Oregon Technology Business Center

Oregon Technology Business Center

Founded in 2002, the Oregon Technology Business Center is a nonprofit incubator serving the Portland-metro region. Its roots trace to local economic development efforts to commercialize technology research from universities such as Oregon State and the University of Oregon. OTBC does not operate as a family office but rather as a hub for early-stage founders. OTBC's support model centers on mentorship, coworking space, and investor introductions. The center claims over 100 startups assisted since inception, including portfolio companies such as Puppet and Janrain, both of which went on to raise significant venture rounds. OTBC does not take equity in client companies, differentiating it from for-profit accelerators. Its geographic focus is exclusively the Pacific Northwest. The organization is funded through grants, membership fees, and sponsorships. It employs a small staff of roughly a half-dozen professionals. OTBC has no additional offices beyond Beaverton. In 2023, the center announced a partnership with the Portland Development Commission to expand its outreach to underrepresented founders (per the center's public announcements). OTBC's structural differentiator is its nonprofit, equity-free model — a rare posture among US incubators. While many tech hubs take equity or charge program fees, OTBC relies on sponsorship revenue, keeping its services free to selected founders. This governance structure aligns the center with community economic development rather than fund returns.