Why Host an Innovation Jam?

Benefits for Host Institutions

Hosting an Innovation Jam strengthens your institution’s role as a regional leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. These high-energy, design-and-build sprint events expand access to entrepreneurship education, especially for students from rural and underserved communities, while connecting them with mentors, resources, and a supportive network.

• Expand Access: Empower students with an inclusive, hands-on introduction to innovation and entrepreneurship.

• Strengthen Regional Capacity: Build partnerships between schools, faculty, and community leaders to grow the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

• Flexible Format: Adapt the event to fit your existing programs, or use it as a qualifying pathway to InventOR for schools without one in place.

• Support Provided: InventOR offers funding, curriculum and educational materials, templates and tools, marketing assets, and ongoing guidance to ensure your event’s success.

• Community Impact: Position your institution as a catalyst for creativity, collaboration, and economic development across your region.

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InventOR Support

As the statewide stewards of InventOR, the Portland State University Center for Entrepreneurship partners closely with host institutions to ensure Regional Innovation Jams are high-impact, low-lift, and deeply rewarding for students, faculty, and the broader community.

Regional Innovation Jam Partners receive:

• $7,500 in program funding to support planning, facilitation, materials, and event execution

• Turnkey curriculum and facilitation framework, including slide decks, worksheets, lessons,and other educational materials and resources, designed to be adaptable to your campus context

• End-to-end planning support, with timelines, templates, forms, and guidance from the InventOR team

• Marketing and recruitment assets, plus optional in-person info sessions to help drive participation and visibility

• Streamlined onboarding, grant reporting and payment process, minimizing administrative burden on your team

• Ongoing partnership and support before, during, and after the Jam

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Host Responsibilities

Partner schools lead event management, including:

• Recruiting students, mentors and judges from the community

• Staffing and facilitating instruction

• Securing venue/makerspace and materials

• Promoting and marketing the event

• Organizing awards and refreshments

• Communications, Coordination & Logistics

• Budget & Reporting

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Host Institution Requirements & Impact Metrics

To ensure strong regional collaboration, equitable access, and high-quality programming, Host Institutions must meet the following expectations:

Regional Partnership & Event Delivery

• Partner with 2–4 schools/institutions within your region to ensure multi-campus participation and shared ownership.

• Coordinate outreach to participating partners to align event schedules, student recruitment, and logistics.

• Host two (2) single-day events OR one (1) two-day Innovation Jam by April 15, 2026.
  
  

Recruitment Metrics

• Recruit 8+ students from each participating school (target range: 24–40+ students total).

• Recruit 8+ volunteer mentors (pooled across partner schools, community leaders, and regional innovation partners).

• Recruit 5+ volunteer judges (pooled region-wide, ensuring diverse expertise and perspectives).

Regional Impact Expectations

• Facilitate a collaborative learning environment engaging 30–50 total participants (students, mentors, judges, faculty, and partners).

• Strengthen regional innovation capacity by:

  • • Connecting schools and community partners

    • Expanding access to entrepreneurship education

    • Identifying top teams to advance toward InventOR

    • Building a sustainable regional talent and mentorship pipeline

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NEXT STEPS

• Review the 2026 Innovation Jam to InventOR Pathway

• Rules & Eligibility

• Step by Step Process & Onboarding

• Host Institution - Timeline & Checklist