Partner Directory

Asemio is a social enterprise founded in Tulsa in 2013. They are technologists, data engineers, software developers, system designers, and community practitioners who believe modern systems can be designed to build purpose-driven public utility infrastructure.

Labor Market Observatory (LMO)

Alongside Tulsa Innovation Lab’s Workforce Intermediary, the Labor Market Observatory (LMO) tracks workforce trends, providing real-time data on job demand, skill requirements in fast-evolving industries, and regional shortages. This data-driven approach helps align educational programs with industry needs, ensuring a skilled workforce to support Tulsa’s leadership in advanced industries such as autonomous systems.

Expected Outcomes

• 400-500+ participants across all programs

Atlas School offers inclusive, hands-on software development training programs, including full-stack web development, machine learning, and more, equipping Tulsans of all backgrounds with the technical and workplace skills needed for careers in the region's growing tech industry. Founded in 2020 through a partnership with the George Kaiser Family Foundation and Holberton School, Atlas became an independent Tulsa-based institution in 2024.

Tulsa Career Advancement Program

A vocational learning model that upskills new hires and existing workers in autonomous systems specialties. Through industry-designed, hands-on training in areas like machine learning and systems programming, T-CAP ensures participants gain practical experience to meet the evolving demands of the autonomous systems industry.

Expected Outcomes

• At least 195 ready-to-hire program graduates

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Workforce Intermediary

A connector between industry demands and workforce development through partnerships among educational institutions, employers, and community organizations. Its primary purpose is to align training programs with the evolving needs of the autonomous systems sector, ensuring that the local talent pool is equipped with relevant skills.

Expected Outcomes

• 3,600 upskilled and retrained participants

Black Tech Street is a Tulsa-based organization working to rebirth the historic Greenwood District (Black Wall Street) as a premier Black innovation economy rooted in AI, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, mobilizing resources and tech companies to build economic opportunity for Tulsa's Black community.

AI/AS Program for Innovation, Research, and Education (ASPIRE)

A community-focused initiative aimed at expanding Greenwood’s AI capacity through education, training, and computing resources. Centered at Greenwood Entrepreneurship at Moton, ASPIRE will position Tulsa as a leader in AI thought leadership and technology development by hosting national speakers, networking events, and AI skill training opportunities for the Greater Tulsa Region.

Expected Outcomes

• More than 500 community members

• Attract $65 million in venture capital

• 1,800 new jobs

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Microsoft Cyber + AI Lab

As part of Black Tech Street's Greenwood AI Center of Excellence, the Microsoft Cyber + AI Lab supports startups, companies, researchers, and individuals, with access to Microsoft's leading AI technologies and expertise, fostering innovation, commercialization, and community engagement.

Expected Outcomes

• More than 100 businesses served

• More than 450 discrete engagements

• Creation of 370 jobs

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Workforce Intermediary

A connector between industry demands and workforce development through partnerships among educational institutions, employers, and community organizations. Its primary purpose is to align training programs with the evolving needs of the autonomous systems sector, ensuring that the local talent pool is equipped with relevant skills.

Expected Outcomes

• 3,600 upskilled and retrained participants

Cherokee Federal is the federal contracting division of Cherokee Nation Businesses, delivering mission-focused defense, technology, health, and intelligence solutions to more than 60 federal agencies; its Aerospace & Defense companies specialize in aerospace manufacturing and DoD program support.

Advanced Research and Manufacturing Center
Led by Cherokee Federal and TCF TARMAC LLC, the Tulsa Advanced Research and Manufacturing Center will have equipment for UAS production lines to increase capacity for regional manufacturing of component parts.

Expected Outcomes
• Increased capacity for UAS manufacturing
• Potential revenue generated

inTulsa is a Tulsa-based nonprofit that connects talent and companies to stimulate the region's economic growth, matching skilled professionals with employers and helping companies relocate or expand in Tulsa.

Labor Market Observatory

Alongside Tulsa Innovation Lab’s Workforce Intermediary, the Labor Market Observatory (LMO) tracks workforce trends, providing real-time data on job demand, skill requirements in fast-evolving industries, and regional shortages. This data-driven approach helps align educational programs with industry needs, ensuring a skilled workforce to support Tulsa’s leadership in advanced industries such as autonomous systems.

