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About Us
Mission
Our mission is to support, connect, and celebrate the innovators and changemakers who are shaping the future of Tulsa.
The Startup Tulsa Foundation is a nonprofit organization that aims to support and empower entrepreneurs and small businesses in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The foundation was established after we recognized the gap between the potential and the reality of the local innovation ecosystem. We saw that many aspiring entrepreneurs lacked the resources, mentorship, and network to turn their ideas into successful ventures. We also noticed that many existing small businesses faced challenges in scaling up, accessing capital, and adapting to changing market conditions. We decided to create a platform that would connect, educate, and inspire entrepreneurs and small businesses in Tulsa, and help them overcome the barriers to growth and success. Our vision is to make Tulsa a thriving hub of entrepreneurship and innovation, where anyone with a dream can pursue it with confidence and support.
One of our core values is to promote diversity and inclusion in the entrepreneurial community. We believe that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to pursue their passions and contribute to the economic and social development of Tulsa. We are committed to helping the underserved and underrepresented groups, such as women, minorities, veterans, immigrants, and people with disabilities, to access the resources and support they need to start and grow their businesses. We offer scholarships, mentorship, training, networking, and funding opportunities to these groups, and we celebrate their achievements and stories.
Another way we help the underserved and underrepresented is by fostering social entrepreneurship and civic innovation. We encourage entrepreneurs and small businesses to address the social and environmental challenges that affect Tulsa and beyond. We provide them with tools and guidance to create solutions that are sustainable, scalable, and impactful. We also partner with local organizations, such as nonprofits, schools, government agencies, and foundations, to create synergies and collaborations that benefit the community. We believe that by empowering social entrepreneurs and civic innovators, we can create positive change in Tulsa and the world.