The Oregon Opportunity
The Oregon Investment Fund in collaboration with private equity managers, corporations, academia and government taps into Oregon’s existing rich talent to grow its portfolio of companies. In addition, government initiatives such as the Oregon Innovation Council and public/private partnerships such as the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute provide additional opportunities in the state for growth, and further research development that jumpstarts new business activity and increases employment.
Credit Suisse – managers of and investors in the OIF – considers its support of private investment in Oregon’s clusters of innovation instrumental to state job creation and technological innovation.
Oregon’s Areas of Expertise
Oregon possesses identifiable expertise in several areas, including the following clusters of innovation:
HIGH TECHNOLOGY
The high tech industry represents more than 50 percent of Oregon’s economic output and includes leading semiconductor manufacturers as well as makers of computer components. Semiconductor companies with operations in Oregon include, Intel, ESI and TriQuint, among others. These companies make up 10 percent of the annual semiconductor production in the U.S. Oregon’s computer component companies include digital projector manufacturers, electronic design automation leaders and liquid crystal display ("LCD") makers. InFocus, Mentor Graphics, Planar Systems and Hewlett-Packard are among the corporations who represent the State’s computer components sector. Each of these companies presents a breeding ground for creative innovation to spur the development of new businesses and a growth economy.
MICROTECHNOLOGY
Oregon-based research institutions are leading many advances in microtechnology. Multiscale research, which combines nanoscale research with microtechnology work, is performed at the Microproducts Breakthrough Institute at Oregon State University, a partnership with the Pacific Northwest National Lab in Richland, Washington. OIF recognizes that opportunity exists to commercialize this research and expand the emerging microtechnology cluster in Oregon.
ADVANCED TEXTILES
The presence of preeminent athletic apparel and footwear manufacturers in Oregon provides a unique opportunity for collaboration with private equity companies specializing in scientific advances in sportswear. Nike Sports Research Lab, a center for the research of biomechanics, physiology and sensory perception that analyzes data to design and develop state-of-the-art performance gear for athletes, introduces numerous opportunities for new sports-related advancements. In addition, Oregon-based companies including Adidas America, Columbia Sportswear and Dr. Martens (U.S. operations), are part of this growing cluster of advanced textile excellence.
HEALTHCARE
Oregon’s healthcare cluster has emerged as universities and private equity firms have collaborated in commercializing technological research into viable business opportunities. Domain-backed D-Novo Therapeutics, Kryptiq and Wellpartner are examples of such a success. Oregon’s later companies in the healthcare space have also proven to be attractive acquisition targets, which should promote private equity investment in the State.
The Oregon Investment Fund (OIF) is a fund to other funds. OIF is designed to encourage, to build and to invest in growing, innovative enterprises creating risk-adjusted returns for the Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund (OPERF).
The Oregon Investment Council (OIC) created OIF after a July 2003 house bill passed in the Oregon legislature, which required the design and implementation of a $100-million program to encourage the growth of small businesses within the state of Oregon. The program would later receive an additional $50 million, totaling $158 with money from OPERF and Credit Suisse.