Meet OR Entrepreneurs Network in La Grande: Wine, Connection & Impact

You're building something in Eastern Oregon. Maybe it's the early days, maybe you're scaling, maybe you're just trying to figure out the next move. Either way, you're doing it without the infrastructure that Portland founders take for granted.

On Friday, February 27th, that changes.

Cara Turano, Executive Director of the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN), is driving to La Grande specifically to meet you, because OEN is serious about serving entrepreneurs across the entire state, not just the metro area.

OEN has spent over 3 decades connecting founders to funding, mentorship, and resources. They've facilitated over $5.2 million in angel investments into Oregon startups. They host the state's premier Entrepreneurship Awards (where Good Groceries was nominated!), offer workshops, pitch practice, business introductions, and more.

And now? They're committed to expanding these benefits meaningfully beyond Portland.

This is your chance to:

• Introduce yourself and your business directly to Cara
• Learn what OEN offers (and whether it's right for you)
• Connect with other entrepreneurs
• Get answers about access, funding, and what support looks like outside the metro bubble

No pitch required. No pressure. Just honest conversation, good wine, and the Oregon Frontier Innovation Hub making sure you get facetime with someone who can open doors.

Bring the kids. Stay until close. Come curious.

This is what it looks like when a statewide organization actually shows up for rural Oregon.

A huge thank you to K Voelz Wines for offering to host this event, who turned three decades of winemaking experience into a business in La Grande, OR, balancing family life with her passion.

Info: Settle in, start connecting with other local entrepreneurs, and grab a glass of wine if that's your thing.

Info: Quick welcome from the Oregon Frontier Innovation Hub team and Cara Turano.

Info: The main event: meet Cara, business support extraordinaire, connect with other businesses, dare I say have fun.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

K Voelz Wines, 1104 Jefferson Avenue, La Grande, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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