Klamath IDEA

06/11/2026

“Build Bridges to Create the Foundation for Community”

That sounds like a mission statement for an organization like Klamath IDEA, right? Or maybe a lofty, albeit soft, aspiration for a local government. Both of those may be true, but Jim Teece believes building community is one of the primary responsibilities of entrepreneurs – every bit as important as building a successful business.

While Teece shared updates on the growth, acquisitions, and new ventures that have shaped the last six years of his entrepreneurial journey since he presented at an IDEA Talk in 2019, the conversation repeatedly returned to a different topic: the responsibility entrepreneurs have to help build the communities they call home. He believes that it’s an entrepreneur’s obligation – not privilege or right – to find ways to serve the community that serves them. Make no mistake, one of the reasons for that is because it’s good business. Networking is an important component of building a support structure, and an efficient way to create customer leads. But service to community should be rooted in philanthropic motives – a desire to contribute time, skills or resources to help others and improve the human condition.

Teece recognized the many seemingly valid reasons entrepreneurs aren’t represented equitably on nonprofit boards, corporate boards, or government committees in their communities, but stopped short of categorizing them as excuses. Teece believes entrepreneurs should get involved anyway. He related a story about a meeting with a nonprofit board during which a logo color was decided … and noted that was the only productive action during the entire two-hour meeting. His time with that board ended at that meeting. Certainly, businesspeople or anyone else who has committed time or resources to a cause should feel entitled to move on if their time is not judged as well-spent. But another example that Teece gave reinforced the level of ownership entrepreneurs should feel in their community. After watching a local corporation’s support before, during and after the pandemic, Teece said he approached them and asked to be on their board. Even though civic engagement should be expected of entrepreneurs, it should still be meaningful and rewarding.

It was a fitting conclusion to another terrific IDEA Talk season – practical, inspiring, and focused on the role entrepreneurs play in shaping stronger communities. We hope you’ll join us for the 2026-2027 season kickoff on Wednesday, September 16. And if you know of someone who you think the rest of our community should hear from at an IDEA Talk, let us know!

A culture that supports and celebrates entrepreneurs requires several ingredients, including entrepreneurs engaging and participating outside of their ventures. We're grateful to Jim for inspiring entrepreneurs to engage beyond their ventures and for sharing practical examples of how they can overcome the barriers that often keep them from doing so. If you'd like to become more involved in the community but aren't sure where to start, get in touch with us. We'd be happy to help connect you with opportunities that fit your interests, skills, and availability.

05/02/2026

By now you've probably seen the results from last week's Catalyze Klamath pitch competition at Oregon Tech.

We want to extend our congratulations to all of the competitors, and especially to Toby Ruston from DEC VAC, who is this year's winner of the "Entrepreneur In Action" Award. We're proud of Toby and the progress he's made in seeing that this invention - a joint effort between Toby and his grandfather - makes its way to market! Toby already has a patent for the DEC VAC and has working prototypes in the field. We're hopeful that this $1,000 award will help Toby with the next few milestones, and that we'll see DEC VAC on the shelves sooner than later!

We also want to wish the best of luck to Toby and Diego Garcia (Luma Dental Technology) from Oregon Tech, and Cliff Foster and George Neufeld (ChloroVac) from Klamath Community College. These three teams just completed Inventor Boot Camp and will compete for additional prize money at next month's competition Bend.

Whew - there's a lot of innovation going on in Klamath County! We're proud to join our local partners in celebrating all of our entrepreneurs, and doing what we can to help them get to the next stop in their journey!

04/24/2026

This is why we do the work that we do. We’re proud to see this story featured in the Herald and News, and we're proud of Jennifer for making her idea a reality!

At first glance, it’s a story about a mobile salon taking shape after a business concept award. But if you look closer, it’s something much bigger. It’s what happens when a community fosters an environment that supports and celebrates its entrepreneurs and innovators, and intentionally works to build and strengthen the systems that they need to be successful:

💸 It’s access to capital. Dollars, sometimes even in modest amount, that can help turn an idea into something tangible.

🛠️ It’s robust access to business resources. Navigation support to guide entrepreneurs to the tools they need, right when they need them. And a strong network of committed providers to meet every one of those needs.

🎉 It’s a platform. Providing spaces where entrepreneurs can share ideas, be seen, and be celebrated. We call these "opportunities to collide".

🥇 It’s a community of champions. The collective of individuals who recognize the value of entrepreneurs and the products or services their businesses provide.

💡 And most importantly, it’s about individuals like Jennifer. The creators, innovators, and idea-people who have the courage, grit, and determination to see their idea through to reality.

That’s what we’re trying to build every day. Not just programs or events, but a culture and ecosystem where ideas can take root and grow into real businesses that serve real needs in our community. And a community that recognizes what's needed to get us there and has the will to build it.

Jennifer's story is one of many ... and it certainly won't be the last!

A new kind of hair salon is gearing up to take the road in the Klamath Basin — one built not inside a storefront, but inside a former school bus.

03/20/2026

Big ideas don’t just live in big cities.

At this month’s Klamath IDEA Talk, our community heard from Joseph Wyno of the Oregon UAS Accelerator—and the message was clear: world-class innovation can happen right here in Klamath County.

Yes, we talked drones, robotics, and uncrewed aerial systems… but more importantly, we talked about people, opportunity, and what it really takes to turn an idea into something that matters.
Here’s what stuck with us:

🚀 Innovation is hard—but you don’t have to do it alone. Even the best ideas need support, strategy, and the right network to succeed.

