Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM), Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

Keywords

• Rural entrepreneurship support
• Startup accelerator programs
• Business advising services
• Underrepresented founder programs
• Ecosystem development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Eugene

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Federal Grants: Primary revenue from federal agencies including U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) SPRINT Challenge grants and U.S. Department of State grants for international programs. These grants fund specific programs and initiatives.
2. State Funding: Funding from State of Oregon for regional incubator/accelerator spaces and programs, including contributions to The Innovation Hub at University of Oregon and The Advantage Accelerator at Oregon State University.
3. Local Government Contributions: Support from Oregon cities including Florence, Cottage Grove, Creswell, Oakridge, Veneta, and others, as well as Lane, Grant, and Benton counties for local programming.
4. Foundation & Private Grants: Funding from foundations including The Collins Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation, and The Roundhouse Foundation.
5. Corporate Sponsorships & Donations: Bronze ($250), Silver ($500), Gold ($1,000) sponsorship tiers offering newsletter recognition and event benefits. Also accepts tax-deductible donations (501(c)3 status, EIN 46-5544340).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

RAIN provides free accelerator programs, 1:1 expert business advising, workshops, and networking events for rural and underrepresented entrepreneurs across Oregon, Washington, and Pakistan. Core offerings include the Tech Accelerator for underrepresented tech entrepreneurs, the Rural CREATOR Accelerator for creative entrepreneurs, the MONEYmaker Financial Accelerator for business finance skills, and the RAINcap crowdfunding platform for capital access.

Product overview

RAIN (Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates as an ecosystem builder offering multiple accelerator programs and support services rather than a single unified software product. The core offerings include the Tech Accelerator for underrepresented tech entrepreneurs, the Rural CREATOR Accelerator for creative entrepreneurs, the MONEYmaker Financial Accelerator for business finance education, and RAINcap (a crowdfunding platform built on Republic) for capital access. Supporting services include 1:1 expert business advising, workshop series like Tech Talk, and local networking events. Programs are offered free to participants in Oregon and Washington communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cascades West Innovation Hub: Regional innovation hub operated by RAIN Catalysts serving Benton, Lane, Lincoln, and Linn Counties, providing 1:1 navigation, resource referrals, and ecosystem connections for innovators and traded-sector businesses.
• Rural Creator Accelerator
• Biotech Showcase

Products and services

• Tech Accelerator A 10-week intensive accelerator program designed to empower underrepresented tech entrepreneurs by providing access to capital, mentorship, and networks to help diverse tech startups scale and innovate effectively.
• Rural CREATOR Accelerator A free virtual accelerator for artists, designers, makers, and creative entrepreneurs to turn creativity into sustainable, profitable businesses through monthly workshops, networking cohorts, and bilingual programming.
• MONEYmaker Financial Accelerator A free 10-week online financial accelerator program for entrepreneurs, startups, and small business owners focused on budgeting, pricing, capital raising, cash flow management, and record-keeping fundamentals.
• RAINcap (RAIN Capital Access Program) A place-based crowdfunding pilot project hosted on the Republic platform that enables Oregon startups to raise capital using debt, equity, and hybrid instruments via Regulation CF, allowing investments from as little as $100.
• Biotech Showcase An annual showcase event highlighting biotech research, education, startups, and companies in the Willamette Valley region, featuring keynote speakers, company panels, and networking opportunities.
• Tech Talk Workshops for entrepreneurs covering online presence optimization including Google Business Profile, local SEO, website maintenance, and digital marketing fundamentals.
• 1:1 Expert Business Advising One-on-one mentorship with expert business advisors to help entrepreneurs with business planning, growth strategies, resource navigation, and business acquisition or exit support.
• Entrepreneur Networking Events Local networking events and meetups connecting entrepreneurs with peers, mentors, and local leadership to foster collaboration and community building.

