Accelerator is ready for liftoff

By Terry Murry on Friday, February 2nd, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – The Oregon UAS Accelerator is getting ready to take applications to become innovators, mentors, or investors in the state’s only Center of Innovation Excellence dedicated exclusively to autonomous systems and robotics.

Pendleton Economic Development Director Steve Chrisman said the center at the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport is one of the first five such centers selected by Business Oregon and received the second largest grant at $2.25 million.

“We are now the representative for UAS and robotics for the state of Oregon,” he said. “They don’t usually award that to little rural places like us.”

The Accelerator will award grants of up to $40,000 to help small- and mid-sized startups, working individually or collaboratively, to commercialize their innovations. Those selected will receive at least six months of free access to workshop space, hot desks, Autodesk development software, skilled mentors, UAS training, investment training, and secure storage. They will also receive onsite coaching from the Pendleton UAS Test Range’s experienced team of flight test professionals.

More information about the Pendleton UAS Range is at https://www.pendletonuasrange.com/.