The Oregon Cluster Network
In 2005, The Oregon Business Plan launched the Oregon Cluster
Network to identify Oregon's mature, emerging, and potential industry
clusters and assist cluster participants as they work to accelerate
innovation and the growth of their industries.
By consciously connecting industry leaders with university
researchers, schools, media, venture capital, and other resources, the
network will help generate new prospects for business recruitment,
develop relevant economic & market data, guide public policy, and
help cluster facilitators across the state share best practices and
develop a regional collaborative advantage.
Cluster Network activities are guided by the Cluster Network Steering
Committee, a smaller group of cluster leaders representing clusters at
all stages of the cluster development continuum.
The Network meets every other month to discuss progress on
cluster-based economic development, lead focused sessions on areas of
interest that cut-across clusters, share best practices, and plan for
key events and opportunities such as the Oregon Leadership Summit.
Anyone interested in advancing cluster-based economic development is
welcome to attend the Cluster Network meetings.
The Cluster Network meetings are chaired by Duncan Wyse, President of
the Oregon Business Council and Wally Van Valkenberg, Chair of the
Oregon Business Development Commission. The network is staffed by the
Oregon Business Council.
The next Cluster Network meeting will be held on
May 24, 2011 from
11am -2pm
at the State Capitol,
Room 50 in Salem. The topic will be "Investing in
Oregon - Improving Access to Capital for Oregon Companies" and will be
hosted by the Oregon Bioscience Association.
Description: The May 24 Access to Capital Symposium
will identify and quantify the nature of the business financing problem
from the perspectives of the business people and policymakers who have
the broadest knowledge about the subject. Business leaders' feedback
will include their experiences (positive and negative) in negotiating
with other states and a realistic comparison of other states' investment
programs. In addition, this Symposium will feature investors with
firsthand experience in funding businesses through angel and venture
capital sources. Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler, state legislators,
and other elected officials will be invited discuss ways Oregon might
become a more competitive state when it comes to retaining and
attracting young, vibrant companies to the state.
To RSVP, please contact
Elizabeth Redman.