Tulsa’s Global Entrepreneurship Week

By Laurie Winslow

Entrepreneurs, small business owners and all those interested in entrepreneurialism are being invited to participate in many activities scheduled for Tulsa Global Entrepreneurship Week, Nov. 9-16.

Tulsa will be active in the event for the sixth year. It will join cities in more than 125 countries including, Australia, Bangladesh, China, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

The Kauffman Foundation created the week with the goal of inspiring people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity.

Tulsa has emerged as a nationally recognized leader at fostering entrepreneurs and is proving to be a catalyst for many new entrepreneurs, according to event organizers. In a report from the Kauffman Foundation, the impact of TGEW has helped more than 70 startups in Tulsa, with an added yearly payroll of $12 million.

“We’ve had more people, entrepreneurial champions step up and produce programs for the week,” said Sean Griffin, chairman of Tulsa Global Entrepreneurship Week. “We have the most diverse group of programs and service providers.”

He noted that Tulsa is referenced as a leader in how to go about creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem and a great entrepreneurship week.

“My greatest hope is that we start to become more inclusive and that a larger portion of the Tulsa population looks at entrepreneurship to be a viable career path,” Griffin said.

The Tulsa event will kick off with Startup Weekend, which has been likened to a boot camp for entrepreneurs, at 6 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Tulsa Fire Department Training Center, 1760 Newblock Park Drive.

Beginning with open-mic pitches, Startup Weekend attendees will bring their best startup ideas and inspire others to join their team. Through the weekend, teams will focus on creating a business prototype and receive valuable feedback from a panel of experts.

This year, Startup Weekend will focus on individuals who work 24 hours and then are off work for 48 hours, much like firefighters and some other emergency responders. Many individuals in such fields seek a second job and try to start their own business but may not have the right tools or coaching to get their company off the ground, event organizers say.

Also during the week, winners of the TCC StartUp Cup and the Tulsey Awards will be announced, and many networking and coaching opportunities are available.

All of the events during TGEW are being coordinated by the city’s Economic Development Commission, Entrepreneurship Committee. More information is available at tulsaworld.com/tgew

TULSA GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK

Nov. 9-11

Startup Weekend Tulsa: TulsaGEW kickoff, 6 p.m. Nov. 9, presented by the city of Tulsa at Tulsa Fire Department Training Center, 1760 Newblock Park Drive. Kickoff event is free. Startup Weekend is $75. Register at tulsaworld.com/startupweekend

Nov. 13

Venture Strategy Session: Powered by Sooner Launch Pad and CCEW, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (30 minute sessions) at The Forge, 125 W. Third St., free by reservation only for the first 10 entrepreneurs. RSVP: [email protected] Ten entrepreneurs with business pitches will have the opportunity to present their idea and receive advice and assistance from a group of mentors. Mentors will include University of Oklahoma economic development staff, community leaders, senior executives and successful entrepreneurs.

TCC StartUp Cup Business Model Competition Award Celebration: Presented by Tulsa Community College and the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation at TCC Center for Creativity at 909 S. Boston Ave., 5:30-7 p.m. Free. Visit tulsaworld.com/startupcup

Nov. 14

Pitch-O-Rama: Presented by GableGotwals at Central Center at Centennial Park, 1028 E. Sixth St., 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $10 and includes lunch. RSVP: [email protected] or 918-595-4872. Business model pitches should be submitted at tulsaworld.com/pitchorama by Nov. 8. Up to 10 companies will be selected to present a two-minute pitch before an audience and panel of judges. The best pitch will receive $500 from GableGotwals.

Tulsa Innovation Forum: Presented by i2E at 618 E. Third St., Suite 1, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Three to four pre-selected early-phase startups will deliver five-minute investor-focused presentations with another 10 minutes for Q&A.

Business Resource Summit: Presented by TulsaGEW at i2E, 618 E. Third St., Suite 1, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Free. Meet and mingle with representatives from many of the Tulsa region’s entrepreneurial service providers and network with Tulsa-area entrepreneurs.

Central Library Resource Open House: Presented by Research Center & Research Wizard at Tulsa City-County Library at Tulsa Central Library, 400 Civic Center, second floor, 6-8 p.m. Free.

Nov. 15

Round Table Connection 5.0: Presented by Tulsa Metro Chamber at Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center, 6808 S. 107th East Ave., 7:30-9:30 a.m. Participants will enjoy five table rotations, a breakfast buffet, door prizes and a guest keynote speaker. Cost is $20 for members, $30 for non-members. RSVP: Jessica Lowe Betts at 918-585-1201.

Tulsey Awards: Presented by the city of Tulsa at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, 5 S. Boston Ave., general admission 7 p.m. Cost is $15 in advance at tulsaworld.com/tulseys or $20 cash at the door.

Laurie Winslow 918-581-8466; [email protected]