From Methodology to Movement: How IncubatorU’s 5-Step Framework Gave Rise to Move Oregon

Michael Bergmann
Jan 5
3 min read

The Deschutes River Trail near Sunriver Oregon

Innovation is often misunderstood as something that only happens in boardrooms, labs, or venture-backed startups. In reality, the most durable innovation frequently emerges from communities—when people are given a framework to recognize what they already have and the permission to act on it.

That belief is the foundation of IncubatorU’s 5-Step Methodology: Imagine, Identify, Initiate, Implement, and Integrate. What began as a way to unlock underutilized human and organizational potential has now evolved into a statewide movement for health and wellness—Move Oregon.

Taking a 10 minute walking break over Santiam Pass, Oregon

Step 1: Imagine — Reframing Health Through Movement

Move Oregon began with a simple but consequential question:What if health and wellness were driven not primarily by treatment, but by daily movement embedded into people’s lives and communities?

This question matters. According to the CDC, less than 25% of U.S. adults meet recommended physical activity guidelines, and physical inactivity is linked to higher rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and anxiety. Nationally, inactivity-related healthcare costs are estimated at over $117 billion annually.

The vision behind Move Oregon was not to create another fitness program—but to imagine a system where movement is accessible, social, and tied to place.

Hikiing up the creek at Tumalo Falls in Bend Oregon

Step 2: Identify — Mapping Assets Already in Place

IncubatorU’s methodology intentionally starts with assets, not gaps.

In Oregon, those assets were clear:

Thousands of miles of trails, rivers, and open spaces
Strong community organizations, parks districts, and schools
Employers and health systems seeking preventive wellness solutions
A culture that values the outdoors across generations

Move Oregon emerged by connecting these existing resources into a coordinated ecosystem—reducing friction and increasing participation without requiring massive new infrastructure.

Walking the dunes in Pacific City Oregon

Step 3: Initiate — Small Programs, Real Participation

Rather than launching at scale, Move Oregon initiated focused, community-led programs that could be tested, refined, and expanded.

Programs such as:

Grey Trippers, supporting older adults—one of the fastest-growing populations in Oregon—in staying active and socially connected
Frame the Trail, combining photography, creativity, and movement to engage new audiences
Catalyst Camps, immersive experiences connecting movement, mental health, and place

These initiatives align with research showing that socially connected physical activity increases participation rates by up to 40% compared to individual exercise alone.

Exploring Forested Mountain Bike Trails on the way to Cannon Beach and Seaside Oregon

Step 4: Implement — A Partnership-Driven Model

Implementation is where Move Oregon differentiates itself.

Rather than owning all delivery, Move Oregon partners with:

Employers seeking workforce wellness and engagement
Health systems prioritizing prevention and community health
Outdoor and retail brands expanding access to equipment and experiences
Rural and urban communities activating local economies through movement

This model aligns with employer data showing that every $1 invested in workplace wellness can return $3–$4 in reduced healthcare costs and productivity gains over time.

Mountain Bike Trails on Mt Bachelor Oregon in the Summer

Step 5: Integrate — Making Movement Part of Daily Life

The final step—Integrate—is the most important.

Move Oregon is designed to embed movement into:

Workplace wellness strategies
Community development plans
Aging and active-living initiatives
Long-term public health outcomes

When movement becomes part of daily life—not an add-on—organizations see measurable impact:

Reduced chronic disease risk
Improved mental health and resilience
Stronger community connections
Lower long-term healthcare utilization

Revitalized Mill Pond Trail for walking, running and sightseeing at the McKenzie River Community Track in Blue River Oregon

A Call to Action for Companies and Organizations

Move Oregon is actively seeking companies, health systems, public agencies, and community organizations that want to move beyond traditional wellness approaches and invest in scalable, community-rooted solutions.

There are multiple ways to engage:

Sponsor or co-design Move Oregon programs for employees or members
Activate rural and urban communities through shared movement experiences
Integrate Move Oregon into workforce wellness, benefits, or community health strategies
Pilot preventive health models that connect people to place, purpose, and movement

This is an invitation to collaborate—not just fund—solutions that address rising healthcare costs, employee burnout, and community disconnection at their source.

Looking Forward

Move Oregon demonstrates what is possible when innovation is grounded in people, place, and a clear methodology.

Using IncubatorU’s 5-Step Framework, it transforms existing assets into a preventive health model that can scale across Oregon—and beyond—without losing its community roots.

The opportunity ahead is not incremental improvement.

It is systemic change.

For organizations ready to lead in health, wellness, and community impact, the next step is simple: