Greater Portland Inc. hosts South Korean startups in hopes of getting ground floor expansions

I’m proud to share that Greater Portland Inc (GPI) successfully positioned Portland as the U.S. entry point for a cohort of ten Korean cleantech startups. The delegation will visit our region September 2–5 to explore GPI’s Soft-Land Program, with the goal of evaluating Portland as a base for their U.S. expansion.

This four-day program—organized in partnership with the Gyeonggi Center for Creative Economy and Innovation (GCCEI)—marks the first of its kind. It’s a bold step in positioning Portland as a gateway for international clean energy investment.

The delegation, based at CENTRL Office, will:

• Connect with Oregon’s investment community through an Investor Roundtable & B2B sessions
• Participate in expert workshops on U.S. legal, tax, and go-to-market strategies
• Tour advanced manufacturing and sustainable infrastructure sites
• Be welcomed by our region’s leaders at a community reception

These startups are working on renewable energy, clean hydrogen, sustainable materials for semiconductors, and green building technologies. Their presence in Portland seeds future supply chain partnerships, research collaborations, and high-quality job creation.

This effort reflects true regional collaboration. Business Oregon and Prosper Portland were key contributors, helping ensure the program’s success. Several of our own investors, including Baker Tilly, Melvin Mark, and Partners in Diversity, presented to the cohort alongside a range of other industry leaders who shared their expertise and insights. And importantly, GPI’s head of business development, Nick Triska, conceived the Soft-Landing Program, a vision that has now become a powerful tool for attracting international investment to our region.

Why this matters:

• Reinforces Portland’s reputation as a global sustainability leader
• Sparks potential new employers, research partners, and investors for our region
• Elevates Portland’s visibility as a gateway city for Asian companies entering the U.S.
• Demonstrates a replicable model for foreign direct investment attraction

As I’ve said often: Portland cannot sit on the sidelines while global industries are being reshaped. By opening our doors to international cleantech innovators, we’re signaling that Greater Portland is ready to compete on the world stage.

Thank you for your continued support as we expand our reach and deliver on our mission of business recruitment, investment attraction, and global competitiveness.

With appreciation,

Monique Claiborne
President & CEO
Greater Portland Inc

(Read the full article: “Greater Portland Inc. hosts South Korean startups in hopes of getting ground floor expansions" in the Portland Business Journal.)