Startup Week x Portland Fire: Game Plans & Growth
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 4:00 PM PDT – 9:00 PM PDT
UpStart Collective · 111 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97204, USA
Hosted by Rose City Sports Collective
We're playing with Fire during Portland Startup Week, creating an evening where sports and startups collide. Join us on Tuesday, May 12th, for a first-of-its-kind Portland Startup Week event. We'll kick things off with “Game Plans & Growth: Navigating Portland’s Sports Startup Ecosystem”—a live panel featuring some of Portland’s leading founders building what’s next in sports from right here in the Rose City. From fan engagement to athlete ecosystems, investment, and emerging sports tech, this conversation will unpack the real playbooks behind building sports-focused ventures in Portland. We’ll cover the unique opportunities and challenges of scaling in niche markets, how to leverage local culture, and why community is often the strongest competitive advantage. "Game Plans & Growth" Sports Startup Panel | 4:00–5:00 PM 📍 Big Pink / UpStart Collective (5th Floor) Doors at 4 pm, Panel begins at 4:15 pm. Panelists: Nick Lawson, Founder & CEO of Sqwad Molly Kline, Co-founder & COO of SportSource Lauren Teague, founder & CEO of FanWagn Paige Velasco, Director of Partnership Marketing, Portland Fire Pre-Game Networking | 5:00–6:00 PM 📍 Big Pink / UpStart Collective After the panel, stick around for pre-game fun with founders, investors, operators, and sports fans before we head to the arena. Then we’ll hop the MAX across the river to the Moda Center for something special—watching the Portland Fire in their second-ever home game as they take on the New York Liberty. Founder Night at the Fire | Tip-Off at 7:00 PM 📍 Moda Center Tickets are $23–$39 (+ fees) and open to Startup Week friends, plus your friends of friends. Bring your co-founders, investors, teammates, kids, and colleagues for a great night out supporting Portland’s newest startup—the WNBA’s return to the Rose City. Must have a Portland Fire ticket for the game! PURCHASE IN OUR GROUP BLOCK Because honestly, building companies and building fandom have a lot in common. Let’s do both.