IDEA Talks! Featuring Veteran Founder and Innovation Leader Joseph Wyno

Klamath IDEA Welcomes Veteran Founder and Innovation Leader Joseph Wyno for March 18 IDEA Talk

Klamath Falls, Oregon — Klamath IDEA is proud to announce that Joseph Wyno, President and Executive Director of the Oregon UAS Accelerator, will take the stage on March 18 for the next Klamath IDEA Talk.

Before leading one of Oregon’s most advanced innovation engines, Wyno spent 12 years in the trenches as a startup founder. That lived experience – navigating uncertainty, raising capital, refining products, building teams, and facing the daily realities of entrepreneurship – continues to shape his founder-first leadership style. Over the past 25 years, he has worked shoulder-to-shoulder with entrepreneurs, engineers, investors, and public leaders to transform bold ideas into practical, scalable ventures.

As Director of the LaunchPad Accelerator in Southern California, Wyno advised approximately 275 founders annually across diverse industries. Those companies went on to raise more than $230 million in capital and create over 5,000 high-quality jobs. His work has consistently focused on equipping entrepreneurs not just to launch, but to build durable companies capable of long-term impact.

Today, Wyno leads the Oregon UAS Accelerator, Oregon’s state-designated Center of Innovation Excellence advancing uncrewed systems, robotics, applied autonomy, and next-generation manufacturing. The Accelerator supports early-stage innovators as they validate technology, refine business models, and prepare for investment—providing structured mentorship, investor readiness training, and access to one of the nation’s largest FAA-approved UAS test ranges. His focus on frontier and dual-use technologies positions Oregon at the forefront of emerging industries that drive both economic growth and national resilience.

For Klamath County entrepreneurs and business leaders, this IDEA Talk offers more than inspiration. It’s an opportunity to hear directly from a leader who understands the entrepreneurial journey from the inside out—someone who has built companies, scaled innovation programs, and cultivated ecosystems that connect talent, capital, academia, and government.

Whether you’re building a startup, leading a small business, investing in innovation, or supporting entrepreneurs through your organization, this event will challenge you to think bigger about what’s possible in Klamath County—and your role in making it happen. Join us for an evening of practical insight, meaningful connection, and forward-looking innovation.

“It’s important for our local entrepreneurs and innovators to know that world-class innovation isn’t limited to big cities. Joseph’s work proves that when you connect founders to the right structure, relationships, and resources, extraordinary things happen. His message is directly relevant to entrepreneurs building right here in Klamath County,” said Darin Rutledge, Director of Klamath IDEA.

The event will take place on Wednesday, March 18 at 5:30pm at the Brevada Annex (2229 N. Eldorado in Klamath Falls). Appetizers and two drink tickets are included in the $15 per person admission. Beer and wine will also be available for purchase. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for networking and the IDEA Talk will start at approximately 6:15 p.m. Visit www.klamathidea.org for tickets and more information.

Klamath IDEA exists to strengthen and grow the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by linking resource providers, economic development partners, government agencies, investors, and founders. IDEA Talks – modeled after TED-style presentations – are a key part of that mission, bringing entrepreneurial thinking and real-world insights to the local business community.

The 2025-2026 IDEA Talks season is sponsored by Sage Credit Union and the Klamath Community College Small Business Development Center. Additional support is provided by the City of Klamath Falls, Klamath County, The Ford Family Foundation’s Growing Rural Oregon program, and through Oregon State Lottery Funds administered by Business Oregon.

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