TechStart provides educational opportunities designed for the 21st century to students and teachers. This holistic approach ensures that:

• Teachers are not just knowledgeable about technology, but also know how to use it to incorporate teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving and creativity into their lessons.
• Students use technology in a hands-on environment to demonstrate what they have learned and to find creative solutions to problems.

We invite you to learn more about our programs and how we are building a solid foundation of essential skills for today’s students and tomorrow's workforce.

Our History

TechStart, formerly known as The Software Association of Oregon (SAO) Foundation, was created in 2003 by the Software Association of Oregon, now the Technology Association of Oregon, a state-wide trade association that provides programs and services to assist software-dependent organizations to start, grow, and move to Oregon.

The TAO has long been committed to supporting technology education to sustain a healthy and strong software industry cluster in Oregon. TAO formed TechStart as a means to formalize this commitment and to encourage others to invest in programs that improve the availability and quality of K-12 technology education in Oregon schools.