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Rick Turoczy

Passionate startup community connector in Portland, Oregon

Rick Turoczy is a prominent figure in the Portland startup ecosystem, serving as the Cofounder and General Manager of the Portland Incubator Experiment (PIE). He has been actively involved in supporting startups in the region for over 25 years, focusing on community development and mentorship for entrepreneurs.

Background and Career

Turoczy co-founded PIE in 2009, which is designed to foster collaboration between startups and established organizations. The incubator provides mentorship, resources, and funding to selected startups, helping them develop their business models over a three-month program. PIE has partnered with major corporations like Google, Nike, and Coca-Cola, and has evolved into a key player in Portland's entrepreneurial landscape.23

In addition to his role at PIE, Turoczy is involved in various initiatives aimed at enhancing the startup community. He is a co-founder of Built Oregon, which supports local manufacturers and entrepreneurs, and he runs the Silicon Florist blog, which covers the Portland tech scene.145 His work also includes participation in the Zebras Unite movement, advocating for sustainable business practices that prioritize social good over the traditional "unicorn" startup model.1

Personal Approach

Described as a "minimizer of friction" and an "introvert," Turoczy is known for his calm demeanor and genuine support for others in the startup community. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling and community engagement in building successful businesses. His contributions have earned him recognition as a vital connector within the Portland startup ecosystem, where he continues to inspire and mentor emerging entrepreneurs.124

Highlights

Nov 21 · twitter

And as OpenAI has proven recently, through a dizzying array of mammoth deals and product rollouts, the artificial intelligence lab is... https://t.co/sbfM44rBTR

Nov 11 · twitter

Sincerely thought this was a parody from @nbcsnl. "Three legged jeans… Not any dumber than acid wash." https://t.co/OrFIP8Thlr

Oct 25 · siliconflorist.com
Hello, Portland startup community! I'm Rick Turoczy - Silicon Florist

Related Questions

What inspired Rick Turoczy to start the Zebras Unite movement?
How has Rick Turoczy's role at PIE evolved over the years?
What are some notable startups that have emerged from PIE under Rick Turoczy's leadership?
How does Rick Turoczy's approach to ecosystem building differ from others in the startup community?
What are some challenges Rick Turoczy has faced while building the Portland startup ecosystem?
Rick Turoczy
Rick Turoczy, photo 1
Rick Turoczy, photo 2
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Experience

Cofounder & General Manager at PIE (Portland Incubator Experiment) since August 2009
- Manager, Corporate Marketing Communications at Digimarc Corporation (May 2005 - May 2006) - Senior Manager, Marketing at ProSight (February 2001 - May 2005) - Manager, Corporate Communications at Medscape (June 2000 - February 2001)

Education

BA from Whitman College (1989 - 1993)

Location

Portland, Oregon, United States