Quantifiable outcome

• Close to 2,000 entrepreneurs assisted since 2014 (64% women)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Biotech CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Organization bridging gaps for underserved biotech entrepreneurs. Partnership for Willamette Valley Biotech Showcase 2025 event connecting biotech companies with talent and investors.
• Western University of Health SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Host venue for Willamette Valley Biotech Showcase 2025 in Lebanon, Oregon. Site of notable investments from Samaritan Health Services and Linn Benton Community College collaboration.
• Portland Seed FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership to facilitate funding opportunities for Tech Accelerator graduates. Portland Seed Fund provides investment consideration for eligible graduates and sponsored $1,500 cash prize at Demo Day pitch competition.
• International Economic Development Council (IEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023RAIN joined IEDC's U.S. EDA-funded Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) program. RAIN delivers training on community-based engagement and stakeholder engagement for Fellows placed in economic development organizations nationwide.
• Rural Economic Alliance (REAL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Coalition of rural communities in Linn and Benton Counties. Co-hosts REAL Entrepreneurs Showcase and coordinates unified development strategies for the region.
• Bahria University (Islamabad)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022One of three Pakistani university partners in a U.S. State Department-funded project to advance gender equity at university incubation centers. Part of a two-year initiative to build inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems supporting Pakistani women entrepreneurs.
• Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South University (COMSATS) (Islamabad)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022Partner university in Pakistan gender equity project. RAIN will train university partners on its investigative-not-prescriptive model for inclusive entrepreneur-led programming.
• Fatima Jinnah Women University (Rawalpindi)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022Pakistan's first all-women university where RAIN and partners will develop the first all-women business incubator. Core partner in U.S. State Department-funded gender equity initiative.
• RepubliccoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Platform partner for RAIN Capital Access Program (RAINcap), a place-based crowdfunding initiative enabling Oregon startups to raise capital using debt, equity, and hybrid instruments via Regulation CF.
• Palo Alto SoftwareminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Provider of LivePlan business plan software. Provided 3-month subscriptions to MONEYmaker accelerator graduates as a program benefit.
• University of OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Partner for The Innovation Hub located at University of Oregon in Eugene. RAIN helped create and scale this regional incubator/accelerator space and programs.
• Oregon State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Partner for The Advantage Accelerator at Oregon State University in Corvallis. RAIN helped create and scale this regional incubator/accelerator space and programs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MassChallenge: Global nonprofit accelerator running equity-free programs for early-stage founders across multiple verticals and geographies. Directly comparable to RAIN as a nonprofit, cohort-driven accelerator model funded largely by corporate and government partners rather than equity.
• Village Capital: Nonprofit venture firm that supports early-stage entrepreneurs through cohorts and peer-selected investment, with strong emphasis on impact measurement and underrepresented founders. Comparable to RAIN in nonprofit funding model, founder-development focus, and outcomes-driven programming.
• gener8tor: Accelerator network running multiple cohort-based programs across U.S. cities, often in partnership with regional economic development organizations and corporations. Closely comparable to RAIN's multi-vertical, cohort-based accelerator model with state/corporate funding.
• 1871: Chicago-based nonprofit technology hub and incubator that provides programs, advising, and community events to early-stage founders. Directly comparable to RAIN as a nonprofit, ecosystem-builder organization delivering free accelerators, workshops, and navigator-style 1:1 advising.
• DigitalUndivided: Nonprofit focused on catalyzing Black and Latina women entrepreneurs through programs, research, and ecosystem partnerships. Highly comparable to RAIN's equity-based, diversity-focused accelerator offerings and serving of the BIPOC/women founder segment.
• Echoing Green: Nonprofit organization that supports emerging social entrepreneurs through fellowships, training, and community. Comparable to RAIN in nonprofit mission orientation, training-and-advising model, and focus on founders from underrepresented backgrounds.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global for-profit accelerator network running equity-funded cohort programs for technology startups. Comparable to RAIN's cohort accelerator format, but operates at significantly larger scale with for-profit equity structure as a contrast.
• Y Combinator: Preeminent global startup accelerator providing seed funding, mentorship, and demo days to early-stage companies. Comparable to RAIN as a cohort accelerator, but operates at vastly larger scale with equity-based for-profit model.

Regional players

• Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN): Oregon-based nonprofit supporting high-growth entrepreneurs through events, mentorship, and capital connections. Direct regional comparable to RAIN with overlapping service to Oregon founders, though focused more on high-growth scale-ups than rural/underrepresented founders.

Emerging players

• SoGal Ventures: Global venture firm and ecosystem platform supporting diverse and underestimated founders through accelerators and capital. Comparable to RAIN's focus on women and BIPOC founders, though more venture-investment oriented than RAIN's nonprofit operating model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCLgZKwZuVNzJUEtcfIOBuhg
• Facebookfacebook.com/raincatalysts.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/raincatalysts
• Instagraminstagram.com/raincatalysts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network