JULY 19, 2026
APPLICATION DEADLINE
JULY 31, 2026
ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATIONS
AUGUST 26, 2026
COHORT BEGINS
VIRTUAL & PENDLETON, OR
LOCATION
Who Should Apply?
This cohort is designed for founders, co-founders, and technical leaders developing uncrewed aerial, ground, or maritime systems, as well as enabling autonomy, AI, sensing, communications, payload, and mission software technologies. It is best suited to startups at the prototype, MVP, or early validation stage, generally around TRL 3 or above, with a clear commercial, public-sector, homeland security, or defense use case.
We prioritize Oregon-based startups and teams committed to building a meaningful Oregon footprint, while also welcoming domestic and international companies interested in soft-landing, testing, and scaling in the state.
You may be a strong fit if
- You have a working prototype, early MVP, or strong validation plan.
- You need testing, pilot readiness, or real-world validation support.
- You are preparing for investor conversations, SBIR/STTR, or other grant opportunities.
- You are navigating regulatory, compliance, or dual-use complexity.
- You want structured mentorship, accountability, and stronger commercialization support.
OREGON UAS ACCELERATOR
What You Get
The Fall 2026 cohort combines structured accelerator programming, practical founder support, and access to Oregon’s unmanned systems ecosystem. The goal is not just to help you learn, but to help you make measurable progress toward traction, partnerships, funding readiness, and market credibility.
What founders receive:
- Structured accelerator curriculum and coaching.
- Business and investor readiness support, including pitch development and financial strategy.
- SBIR/STTR and grant-readiness guidance for non-dilutive funding pathways.
- Technical, commercial, and regulatory mentorship.
- Introductions to ecosystem partners, pilot pathways, and aligned stakeholders.
- A final UAS Innovation Showcase with investors, strategic partners, and subject-matter experts.
Program focus areas include:
- Business model, unit economics, traction, and KPIs.
- Financial projections, capital strategy, and investor readiness.
- IP, regulatory risk, and commercialization planning.
- Grant readiness, proposal development, budgeting, and submission strategy.
- Deep dives on defense, public safety, infrastructure, manufacturing, and sector-specific go-to-market pathways.
Program Snapshot
The program opens with a required three-day orientation in Pendleton on August 19–21, 2026, followed by 12 weeks of hybrid programming beginning August 26, 2026. Founders are expected to attend at least 85 percent of required programming, complete weekly deliverables, and fully participate in the program’s core milestones.
Important dates
- Applications open: May 4, 2026.
- Applications close: July 19, 2026.
- Acceptance notifications: July 31, 2026.
- Orientation in Pendleton: August 19–21, 2026.
- Core programming begins: August 26, 2026.
- Two-day visit to OMIC R&D in Scappoose: October 2026.
- UAS Innovation Showcase: November 18, 2026.
Required participation
- Attendance at the three-day orientation in Pendleton.
- Participation in the UAS Innovation Showcase final pitch event.
- Completion of assignments and weekly deliverables.
All companies that meet attendance and assignment requirements advance to the final pitch stage; there are no elimination rounds.
Funding and Selection
The program is designed to provide meaningful founder support while maintaining clear expectations tied to participation and completion. Founder support includes a $5,000 non-dilutive completion subgrant for companies that meet attendance and assignment requirements, participate in required in-person events, and deliver their final showcase pitch.
A performance-aligned recognition pool will be available to provide additional non-dilutive support to the top-performing companies in the program (additional details will be provided in the final program guidelines). All support is subject to final program rules, written criteria, and applicable compliance requirements.
Applications are evaluated based on
- Technical readiness and innovation fit.
- Market potential and commercialization opportunity.
- Team experience and capability.
- Oregon business footprint or commitment.
- Diversity, rural, tribal, or underserved impact.
Priority consideration may be given to Oregon-based companies in alignment with program goals.
OREGON UAS ACCELERATOR
FAQs
Who should apply?
Founders building UAS, robotics, autonomy, AI-enabled systems, sensing technologies, payloads, mission software, and related enabling technologies are the strongest fit for the program.
Do I need to be based in Oregon?
Not necessarily, but a clear or emerging Oregon footprint matters, and the program prioritizes Oregon-based startups and companies committed to expansion in the state.
Is the program virtual or in person?
It is a hybrid program, but Orientation in Pendleton, the OMIC R&D trip in Scappoose, and the UAS Innovation Showcase are required in-person milestones.
What sectors are a fit?
The program supports commercial, public-sector, homeland security, and defense applications, including counter-UAS, public safety, infrastructure, logistics, agriculture, energy, advanced manufacturing, and dual-use autonomy.
What happens at the end of the program?
All qualifying cohort companies pitch at the UAS Innovation Showcase in front of investors, strategic partners, and subject-matter experts.
Can this help with dual-use and government pathways?
Yes. The accelerator supports dual-use technologies and has a formal collaboration framework with the Oregon Military Department focused on innovation, testing, training realism, and joint funding opportunities, though any specific activities involving installations or resources require separate agreements.
Ready to Build Faster in Oregon’s UAS Ecosystem?
If your company is building the future of uncrewed systems, robotics, or autonomy, the Fall 2026 cohort is designed to help you validate faster, prepare for capital and grants, and connect with the partners that matter.
OREGON UAS ACCELERATOR ALUMNI
