Support Organizations
We are here to help you grow your business and have compiled a list of resources and partners offering hands-on business support and solutions. Our economic development team can serve as a one-stop-shop for connecting you with available resources.
Business Resources & Partners
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
36 Degrees North
36 Degrees North is the central gathering point for Tulsa's startup founders, small business owners, remote workers and innovative community leaders. We provide high-quality workspace in the Tulsa Arts District, foster a tight-knit community, and curate connections to helpful resources, so entrepreneurs can grow and create long-lasting, impactful businesses.
Tulsa Innovation Labs
Recognizing that the jobs of the future are rooted in a thriving innovation economy, Tulsa Innovation Labs LLC (TIL) was founded to develop a city-wide strategy that positions Tulsa as a tech hub and leader in the future of work.
Through a diverse coalition of public and private partners, led by George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF), TIL is creating economic development programs that seek to make Tulsa the nation’s most inclusive tech community.
i2E
i2E was created in response to an Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) initiative and has become a nationally recognized private not-for-profit corporation.
We achieve our mission by working directly with entrepreneurs, researchers and companies to help them commercialize their technologies, launch and grow new businesses and access needed capital.
Our focus is on growing innovative small businesses in Oklahoma and making a positive impact on the state’s economy.
Kitchen 66
Kitchen 66 (K66) is Tulsa's kickstart kitchen, and Tulsa's first food incubator. We support Tulsa food entrepreneurs by decreasing barriers to success in providing three key resources: affordable commercial kitchen space, business training programs, and sales and distribution channels. Kitchen 66 is a nonprofit program of the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation.
One Million Cups
Based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and engage with their communities over a million cups of coffee, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation developed 1 Million Cups in 2012—a free program designed to educate, engage and inspire entrepreneurs around the country. Through the power of volunteers, 1 Million Cups has grown to more than 160 communities.
As a program of the Kauffman Foundation, 1 Million Cups works with entrepreneurs, empowering them with the tools and resources to break down barriers that stand in the way of starting and growing their businesses. Mr. Kauffman believed it was a fundamental right for anyone who had a big idea to be able to bring it to life—and we're here to fulfill that mission.
Oklahoma Center for Advancement of Science and Technology
The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) was established in 1987 by the Oklahoma legislature for the purpose of growing and diversifying the state’s economy through technology development, technology transfer and technology commercialization. The agency takes great pride in being recognized as a best-in-class, results-driven, high-performing and efficient organization that benefits our state by increasing research activity and public/private collaborations leading to innovation, new businesses, job growth, higher wages and an improved quality of life for the citizens of our state and nation. OCAST also is an active supporter of STEM education across Oklahoma’s common education system and provides funding to support internships between local industries and higher education.
Manufacturing
Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance
The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance is a network of trusted experts working with manufacturers to help them grow and evolve. When manufacturers are strong, communities prosper and our state’s economy thrives. Your vision is our mission.
Small Business
Tulsa Small Business Connection
The Tulsa Small Business Connection, a program of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, serves as the voice of small businesses in the Tulsa region. It also serves as northeast Oklahoma’s leading network for connecting small businesses with the tools to grow in a competitive global market.
The mission of the Connection is to educate, empower and expand small businesses to further the economic opportunity and prosperity of small businesses in the Tulsa region.
Originally founded in 1994 as the Small Business Council, small business members of the Tulsa Regional Chamber gathered to collectively advocate, network and educate each other. Rebranded as the Tulsa Small Business Connection in 2014, this group has grown to 1,800 Tulsa Regional Chamber members and continues to make a great impact on the small business community.
The Connection offers many avenues for engagement through its programs, events and committees. Governed by the advisory board and executive committee, the Connection’s mission and vision are led by small business leaders in the Tulsa area.
Tulsa Economic Development Corporation
TEDC was founded in 1979 as Tulsa Economic Development Corporation, an organization charged with promoting and sustaining small business growth in Tulsa.
Over the last five years, we've provided or located more than $150 million to help nearly 300 small businesses start, expand or sustain. These dollars will impact over 3,500 jobs. In 2005, we began the TEDC Creative Capital brand to reflect our expanded range of programs and geographic reach. Today, we make or facilitate loans ranging from $5,000 to $10 million using public and private funds. Our mission remains the same as it was at our founding: to create economic vitality in communities by encouraging small business growth.
TEDC receives funding from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development's CDBG program as a City of Tulsa sub-recipient, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Treasury's CDFI Fund, and other public-private resources.
Oklahoma Small Business Development Center
The OKSBDC provides confidential, high quality, no cost entrepreneurial and small business management advising in order to help Oklahomans start and grow businesses. We are committed to growing Oklahoma’s economy one small business at a time.
Small Business Enterprise Program
Small businesses create two out of every three new jobs in the Tulsa metro area - more than 55,000 jobs with an estimated payroll of $1.4 billion.
The City of Tulsa has designed a program for small businesses to interact with City employees and become contractors on various goods and services.
Small businesses wanted: To provide 10 percent of goods and services purchased or contracted by the City of Tulsa.
SCORE
The Tulsa SCORE Chapter, with an office in downtown Tulsa, has branches in Bartlesville and Broken Arrow. There are about thirty active members. Members' background includes holding executive and managerial positions in manufacturing, construction, international sales, pharmacy, oil & gas, aerospace, public relations and other areas. Many have personal experience with small business ownership. They volunteer to share their experience with others planning to start a business or needing advice on managing an existing business.
OSU Wes Watkins Center for International Trade Development
Building on the legacy established when Henry Bennett stretched OSU's arms across the globe, Oklahoma Congressman Wes Watkins envisioned a center where students would be trained in the discipline of doing business with the world, opening up international markets in Asia, Africa, South America and Europe to products born and bred in Oklahoma, by Oklahomans.
Small Business Administration
Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. The SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.
Workforce and Talent
Tulsa’s Young Professionals (TYPROS)
TYPROS creates events, programs, groups and straight-up things to do in Tulsa. Our mission is to attract and retain young, creative talent to the Tulsa region while developing the next generation of leaders and enhancing Tulsa’s sense of place.
Our city becomes a better place to live when interesting and interested people (i.e., you) connect with other others.
You make the greatness happen; we’re just here to put the hold on your Google cal.
Workforce Tulsa
Workforce Tulsa fuels economic development by creating relationships that benefit employers and job seekers by placing talent today, while preparing individuals for the jobs of tomorrow.
We are a private-industry led board serving Osage, Creek, Pawnee & Tulsa counties.
The Mine
The Mine is a catalyst for social innovation. We're equipping Tulsa's entrepreneurs, nonprofits, creatives, and developers to create a better world.
OK Job Match
With a Job Seeker account you can:
- Perform advanced job searches
- Create and post resumes
- Save your job searches
- Receive job alerts by email or text
- Many more benefits – all free
Leadership Tulsa
You will meet community leaders, listen to debates on public policies and spend time with a group of people who bring diverse ideas to the table.
Our Leadership Tulsa Programs annually involve up to 200 adults representing a diverse cross-section of the community who learn about the infrastructure, needs and resources of Tulsa and how to get involved to effect positive change. Classes are chosen through a competitive selection process and participate in training and educational experiences focused on building leadership skills and understanding the community.
