About the Oregon UAS Accelerator
The Oregon UAS Accelerator is Oregon’s Center of Innovation Excellence for unmanned aerial and robotics technologies, designed to empower startups and innovators through a hybrid, results-driven accelerator framework. Each year, 25–27 companies participate in a comprehensive program combining virtual curriculum, in-person events, focused mentorship, and hands-on flight testing at the Pendleton UAS Test Range.
Mission & Focus
Our mission is to position Oregon and Pendleton as global leaders in UAS and robotics innovation, fostering inclusive economic growth, novel industry partnerships, and sustainable dual-use technology development. The program prioritizes founders and teams bringing diverse, rural, and underserved perspectives, as well as innovation with broad community impact.
What We Offer
Participants benefit from:
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A comprehensive 12-week hybrid curriculum with two primary tracks:
- Business and Investor Readiness, focused on market assessment, business modeling, pitch development, and investment strategy.
- SBIR Grant Curriculum, offering hands-on workshops and assignments to prepare successful SBIR grant applications for federal funding.
- Open mentor hours and targeted individual mentoring each week, providing direct access to industry experts for technical, business, and commercialization advice.
- Additional webinars covering key business and technical topics beyond the core curriculum, ensuring broad exposure to current trends, challenges, and opportunities in UAS and robotics.
- Structured pitch preparation and practice—a central part of the Business and Investor Readiness course—culminating in the Hybrid Pitch event and intensive personalized mentoring ahead of the final Innovation Summit pitch competition.
- Non-dilutive grants awarded at program milestones, with typical disbursements ranging from $5,000 to $9,000 as participants progress through each stage, helping teams build momentum and scale without sacrificing equity.
- Flexible access to Pendleton UAS Test Range, office, and lab facilities for graduates and finalists, including up to six months of test time and workspace to validate, iterate, and commercialize new technologies.
- Connections to industry, government, and investors through networking events, interactive pitch sessions, and showcase opportunities, accelerating customer engagement and raising visibility for cutting-edge teams.
- Ongoing alumni support to maintain continued access to facilities, mentorship, and investor networks, empowering teams as they grow and diversify in the marketplace.
Program Structure
The Accelerator is structured around four core phases:
- Curriculum and group learning
- Hybrid pitch showcase and competitive selection
- Finalist pitch camp and flight test plan development
- Innovation Summit: public pitch event and awards
Throughout each stage, companies receive support to advance technical readiness, validate their business, and secure funding. Participation requires engagement in weekly activities, at least one in-person event, and commitment to an inclusive entrepreneurial community.
Who Should Apply
Open to UAS and robotics startups (TRL 3+), the Accelerator welcomes Oregon-based companies and those with clear intent to grow and operate in Oregon. Special emphasis is placed on teams representing women, rural, tribal, and underserved founders, as well as startups committed to local hiring and impact.
Meet Our Team
Led by Executive Director Joseph Wyno—a seasoned entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience—the Oregon UAS Accelerator team is dedicated to fostering innovation in unmanned systems technology. Our mentors include industry leaders from aerospace, defense, agriculture, construction, and other sectors who provide tailored guidance to help startups succeed.
Facilities & Partnerships
Startups work out of state-of-the-art test and office facilities of the Oregon UAS Accelerator and the Pendleton UAS Test Range, supported by expert staff and partnered organizations such as Autodesk, Sigma Design, Lockheed Martin, and AUVSI Cascade.
These collaborations fuel technical validation and commercial growth across sectors including agriculture, defense, infrastructure, and logisticss
