OBI Client Company Recent Wins
- Received some additional funding from Portland State University’s UVDF (University Venture Development Fund).
Learn more about OBI’s 30 startups by visiting our website!
OHSU President Visit
Highlights Collaboration Across
Oregon’s Bioscience Ecosystem
We were honored to welcome Dr. Shereef Elnahal, President of Oregon Health & Science University, to the Oregon Bioscience Incubator for an engaging conversation on the future of Oregon’s bioscience ecosystem. His visit offered a meaningful opportunity to highlight OBI’s role in advancing the industry, strengthen shared understanding of our impact, and explore future directions for collaboration and growth across the state’s innovation community.
We were also proud to showcase the vibrant work happening inside OBI alongside an exceptional group of founders, industry leaders, and ecosystem partners, including Patti White of Hemex Health, Holly Rockweiler of Madorra Inc., Mark Brady and Kate Sinner with Business Oregon, Ndeye Makalou of Oregon Life Sciences, Tim Layton of Genentech, Aditi Martin of OHSU Collaborations and Entrepreneurship and OBI Board Chair, Norah Green Verbout of OBI alum Aronora, Maureen McGee, Government Affairs Attorney and OBI Lobbyist, and Representative Dacia Grayber of Oregon House District 28. Moments like these reflect the strength of partnership at the heart of Oregon’s bioscience community and the shared commitment to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship across the region.
Meet the Founder Spotlight
“I’ve always believed. You have to believe to do this work.”
— Trevor Nicks, PhD, Founder & CEO, Caravel Bio
Meet the Founder: Trevor Nicks, PhD | Caravel Bio
Transforming Protein Engineering Beyond Nature’s Limits
Caravel Bio is developing a next-generation protein evolution platform that creates proteins capable of performing beyond the limits found in nature. By combining innovations in microfluidics, cell-free protein synthesis, and bacterial spore display, Caravel is unlocking new possibilities for industrial applications including critical materials recovery, catalysis, and carbon capture.
Founder and CEO Trevor Nicks, PhD, grew up on a farm in Missouri and attended college on a track scholarship, studying biochemistry, business, and liberal arts. As a college junior, he helped launch a venture-backed algae engineering company, an experience that revealed both the promise and challenges of scaling biotechnology. Determined to develop technologies that could enable sustainable biology at scale, Trevor pursued a PhD at Tufts University, where he founded Caravel Bio during his fourth year. Since then, the company has secured more than $8 million in non-dilutive NSF funding to advance its platform and product development.
Why Oregon?
“My husband is a professor at Oregon State University, and after we met in Boston, I moved to Oregon upon completing my PhD. What began as a personal move quickly became an opportunity to build a company in a growing and collaborative bioscience ecosystem.”
How Has OBI Supported Caravel’s Journey?
“OBI was our landing pad in Oregon when we had very little funding in the beginning. The affordable lab space and access to equipment allowed me to move to Oregon and establish Caravel’s first laboratory. Quite simply, I wouldn’t have been able to justify the move without OBI.”
How Has Oregon’s Bioscience Ecosystem Supported Caravel’s Growth?
“Oregon has provided incredible opportunities for collaboration. We currently have an active $7.8 million NSF grant that I co-wrote with an Oregon State University professor, allowing us to combine complementary technologies and expertise. More recently, after an amazing year and a half at OBI, we moved into shared laboratory space with Birch Biosciences, another outstanding protein engineering company in Portland. Sharing resources has significantly extended our runway and strengthened our ability to grow.”
What’s Next for Caravel?
Caravel is currently raising its seed round and preparing to scale production while piloting its first products with customers in metals recycling and carbon capture.
When Did You Know Caravel Was Gaining Momentum?
“I’ve always believed. You have to believe to do this work. But I think the broader world began to take notice after we received our NSF grants.”
What has surprised you most about building a company in Oregon?
It’s been amazing to see the quality of education local students are getting at PCC. After a student tour at OBI last year, we connected with a PCC student that now works at Caravel. The lab training students are getting here is really top notch.
BioMentor Spotlight:
Harsh Jain, PhD.
Harsh V. Jain, PhD. is a Strategist and Alliance Engineer within Intel Corporation’s Health and Life Sciences Business Unit, where he focuses on the intersection of AI, regulatory science, and healthcare innovation. He brings more than 15 years of experience spanning FDA/CDER regulatory science, pharmaceutical drug discovery, and AI platform strategy, with a strong track record of helping organizations bridge complex scientific, regulatory, and commercial challenges. In addition to his role at Intel, Harsh advises healthcare leaders across the Pacific Northwest on AI implementation strategy and serves as an advisor to Intel Ignite London, supporting early-stage startups with platform strategy and enterprise commercialization.
He holds a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, along with nine peer-reviewed publications and a patent in nucleic acid chemistry, and has contributed to industry consortium work with Biophorum and DiMe. As a BioMentor, he brings a practical, founder-minded approach to mentorship, grounded in deep technical expertise and real-world experience at the intersection of science and technology.
OBI Startup Spotlight Expo Returns September 17
Mark your calendar for one of OBI’s most anticipated events of the year: the Annual Startup Spotlight Expo on Thursday, September 17 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Oregon Bioscience Incubator. This signature event sells out every year and brings together founders, investors, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders for an evening dedicated to innovation in biotech and life sciences.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet OBI resident startups, explore emerging technologies, and hear directly from the companies developing solutions that are shaping the future of health and science. The evening will also feature a panel of industry experts discussing timely trends, challenges, and opportunities across the biotech and life sciences sectors.
Startup Spotlight Expo sells out every year, and attendance is intentionally capped to create meaningful conversations and connections. Early registration is strongly encouraged.
Reserve Your Spot at Oregon’s Premier Biotech Startup Showcase
Nominations Open for 2026 Oregon Life Sciences Excellence Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Oregon Life Sciences Excellence Awards, which recognize individuals making a meaningful impact across Oregon’s life sciences ecosystem through innovation, entrepreneurship, advocacy, mentorship, workforce development, and community engagement. This year’s award categories include Entrepreneur of the Year, Woman of the Year, and Legislator of the Year, and nominations are welcome for both self-nominations and peers who are driving progress in the field. Award recipients will be recognized at the Oregon Life Sciences 2026 Annual Conference taking place September 23–24 in Portland. Nominations are open through June 19.
Submissions can be made HERE.
Step Into the OBI Network: BioMembership Is Here
Want to be part of OBI but do not need lab or office space? BioMembership was created with you in mind. It is designed for startups, service providers, and ecosystem partners who want to stay closely connected to OBI’s community, programs, and momentum without becoming a resident company.
BioMembers gain access to OBI-hosted events, member pricing for select educational programs, opportunities to reserve conference space, and increased visibility within our growing bioscience network. It is a flexible way to stay engaged, build meaningful relationships, and remain plugged into the energy and opportunity happening here every day.
If you are looking for connection, collaboration, and a seat at the table, BioMembership makes it simple to be part of OBI.
Learn More about BioMembership
Upcoming Events at OBI
Virtual Lunch & Learn:
Are You Lender Ready? Unlocking Capital with SBA Revolving Lines
Tuesday, July 8 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Register for Free
OBI Startup Spotlight Expo
Thursday, September 17 | 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Get tickets now!