🌱 Thriving communities don’t happen by accident. They’re built through collaboration—entrepreneurs, educators, investors, and leaders all showing up.

🤝 Connections change everything. The conversations we have (at events like IDEA Talks) are what spark momentum and unlock opportunity.

One of the most powerful takeaways? Communities like Pendleton are already producing high-tech founders through programs like the Oregon UAS Accelerator. That means we can too.
Klamath County has the ingredients. We just need to keep showing up, building connections, and supporting one another.

If you missed this one, you missed more than a cool technical presentation – you missed a glimpse of what’s possible for our region.

👉 Want to be part of what’s next?
Join us on April 21 for our next IDEA Talk featuring Paul Schuytema, Executive Director of the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County and a leader in Oregon’s emerging Blue Economy.

From launching software companies to leading rural economic development, Paul brings a unique perspective on building innovation-driven communities and leveraging the assets that are already here – and you won’t want to miss it.

🎟️ Learn more and grab your tickets at klamathidea.org

02/17/2026

💡💡💡 New Date. Same Big IDEAS. 💡💡💡

We are bummed to announce that the Klamath IDEA Talk scheduled for Wednesday, February 18 is postponed due to winter weather that is impacting travel statewide.

While winter may have had other plans, we’re excited announce that this event has been rescheduled for April 21 - and it’s going to be worth the wait!

In the meantime, our next IDEA Talk is coming up Wednesday, March 18 and will feature Joseph Wyno, a veteran founder, business accelerator guru, and current leader of the Oregon UAS Accelerator. Another inspiring and informational opportunity you won't want to miss!

🗓️ Mark your calendar for 3/18 and 4/21, and stay tuned for updated ticket and event details. We can’t wait to gather, connect, and keep building our entrepreneurial culture together.

12/05/2025

📢 Is Oregon still a “small business state”?

Check out this recent article from our partners at Business Oregon that takes a close look at what that label really means. While around 32% of jobs in Oregon are in firms with fewer than 50 employees - higher than the national average - nearly half of all jobs are in much larger firms.

The article also highlights something worth noting: although Oregon has long had a strong culture of entrepreneurship and small business creation, the pace of new business formation has slowed relative to many other states in recent years.

Why do you think entrepreneurial activity may be slowing at the state level?

And most importantly — what’s YOUR experience here at home?
• What's your take on the level of entrepreneurial activity in Klamath County?
• Do you see different challenges - or new opportunities - for entrepreneurs in our region?

Tell us what you think below! 👇

Check out our NEW 1859 Onward blog post titled, "Is Oregon a Small Business State?" In this article, our Economist Damon Runberg discusses what a "small business state" really is and if Oregon is classified as one. Read the blog: https://www.oregon.gov/biz/aboutus/blog/Pages/oregon-a-small-business-state.aspx

11/17/2025

This week we join ecosystem builders, entrepreneurs and innovators around the world to celebrate the builders, the makers, the doers, and the visionaries in our community during Global Entrepreneurship Week.

We can't think of a better way to highlight GEW than to hear from serial entrepreneur, ecosystem builder and entrepreneurial champion Kim Freeze later this week at Klamath IDEA Talks!

We hope you'll join us this Thursday and every day to celebrate our region's entrepreneurs! What's one one thing you're going to do this week to celebrate ?

11/11/2025

Coming up this week!

Join our friends at the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce for a full day of inspiration, connection, and practical tools at the fourth annual women’s leadership conference. This year’s theme, Shaping Our Community, highlights the power of women coming together to grow, lead, and thrive.

Through engaging keynotes, hands-on workshops, and meaningful conversations, you’ll leave with strategies you can use right away in both your personal and professional life.

Join us in Klamath Falls for a full day of inspiration, connection, and practical tools at our fourth annual women’s leadership conference. This year’s theme, Shaping Our Community, highlights the power of women coming together to grow, lead, and thrive. Through engaging keynotes, hands-on wor.....

11/03/2025

For our entrepreneurs in the tourism and hospitality space: Here's an opportunity to get your hands on some practical tools to create a more inclusive experience for your Clients/Guests.

Become an Accessible Tourism Ambassador and learn about innovative tools and technology that can take the experiences you offer to the next level!

Tourism Partner Training Opportunity: November 14th Join us for the Accessible Tourism Ambassador (ATA) Training—a hands-on workshop designed to help tourism professionals and businesses create more inclusive travel experiences. This […]

10/24/2025

Are you an entrepreneur that is ready to bring some investors into your startup? Maybe you're just going to the bank to get a line of credit or commercial financing? Maybe you're just attending a business mixer and want to tune up your pitch and get the most out of a networking opportunity?

Creating a pitch in "investor language" and using too many industry-specific or "entrepreneury" buzzwords is a common trap. Even our Klamath IDEA pitch coaches often ask "what is it you actually do?" after listening to first draft pitches.

Here's some great advice to make sure you understand your business and can translate that to others. (Of course you understand your business, right? But the point is, can you articulate it to someone else simply and concisely, and in a way that compels them to get on board somehow?)

If you have an upcoming opportunity to pitch your business or concept, or if you just want to make sure you have your elevator pitch tuned up and ready, let us know and we'll connect you to one of our formally-trained pitch coaches and give you some pointers!

Forget the fancy pitch decks and slick demos. Getting people to care about your startup isn’t nearly as complex as you think.