COHORT HIGHLIGHTS
From defense and counter-UAS to agriculture, logistics, maritime autonomy, and advanced air mobility, the Cohort Members of the Oregon UAS Innovation Challenge bring together innovators who are turning uncrewed systems into practical, deployable solutions.
🌐 Virtual & In-Person
Hybrid Pitch Event
Dates: April 8th & 9th, 2026
Format: Virtual + In-Person (Pendleton, OR)
Duration: 2 hours each day
Time: TBD Pacific (both days)
Join us virtually or in-person for high-energy pitch sessions featuring all 35 Cohort 3 companies. Companies are strategically grouped by market focus across two days to maximize investor relevance.
Day 1: Counter‑UAS, Public Safety & Infrastructure (17 Companies)
Focus Areas:
- Counter‑UAS & Drone Defense – 4
- Public Safety, Wildfire & Emergency Response – 4
- Infrastructure, Construction & Energy – 5
- Maritime & Environmental Systems – 4
Day 2: Defense/ISR, Logistics & Advanced Mobility (17 Companies)
Focus Areas:
- Defense & ISR Platforms – 4
- Heavy‑Lift Logistics & Delivery – 5
- Agriculture & Reforestation – 4
- Advanced Air Mobility & Enabling Systems – 4
What to Expect
- 5-minute pitches from each company
- Live Q&A opportunities
- Digital pitch decks and company profiles
- Virtual networking rooms (online attendees)
- In-person networking lunch (on-site attendees, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
- Access to cohort metrics, traction data, and founder bios
- Optional afternoon 1:1 meeting scheduling
🏆 Final Event
Oregon UAS Innovation Showcase at the 2026 AUVSI Cascade Chapter Spring Symposium
Date: April 22, 2026
Format: In-Person in Pendleton, OR
Location: Hamley's Slickfork Saloon
Duration: Full-Day Event
Experience the pinnacle of our accelerator program at the Oregon UAS Innovation Showcase. Watch the top 10 companies from our third cohort deliver extended pitches to an expert judge panel, interact with their technology at exhibitor booths, and compete for investment opportunities, strategic partnerships, and program awards.
2026 AUVSI Cascade Chapter Spring Symposium
April 22-23, 2026 | Pendleton, Oregon
Spend a day and a half in Pendleton, Oregon – home of one of the nation’s busiest FAA-approved UAS sites. Reach the leaders, innovators, and influencers in uncrewed and robotic businesses, end-users, entrepreneurs, startups, service companies, government officials, and academia. We are excited to partner with the Oregon UAS Accelerator and the Pendleton UAS Range for this event.
Day 1: Oregon UAS Innovation Showcase & Symposium
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Hamley’s Slickfork Saloon, Pendleton, OR
A full day of expert presentations, panels, and networking featuring the Oregon UAS Innovation Showcase, the culminating competitive event of the Oregon UAS Accelerator’s most recent cohort, where the top 10 companies from a field of 35 deliver their final pitches.
Day 2: Pendleton UAS Range Tech Showcase
Thursday, April 23, 2026
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Pendleton UAS Range Hangar
4529 NW A Ave, Pendleton, OR 97801
Live UAS demos, displays, and networking highlighting real-world operations, emerging platforms, and mission-focused UAS applications, culminating with lunch and a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the 18,000 sq. ft. Flex III Hangar at the Pendleton UAS Range.
OREGON UAS INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Industries & Technologies Represented
The companies and innovation is this third cohort span the full spectrum of unmanned systems innovation, from cutting-edge hardware to AI-powered software platforms. These companies are solving critical challenges across multiple high-growth markets.
Defense & Counter-UAS
Counter-UAS systems, maritime patrol, ISR platforms, threat detection, and military logistics solutions.
Wildfire & Public Safety
Fire detection, real-time mapping, search & rescue, disaster assessment, and first responder support.
Advanced Air Mobility
eVTOL platforms, autonomous flight systems, urban air mobility, and passenger/cargo transport.
Logistics & Delivery
Medical supply delivery, last-mile logistics, heavy-lift cargo, and warehouse automation.
Agriculture & Environmental
Precision agriculture, crop monitoring, reforestation, livestock management, and sustainability.
Infrastructure & Inspection
Pipeline monitoring, bridge inspection, power line surveys, and construction site oversight.
AI & Autonomy
Computer vision, autonomous navigation, swarm intelligence, and machine learning platforms.
Hardware & Components
Advanced propulsion, sensor systems, communication modules, and manufacturing technologies.
OREGON UAS INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Why to Attend as an Investor
Pre-Vetted Deal Flow
Counter-UAS systems, maritime patrol, ISR platforms, threat detection, and military logistics solutions.
Proven Traction
71% of Cohort 3 companies are at TRL 4 or higher, with $18.5M in capital already raised. These are validated technologies with customer traction and clear commercialization paths.
Market-Ready Solutions
From defense contracts to commercial partnerships, our companies address real market needs with proven demand. Many have active pilots, LOIs, or early revenue.
Direct Founder Access
Skip the cold outreach. Get direct access to founders, technical teams, and business leaders. Schedule 1:1 meetings and conduct technical due diligence in person.
Ecosystem Connections
Network with fellow investors, strategic partners, government officials, and industry leaders actively supporting Oregon's growing UAS ecosystem.
Early-Stage Advantage
Meet companies before they hit the broader investor circuit. Get preferred access to cap tables, pilot opportunities, and strategic partnerships.
Register Your Attend.
Complete the form at the link below to register for the Oregon UAS Innovation Challenge investor events. Our team will reach out to confirm your registration and discuss your participation preferences, event access, and networking opportunities.