OU Startup Programs

Abstract

Purposed with creating good companies and exceptional founders, Startup Programs trains and mentors the entrepreneurially minded students, researchers, and community partners of the University of Oklahoma.

Startup Programs supports entrepreneurs at critical stages of development, providing guidance and resources to carry entrepreneurs through ideation, testing, funding, and launch through strategic community partnerships with public and private entrepreneurial support organizations.

Our three primary programs adapt to entrepreneurs’ individual needs and remain viable options for businesses at any size or stage. They are open to OU students and University affiliates (i.e., alumni, faculty, staff, and other partners).

Programs are industry agnostic. Cohorts of founder and workforce track members work on a broad swath of projects. From quantum physics to hair accessories, we focus on creating more opportunities within the Oklahoma entrepreneurial ecosystem. As a university led program, we expand OU’s work in economic and workforce development – feeding top tier talent and launching promising businesses into our communities.

Within two years we have helped launch 22 companies, developed from idea, to MVP, to functioning business models within OU’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Along with direct startup success, we have created workforce development tracks for members who want to train and hone the skills learned in the classroom in partnership with our fledgling founders. This has created a community of collaborative, multidisciplinary peers and near-peers now actively supporting the broader Oklahoma startup community.

This is in line with our goals of building better bridges of cooperation and support between OU and community entrepreneurial support organizations.