AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CATALYST, Oregon BEST connects Oregon businesses with a university-based network of shared-user lab facilities and expertise to commercialize and transform sustainable built environment and renewable energy research into on-the-ground products, services, and jobs that power Oregon's green economy.

AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENGINE FOR OREGON'S GREEN ECONOMY

An independent, nonprofit established by the Oregon Legislature, Oregon BEST (Oregon Built Environment & Sustainable Technologies Center) builds on Oregon’s reputation as an international leader in sustainable built environment and renewable energy innovation.

Our charter is to help Oregon businesses compete globally by transforming and commercializing university research into new technologies, services, products, companies, and new jobs.

With 200+ Member Faculty at four universities, investments in a network of Shared-User Research Facilities, a Sustainable Built Environment Research Consortium, a unique Commercialization Program offering commercialization grants, and a growing list of industry partners, Oregon BEST is helping Oregon companies, universities, and students succeed.

Oregon BEST focuses on two strategic areas:

• Sustainable Built Environment Products and Services
• Renewable Energy Generation

BLENDING UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND BUSINESS

Connecting Oregon industry to universitiy research teams adds value and enhances competitiveness for existing Oregon firms, boosts state revenues, grows and improves university research, and helps Oregon recruit new clean-tech companies.

The Oregon BEST shared-user network benefits people all across Oregon — from architects and construction firms engaged in the sustainable built environment, to farmers and forest products companies producing biomass for clean fuels and bioproducts, to large and small companies generating solar, wind, geothermal, wave, and other forms of clean energy.

Oregon BEST helps attract research dollars to Oregon universities from federal agencies, foundations, and private companies by strategically investing in key research projects and facilities that can attract additional research revenue and create economic impact.

MORE ABOUT OREGON BEST
Click on the image to the right to download our overview brochure, "Oregon BEST: Transforming Research Discoveries into Clean-Tech Jobs and Economic Prosperity."

At the links below, you can also download our brochure insert sheets that contain more detailed information on a range of topics:

• Brochure Insert: Oregon BEST Shared-User Research Facilities
  
• Brochure Insert: Oregon BEST Commercialization Program
• Brochure Insert: Oregon BEST Sustainable Built Environment Research Consortium
  
• Brochure Insert: Oregon BEST Faculty Expertise - Building Science
• Brochure Insert: Oregon BEST Success Story: Indow Windows
• Brochure Insert: Oregon BEST Success Story: Tau Science

HISTORY AND FOUNDING UNIVERSITIES

Oregon BEST was established as an independent, nonprofit organization in 2007 as part of the Oregon Innovation Council’s legislative recommendations. Initial funding came from the Oregon Legislature, with additional support from the Oregon University System and the Meyer Memorial Trust. Oregon BEST is funded in part with Oregon State Lottery Funds administered by the Oregon Business Development Department. Our partner universities include the Oregon Institute of Technology, Oregon State University, Portland State University, and the University of Oregon.