To help launch Portland Startup Week, the Rose City Robotics Collaborative (RCR) hosted a community networking lunch in partnership with Electron Robotics. Held at the Metro Region Innovation Hub, the gathering welcomed members of the robotics community from across the Pacific Northwest for an afternoon of connection and collaboration.
Attendees had the chance to check in with peers, share updates on ongoing projects, and celebrate the region’s growing robotics ecosystem over a meal generously provided by FANUC America and Electron Robotics.
About the Rose City Robotics Collaborative
The Rose City Robotics Collaborative is a community of robotics entrepreneurs, scientists, machine learning experts, tinkerers, and fellow enthusiasts working to establish the Pacific Northwest as a national hub for robotics innovation.
Through collaborative events and ongoing partnerships, we support the exchange of ideas and breakthroughs across disciplines. Whether you're deep in the field or just getting started, there's a place here for you.
What Made This Lunch Special
- Meaningful Connections This event brought together people from across the robotics ecosystem—startups, researchers, manufacturers, and technologists—for thoughtful, low-pressure conversations. It was a chance to learn what others in the region are working on, share progress, and uncover potential points of collaboration.
- Cross-Disciplinary Exchange By welcoming individuals from different sectors and experience levels, the lunch fostered spontaneous idea-sharing across industries. From AI and machine learning to hardware and manufacturing, attendees left with fresh insights and new contacts to follow up with after the event.
- Community Momentum The gathering reflected the strength and enthusiasm of the Pacific Northwest robotics community. As the region continues to grow as a hub for innovation, events like this help build the trust, visibility, and alignment needed to move bold ideas forward.
Thank You to Our Partners
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Electron Robotics
Founded by Robert Toppel, Electron Robotics helps the manufacturing industry access affordable and flexible robotics solutions, backed by over 35 years of experience in aerospace and military electronics manufacturing. - FANUC America A global automation leader with more than 40 million products installed worldwide and 25 service-first locations, FANUC America provides lifetime support, 24/7.
- Metro Region Innovation Hub The central hub for business innovation in the Portland metro area—and the generous host of our community lunch.
- UpStart Collective A community-driven collaboration space for early-stage founders and innovators.
- Portland State University Business Accelerator Providing tailored mentorship and programming to support startups from early stage to growth.
Stay in the Loop
We host ongoing workshops, technical events, and community-building gatherings throughout the year.
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Samantha Town
Events and Outreach
Sam helps shape our communication and operational strategies with a conscientious emphasis on human relationships and impact. Sam graduated from the University of Oregon and grew up working in a family business in Oregon wine country.