Expected Outcomes

• 400-500+ participants across all programs

Madison Strategies Group is a Tulsa-based nonprofit workforce development organization that helps individuals reach economic mobility through employment, education, and financial empowerment programs, including sector-based training and job placement services.

Recruitment and Wraparounds

Provides targeted recruitment and wraparound services, including career coaching, job readiness training, and technology support to students in Tulsa Regional Advanced Mobility cluster programs. These services help workers successfully transition into advanced mobility careers by solving for the challenges which inhibit education success.

Expected Outcomes

• 37% higher wages than Oklahoma median
• 6% higher wages than Tulsa MSA median

meerir provides detailed airspace intelligence and analysis, in addition to development of physical and digital infrastructure, that allows drones to operate at scale.

Skyway Range Advanced Mobility Test Site

Build a state-of-the-art beyond visual line of sight flight test range that bridges the urban-rural divide, making Tulsa a destination for testing advanced mobility technology.

Expected Outcomes

• 20 days of usage per month by year 5

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Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) Secure Testing System

Accelerate the development and deployment of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) technologies by creating a globally unique, complex, and secure testing environment at Skyway Range.

Expected Outcomes

• $60 million in Tulsa economic development

• 1,400 new jobs

Microsoft is a global technology company; its Tulsa-based work includes the Greenwood AI Center of Excellence, a collaboration with Black Tech Street providing AI and cybersecurity training and lab access.

AI/AS Program for Innovation, Research, and Education (ASPIRE)

A community-focused initiative aimed at expanding Greenwood’s AI capacity through education, training, and computing resources. Centered at Greenwood Entrepreneurship at Moton, ASPIRE will position Tulsa as a leader in AI thought leadership and technology development by hosting national speakers, networking events, and AI skill training opportunities for the Greater Tulsa Region.

Expected Outcomes

• More than 500 community members

• Attract $65 million in venture capital

• 1,800 new jobs

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Microsoft Cyber + AI Lab

As part of Black Tech Street's Greenwood AI Center of Excellence, the Microsoft Cyber + AI Lab supports startups, companies, researchers, and individuals, with access to Microsoft's leading AI technologies and expertise, fostering innovation, commercialization, and community engagement.

Expected Outcomes

• More than 100 businesses served

• More than 450 discrete engagements

• Creation of 370 jobs

OK Autonomous serves as the shared sales force for Oklahoma's small and midsized manufacturers — sourcing qualified opportunities, facilitating buyer introductions, and translating manufacturing strengths into revenue.

Advanced Research and Manufacturing Center

OK Autonomous serves as a sales organization for all TARMAC projects to attract OEMs and purchase orders for small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) in Tulsa to expand business.

Expected Outcomes

• Qualified buyer introductions and engagement meetings

• Opportunities sourced

• Contracts Awarded, POs Received, and Revenue Generated

OMA is a network of trusted experts working with Oklahoma manufacturers to help them grow and evolve. Our team includes field agents, applications engineers, & manufacturing specialists in communities across the state.

Advanced Research and Manufacturing Supply Chain Analysis & Technical Assistance Programs

The Supply Chain Analysis Program is a data-driven initiative to identify applicable autonomous component manufacturing opportunities, translating these opportunities into the Tulsa landscape by strategically identifying capable or near-capable small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs).​

Led by both the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance and Tulsa Economic Development Corporation, the Technical Assistance program is designed to develop a strong pipeline of potential clients and connect them with technical assistance available through the program to expand autonomous systems-related manufacturing activities.

Expected Outcomes

• $16 million in SBA504 funds deployed (Supply Chain Analysis Program)

• $16 million in SSBCI funds deployed (Supply Chain Analysis Program)

• $7.5 million revolving equity fund (Supply Chain Analysis Program)

• New and retained jobs (Technical Assistance Program) 

• New and retained sales (Technical Assistance Program) 

• Cost savings (Technical Assistance Program) 

• New investment (Technical Assistance Program) 

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Registered Apprentice Program

Headed by the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance and accredited by the US Department of Labor, the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is a nationally recognized apprenticeship model that uses technical assistance, tax credits and quality programming to build entry-level talent for employers that is equivalent to an Associate's degree. ​

Expected Outcomes

• 180-210 new apprenticeship placements

Oklahoma State University (OSU) is Oklahoma's land-grant research university; its OSU-Tulsa campus and OAIRE division support advanced mobility, aerospace, and engineering research and workforce pipelines for the Tulsa region.

