Women's Innovation Network
The Women's Innovation Network
The Women's Innovation Network (WIN) is a nine-month program that helps UO faculty, graduate students, and entrepreneurs in our community navigate gender-based barriers to bringing their research to market or to launching and sustaining their businesses.
WIN is a community of executives and industry leaders offering guidance, encouragement, and alternative pathways for women to succeed in male-dominated industries.
We intend for the words "women" and "woman" to include anyone who identifies with the word. We recognize that gender is a broad spectrum, and we aim to celebrate everyone on this spectrum. We always welcome allies and accomplices to join us.
Our Program Structure
Our program includes:
- Monthly seminars to increase knowledge and challenge assumptions
- Intentional monthly networking events to practice skills
- Dedicated mentor calls to learn, explore, and discover while building long-term relationships with industry executives and seasoned entrepreneurs
We deliver high-quality programming and, throughout the nine-month program, help participants build long-term relationships with seasoned entrepreneurs who serve as mentors and with industry leaders.
Key Program Features
- Nine-month program, October 2022 - June 2023
- Each month includes an intentional networking event (1 hour), a hands-on learning seminar (1 1/2 hours), and a mentor connection call (1 hour).
- Participants are matched with a mentor who has expertise that align with their goals. Mentors receive an honorarium ($500) for being a mentor in the program.
- Participants receive a stipend ($2,000) for their time, energy, and effort.
Your Goal is Our Goal
WIN fosters long-term relationships among participants, mentors, and industry leaders.
Participants are matched with a mentor who provides customized, dedicated support to help each participant meet their goals.
Program staff offer participants additional resources based on what stage their ideas are at. Examples include setting up informational interviews, connecting participants to programming offered by professional or community organizations, and making introductions to industry leaders in company formation, fundraising, business pitches, grants, and public-private partnerships.
Don't feel like the label of entrepreneur fits you?
No problem. WIN also supports women who are solving problems right where they are. Many of our participants are intrapreneurs championing DEI initiatives in STEM and other male-dominated fields. Others use WIN to advance their careers and join leadership positions in their industries.
WIN's Impact
Listed as Inventors
Listed as Inventors
the State of Oregon
Submitted by Participants
Received by Participants
9
Invention Disclosures
Submitted by Participants
Participants Promoted
What Our Participants Are Saying
"I’ve learned a great deal, and will likely start my own design-build business in about five years. I would not have considered that without WIN. I’ve also researched possible products and met wonderful people."
- Erin, WIN Participant 2021-22
"I also enjoyed the seminars. Excellent speakers and topics. I feel like the unique content provided filled in some of the gaps left by my business school program."
- WIN Participant 2021-22
"[The Women's Innovation Network] has been a great source of professional development and social support."
- Grace, WIN Participant 2021-22
A Truly Collaborative Effort
The Women's Innovation Network is a truly collaborative effort between the Office of the Vice President for Research Innovation and Onward Eugene.
Nearly one third of our participants are entrepreneurs looking to start a business or have recently done so.
We direct participants - regardless of their affiliation to the UO - to community organizations, state resources, and federal opportunities that align with their business and career goals.
We'd love to meet you.
All WIN seminars are open to everyone - regardless of their gender identity or affiliation with the UO.
Our seminars help build skills to address gender-based barriers to success in business and entrepreneurship. Past topics have included:
- Exploring perspectives on risk and readiness
- Failing forward
- Making genuine interpersonal connections
- Protecting your brand and intellectual property
- Company formation
- Accessing capital
- Conducting market research
- Talking with customers
- Writing grants and business pitches
We love connecting with our community and hope to meet you at an upcoming seminar. We also encourage you to reach out with ideas for future seminars, interest in being a mentor or participant in the program, and questions or requests for resources.
Innovation at the University of Oregon
UO's Innovation Initiative fosters a community of partners and serves as a hub of resources and activities. The initiative bolsters research commercialization, enhances entrepreneurship in Oregon, and propels the work of UO students, faculty, and staff into the world.
Innovation at UO Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship
Looking for other mentoring resources or opportunities?
The University of Oregon is committed to developing an ecosystem that supports mentoring. The Office of the Provost has a number of resources that support faculty as they build their own network of mentors in addition to resources for developing skills to serve as a mentor to others.