Every college startup community has some circumstantial aspect that makes it unique. I have been asking myself what that could be for the University of Oregon. There are many possible special factors, including the common things like the University vibe or natural environment. Those are difficult to understand, and common topics of conversation. I want to consider a possible strength that many would call a weakness: the lack of a medical or engineering college at the University of Oregon.
The University of Oregon does not have an engineering college. Most people would consider this a deficit, though that does not have to be the case. Instead of engineering the UO has product design. Engineering, is focused around pages of mathematical formulas for optimizing the physical characteristics of a product. A product designer major is focused on identifying a problem and creating a solution. They may not have everything optimized the first time, but focusing less on the math, and more on creating a product could allow them to produce a solution faster than an engineer. That extra speed could allow UO startups to provide a proof of concept at an unusually fast pace and time is money. The UO is missing one more program common at colleges known for high impact startups.
The University of Oregon does not have a medical college. Medical colleges produce a relatively high number of startups. This is one of the first things people mention as a startup community weakness at the University of Oregon. Unlike most, I see this as a good thing for UO. The time, energy and capital necessary for getting a medical product or drug from concept to FDA approved is astronomical. It would take significant shares of the Center for Entrepreneurship’s time to help startups navigate this process. Time that can be devoted to less time-consuming tech startups and consumer goods. Even if most of the cost or developing medical treatments at UO can be covered by grants, it would distract from tech and consumer goods. The UO was given an opportunity to allocate recourses differently by fate, and it should be embraced. If these are strengths, what should be done to maximize them, you might ask.
The University of Oregon should focus on connecting the students in the tech and product design areas with students in the business program. Exposing the computer science and product design students to a completely business-oriented environment could help reorient them towards entrepreneurship. Such an influx of creators into the UO startup community would significantly increase the pool of creations. The business student would be there to help make the created products profitable, and help build profitable companies around them. That is my best guess of the outcome.
It is important to remember that I am only providing another way to look at what most would consider a deficit. Significant inquiry is still necessary, before any action would be advisable. If anyone reading this has expertise on this subject, please share it with me and together we can come to a better understanding.
Luke Rebar-Bowling can be reached at lrebarbo@uoregon.edu.