Advanced Research and Manufacturing Supply Chain Analysis Program

The Supply Chain Analysis Program is a data-driven initiative to identify applicable autonomous component manufacturing opportunities, translating these opportunities into the Tulsa landscape by strategically identifying capable or near-capable small and medium-sized manufacturers.​

Expected Outcomes

• New and retained jobs

• New and retained sales

• Cost savings

• New investment

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College Park Engineering Pathway

An expansion of an existing collaboration to allow students to earn an associate degree in engineering from Tulsa Community College (TCC) and then transition seamlessly to Oklahoma State University-Tulsa (OSU-Tulsa) for a bachelor’s degree. The goal is to develop a stronger engineering talent pipeline to support advanced mobility, aerospace, and autonomous systems industries in the Tulsa region.

Expected Outcomes

• 67-82 students over the four-year program

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Defense Innovation Pathways

The Defense Innovation Pathways initiative will establish a contracting pathway for cybersecure startups to enter defense supply chains, showcasing autonomous system innovations and securing government contracts. It is focused on helping Tulsa-based companies expand access to DOD contracts, including Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements, thereby strengthening Tulsa’s role in national security.

Expected Outcomes

• At least five Tulsa startups enrolled in OTA

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GreenUAS Certifications

Led by the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), GreenUAS is a cybersecurity certification program that assesses the security risks of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and ensures compliance with NIST standards for commercial and government use. The University of Tulsa conducts cyber assessments, while Oklahoma State University provides hardware teardown services of the aircraft.

Expected Outcomes

• 300+ UAS and component companies

• 100 new firms in GreenUAS

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Launchpad Research and Technology Center: Fellowship

This sub-initiative creates dedicated laboratory and office space, a high-bay facility, and an auditorium in support of a Fellowship program to allow students to pursue a flexible advanced degree pathway in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, or materials engineering, focused on AAM. It is designed to feed into a companion commercialization program.

Expected Outcomes

• 5 AAM-focused faculty at OSU Tulsa

• 10 entrepreneurial graduate students

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Launchpad Research and Technology Center: Commercialization

This sub-initiative creates dedicated laboratory and office space, a high-bay facility, and an auditorium in support of commercialization of research produced by entrepreneurial graduate students through a support system with access to mentors, an investor network and funding, and an industry consortium.It is designed to be fed from a companion faculty and educational fellowship program.

Expected Outcomes

• 5 startups per year at program scale-up

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Workforce Intermediary

A connector between industry demands and workforce development through partnerships among educational institutions, employers, and community organizations. Its primary purpose is to align training programs with the evolving needs of the autonomous systems sector, ensuring that the local talent pool is equipped with relevant skills.

Expected Outcomes

• 3,600 upskilled and retrained participants

Skyway Range provides an unparalleled set of environments for research and testing of innovative unmanned systems. Four Droneports, 114 nautical mile perimeter, and 1,200 square miles of urban / rural testing environments.

Skyway Range Business Development
Target the appropriate startup, Department of Defense contractors, and corporate end users to utilize the additional specific testing capabilities of Skyway Range.‍

Expected Outcomes

• $60 million in Tulsa economic development
• 1,400 new jobs

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Skyway Range Advanced Mobility Test Site
Build a state-of-the-art beyond visual line of sight flight test range that bridges the urban-rural divide, making Tulsa a destination for testing advanced mobility technology.

Skyway Range provides an unparalleled set of environments for research and testing of innovative unmanned systems. Four Droneports, 114 nautical mile perimeter, and 1,200 square miles of urban / rural testing environments.

Skyway Range Business Development

Target the appropriate startup, Department of Defense contractors, and corporate end users to utilize the additional specific testing capabilities of Skyway Range.

Expected Outcomes

• $60 million in Tulsa economic development

• 1,400 new jobs

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Skyway Range Advanced Mobility Test Site

Build a state-of-the-art beyond visual line of sight flight test range that bridges the urban-rural divide, making Tulsa a destination for testing advanced mobility technology.

