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💥 From Ideas to Impact: 2026 Launch Mid-Valley Startup Bootcamp Recap & Winner Highlights!

Updated: Jun 17


🚀 2026 Launch Mid-Valley Startup Bootcamp Celebrating our Pitch Showcase Winners!
🚀 2026 Launch Mid-Valley Startup Bootcamp Celebrating our Pitch Showcase Winners!

WOW. What an event.


The 2026 Launch Mid-Valley Startup Bootcamp Weekend & Pitch Showcase held the last weekend in March at Linfield University, McMinnville, Oregon, brought together an incredible community of entrepreneurs, mentors, partners, and supporters—all committed to one shared mission: growing businesses, supporting startups, and scaling companies across the Mid-Valley.


In just three days, ideas turned into action. Concepts became companies. And founders stepped boldly into what’s next.


🌱 Why This Work Matters

Entrepreneurship is more than launching—it’s about building a strong, resilient regional economy.


By supporting businesses at every stage, we:

  • Help early ideas take root

  • Strengthen small businesses as they grow

  • Equip scaling companies to expand, hire, and lead


Launch Mid-Valley is proud to support this full journey—because when entrepreneurs succeed, our entire region thrives.


🎉 Celebrating Our Pitch Showcase Winners

Congratulations to the founders who took the stage at Linfield University and inspired us all:

🥇 1st Place: Aliza’s Almond Cookies (Aliza Cooks, LLC)

🥈 2nd Place (Tie): MacApps LLC & Tricolors - Quick Action

🥉 3rd Place: Whey Better Donuts🙌 People’s Choice, sponsored by the McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce: SnoDayzz LLC (Dr. Jumesha Wade & Family)

Our winners received Pitch Prize Packages including both cash and consulting packages for each recipient! 


Thank you to our prize package contributors:


💡 Recognizing Every Team That Showed Up

The heart of this Bootcamp is every entrepreneur who said “yes” to building something new.


This year’s participating teams represent a powerful cross-section of innovation, creativity, and determination in the Mid-Valley:

From food and agriculture to technology, education, consulting, and consumer products—these ventures reflect the diversity and strength of our regional business community.


Every team made progress. Every team gained traction. And every team contributes to a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem.


💥 Fuel for Growth: More Than Just Prizes

This year’s prize packages were intentionally designed to support long-term success—not just celebrate a moment.


Across all awards, founders gained access to:

  • Seed funding to move their businesses forward

  • Strategic planning and business development support

  • Revenue, marketing, and sales coaching

  • Leadership development for founders

  • Hands-on consulting and technical assistance

  • Long-term advising and education through regional partners

  • Meaningful connections across the Mid-Valley business network


Because real impact happens after the pitch.


🤝 The Power of Mentorship

One of the most impactful elements of the Bootcamp was the time, expertise, and generosity of our mentors, speakers, and judges.


Over three intensive days, these leaders showed up fully—guiding teams through uncertainty, challenging assumptions, offering real-world insights, and helping founders move faster and smarter.


Their contributions went far beyond advice—they helped shape businesses in real time.


🌟 Mentors

Arturo Vargas (Entrepreneur/Catalyst)

Hannah Kullberg (Independent Consultant)


🎤 Speakers

Hannah Kullberg (Independent Consultant)

Jamie Akers (Local Flow Health Bar)


⚖️ Judges

Commissioner Kit Johnston (Yamhill County)

Helen Anderson (HelloCare)

Jamie Akers (Local Flow Health Bar)


Your willingness to invest your time and talent is what makes this experience transformational—not just for a weekend, but for the long-term success of businesses across our region.


🤝 Powered by Partnership

This experience is only possible because of the incredible partners, sponsors, mentors, speakers, and judges who show up to invest in entrepreneurs.


Your time, expertise, and resources help turn ideas into viable, growing businesses—and create lasting impact across our region.


Together, we are building more than startups—we are building a connected, collaborative, and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.


🚀 What’s Next?

The momentum is already building.


Our founders are:

  • Connecting with mentors

  • Scheduling strategy and advising sessions

  • Refining their models and testing their ideas

  • Taking the next steps toward launch and growth


And Launch Mid-Valley will be there every step of the way.


📅 Stay Connected

Join us for our next event. Stay engaged through upcoming programming, events, and regional coffee clubs designed to keep entrepreneurs connected and supported.


Follow Launch Mid Valley on LinkedIn and join the LMV Network Group!


💬 A Final Word

To every founder, mentor, partner, and supporter:


Thank you for showing up. For taking risks. For building something new with us.


The future of the Mid-Valley economy is being shaped right now—by this community.


And we can’t wait to see what you build next.


Thank you to Papi Productions for our Pitch Showcase video compilation!


 Bootcamp 2026 Fast Facts:

45 participants

18 business teams registered

11 business teams pitched

13 business mentors volunteered their time to support growing our entrepreneurial ecosystem

7 pitch showcase judges 

8 speakers

$14k+ in pitch prizes awarded1st, 2nd (x2 for the tie), 3rd place, and a People's Choice prizes awarded


 Launch Mid-Valley is a collaborative initiative that empowers entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses across Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley. With funding from Business Oregon, the Launch Mid-Valley Regional Innovation Hub is expanding our offerings to provide even more events, resources, and programming to support local business growth. Launch Mid-Valley fosters an innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem where local businesses can connect with investors, mentors, and industry leaders. To learn more about Launch Mid-Valley and stay updated on upcoming events, visit our website and to join our LinkedIn group – go to launchmidvalley.org





 
 
 

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