Portland Incubator Experiment is open for applications for its next cohort and the team behind the accelerator is putting out a special call for applicants working on tools and services to help meet the needs of unhoused residents or those facing housing insecurity.
It’s all part of an effort by the organization to help find sustainable long-term solutions to the housing crisis in Portland and beyond.
PIE typically works with software startups but has expanded into hardware and consumer products in recent years. With this latest effort, called PIE For Our Neighbors, it is adding one more focus area. This addition also brings with it new partners with expertise working on these challenges into the PIE community.
One new partner is the organization Central City Concern. The Portland-based nonprofit provides services to people experiencing homelessness, including physical and behavioral health care and housing. PIE is looking for other organizations working on these issues for collaboration as well.
“There is a palpable and growing sense of urgency in our community in regards to our neighbors who are living on the streets, as well as those neighbors who are experiencing insecurity in their living situations,” said Rick Turoczy, cofounder and general manager of PIE, in a written statement. “Given our established role as a community convener and support mechanism for startups with innovative and creative approaches, we wanted to start where we could have the most impact: with startups.”
However, he said the work will not follow the typical startup stereotype of disruption for disruption's sake and will have a robust education piece to bring awareness to current programs as well as the lived experience of those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. The idea being that informed conversations can lead to help and added resources for existing programs or new solutions.
“As with any startup pursuit, it is critically important that founders understand the motivations and needs of the end user. We will work with partnering organizations to ensure that startups have the opportunity to engage with people with lived experience in an effort to inform and inspire solutions that meet the needs of the end user,” said Turoczy.
Other partners already signed on include software maker Autodesk, which works extensively in the architecture, engineering and construction industry; Business for a Better Portland; PDX Women in Tech; as well as existing PIE mentors and alumni. Anyone interested in getting involved can submit an interest form at piepdx.com/neighbors.
“Central City Concern is thrilled to have support from a tech giant like Autodesk,” said Juliana Lukasik, senior director of public affairs with Central City Concern. “We appreciate their willingness to engage with PIE and CCC to support our efforts to end homelessness.”
Startups focusing on homelessness and housing insecurity will be included in the 2022 virtual PIE cohort along with startups in the group's traditional focus areas. The accelerator hopes to have a housing specific cohort in 2023. PIE posted a video with more details on the plans for this program. Applications for the current cohort of PIE close March 14.