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Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) Secure Testing System

Accelerate the development and deployment of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) technologies by creating a globally unique, complex, and secure testing environment at Skyway Range

Expected Outcomes

• $60 million in Tulsa economic development

• 1,400 new jobs

PartnerTulsa is the City of Tulsa's economic development authority, formed by merging the Mayor's Office of Economic Development, Tulsa Industrial Authority, Tulsa Parking Authority, and Economic Development Commission into a single public trust focused on inclusive economic growth.

Pathways to Autonomy

K-12 Community EngagementPathways to Autonomy is a citywide STEM initiative designed to prepare Tulsa youth for careers in autonomous systems, robotics, and advanced mobility technologies.The program provides high-impact, hands-on learning experiences from kindergarten through high school—expanding access to after-school robotics, drone technology, coding, and engineering clubs across Tulsa. By building clear pathways from curiosity to career, the initiative aims positions Tulsa as a national hub for talent in autonomous systems and advanced mobility.

Expected Outcomes

• Students served: an estimated 750+ students over the course of the initiative

• Educators supported: 25+ teachers annually to lead and facilitate clubsDepth of engagement: 28–84 hours of STEM programming per student, per year

• Career connections: 100+ career exposure touchpoints annually connecting students with local industry professionals

TEDC Creative Capital (Tulsa Economic Development Corporation) is a certified Community Development Financial Institution founded in 1979 that provides non-traditional small business loans and entrepreneurial education to help Tulsa and Oklahoma businesses start, expand, and create jobs.

Advanced Research and Manufacturing Technical Assistance Program

Led by both the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance and Tulsa Economic Development Corporation, the Technical Assistance program is designed to develop a strong pipeline of potential clients and connect them with technical assistance available through the program.

Expected Outcomes

• $16 million in SBA504 funds deployed

• $16 million in SSBCI funds deployed

• $7.5 million revolving equity fund

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Advanced Research and Manufacturing Strategic Small Business Lending Program

In collaboration with the Technical Assistance Program led by Oklahoma Manufacturing alliance, this initiative aims to open new financing opportunities to grow and create a more resilient domestic autonomous systems supply chain. It will develop a robust pipeline of potential borrowers for the AAM and UAS industry and ensure small businesses can qualify based upon lending criteria.

Expected Outcomes

•11 bank participants from across the region

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Microsoft Cyber + AI Lab

As part of Black Tech Street's Greenwood AI Center of Excellence, the Microsoft Cyber + AI Lab supports startups, companies, researchers, and individuals, with access to Microsoft's leading AI technologies and expertise, fostering innovation, commercialization, and community engagement.

Expected Outcomes

• More than 100 businesses served

• More that 450 discrete engagements

• Creation of 370 jobs

The Opportunity Project is Tulsa's lead agency for expanded learning, connecting youth, families, schools, and community partners to ensure equitable access to high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs.

Pathways to Autonomy

Pathways to Autonomy is a citywide STEM initiative designed to prepare Tulsa youth for careers in autonomous systems, robotics, and advanced mobility technologies. The program provides high-impact, hands-on learning experiences from kindergarten through high school—expanding access to after-school robotics, drone technology, coding, and engineering clubs across Tulsa.

Tulsa Community College (TCC) is the largest two-year public college in Oklahoma, offering associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training programs, including pathways into engineering, advanced mobility, and other high-growth industries.

‍Advanced Air Mobility Certificates

This initiative aims to increase enrollment in Tulsa Community College’s (TCC) engineering technology, electrical technician, and aerospace drafting certificate programs, thereby expanding the region’s skilled workforce to support advanced mobility industries.

Expected Outcomes

• 8 aerospace drafting certification cohorts

•8 electrical technician certification cohorts

•150-200 engineering technology certifications

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College Park Engineering Pathway

An expansion of an existing collaboration to allow students to earn an associate degree in engineering from Tulsa Community College (TCC) and then transition seamlessly to Oklahoma State University-Tulsa (OSU-Tulsa) for a bachelor’s degree. The goal is to develop a stronger engineering talent pipeline to support advanced mobility, aerospace, and autonomous systems industries in the Tulsa region.

Expected Outcomes‍

• 67-82 students over the four-year program

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Stackable Credential Micro-Pathways

The TCC Stackable Credential Micro-Pathway will ensure that students gain industry-recognized qualifications that support direct employment opportunities and career progression. Through industry collaboration, learners will engage in real-world, employer-validated projects, enhancing their skillsets in AI-driven automation, robotics, and data-driven decision-making.

