In February 2018, GPI and the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) began a collaboration to introduce a new program to the region – the Greater Portland Tech Challenge. The inaugural Greater Portland Tech Challenge paired public and private sector problem solvers from 18 organizations together to explore the most interesting and confounding transportation problems facing local communities and the region. The overall goal of this program now preparing for its second season is to:
- Showcase regional talent
- Build public-private partnerships
- Inspire innovation
Here’s a link to a Portland Tribune article highlighting the successful public/private partnerships created at the first Greater Portland Tech Challenge. 
On Challenge Day, agencies presented their problems through 4 minute challenge pitches. The firms in the audience voted on the problems/pitches they found most interesting. Following this session, private sector firms presented their problem-solving capacity, again using a 4 minute pitch process.
Agencies/cities in the audience each voted on which firms they were most interested in meeting with to further discuss their problem. Each agency was paired with at least two tech firms for one-on-one consults to workshop their transit challenge.
Five outstanding examples of demonstration/pilot projects started at the inaugural tech challenge include:
- The City of Hillsboro + Mapillary used data collected on city streets to guide local decision making.
- Lake Oswego + 10Branch + AECOM explored the creation of an autonomous vehicle trolley line.
- Washington State DOT + CA Technology found ways to link modes of transportation digitally.
- City of Portland + Hack Oregon explored data visualization solutions.
- Metro + DKS + Moonshadow investigated real time vehicle tracking.
The second Greater Portland Tech Challenge is exploring the intersection of Smart Cities problem solving and equity/inclusivity. Challenge Day is February 27, 2019. For more information about the program, please contact Greater Portland Inc’s VP of Regional Competitiveness, Llyod Purdy, Lloyd.purdy@greaterportlandinc.com.