Expected Outcomes

• 40 unique learners earning multiple credentials

Tulsa For You is a collection of GKFF-affiliated talent attraction and economic growth programs, including inTulsa, working to build a vibrant, inclusive Tulsa economy.

Labor Market Observatory

Alongside Tulsa Innovation Lab’s Workforce Intermediary, the Labor Market Observatory (LMO) tracks workforce trends, providing real-time data on job demand, skill requirements in fast-evolving industries, and regional shortages. This data-driven approach helps align educational programs with industry needs, ensuring a skilled workforce to support Tulsa’s leadership in advanced industries such as autonomous systems.

Expected Outcomes‍

• 400-500+ participants across all programs

The Tulsa Higher Education Consortium (THE Consortium) is a collaboration of nine Tulsa-area colleges and universities working to improve student success, degree completion, and transfer pathways, while aligning higher education with regional workforce needs.

Tech Hub Talent Training

Supports students in technology, engineering, and applied sciences at Tulsa-area institutions through academic guidance, career development, and industry connections. Managed by the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium, it aligns training with industry needs, offering upskilling and on-the-job experience to prepare students for careers in autonomous technologies.

Expected Outcomes

• At least 100 cross-consortium students

Tulsa Ports operates two of the largest multi-modal shipping complexes and industrial parks in the Midwest, at the Port of Catoosa and Port of Inola, providing barge, rail, and truck access that supports over $300 million in annual economic impact for Oklahoma.

Tulsa Ports

Tulsa Ports is completing construction of wastewater treatment facilities to make their Port of Inola site ready for large manufacturing tenants, with a focus on tenants whose manufacturing and materials can contribute to the advanced mobility industry. The Tulsa Port of Inola was recently announced as the location of the Emirates Global Aluminum primary aluminum plant, an approximately $3.2 billion capital investment expected to create over 1,000 jobs for the region.

Expected Outcomes

• Over 28,000 jobs

• $4.5B economic impact

Tulsa Tech (Tulsa Technology Center) is Oklahoma's oldest and largest CareerTech technology center, providing hands-on career and technical training, apprenticeships, and customized workforce development for Tulsa-area employers and students.

Advanced Mobility Associate Certificates

Integrates drone assembly, programming, and FAA Part 107 flight training to prepare students for in-demand drone operations and manufacturing jobs. A 40-hour hybrid program led by Tulsa Tech and supported by recruitment and wraparound services, the program provides students with a certification that serves as a direct recruitment channel for Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance’s (OMA) apprenticeship programs.

Expected Outcomes

• 342 trained in advanced mobility pathways

• 36 certifications earned189 job placements

The University of Tulsa (TU) is a private research university and national leader in cybersecurity education and research, home to the Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute and one of the first dedicated academic cyber departments in the country.

Artificial Intelligence Minor Degree Program

The University of Tulsa offers interdisciplinary AI minor courses for a broad range of students both on campus and from Tulsa-area high schools.

Expected Outcomes

• 100 minors awarded in artificial intelligence

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GreenUAS Certifications

Led by the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), GreenUAS is a cybersecurity certification program that assesses the security risks of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and ensures compliance with NIST standards for commercial and government use. The University of Tulsa conducts cyber assessments, while Oklahoma State University provides hardware teardown services of the aircraft.

Expected Outcomes

• 300+ UAS and component companies

• 100 new firms in GreenUAS

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Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute

OCII aims to attract top cyber talent, develop workforce pipelines, and expand research and commercialization efforts in Oklahoma. Led by the University of Tulsa (TU), a national leader in cybersecurity education and research, OCII will enhance applied and translational research, tech transfer, and commercialization infrastructure, positioning Oklahoma as a cybersecurity innovation hub.

Expected Outcomes

• Foster the creation of cyber companies

• Recruit world-class research faculty

• Develop a high-quality cyber workforce

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Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) Secure Testing System

Accelerate the development and deployment of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) technologies by creating a globally unique, complex, and secure testing environment at Skyway Range.

Expected Outcomes

• $60 million in Tulsa economic development

• 1,400 new jobs