Oklahoma City’s inaugural Tech Week brought founders, business leaders, and technology professionals together for conversations about financing, business operations, and growth. As Build in Tulsa’s Community Engagement Manager, I attended sessions and connected with entrepreneurs and community leaders to learn how these resources could support the founders we serve.
Oklahoma City’s first Tech Week created opportunities for entrepreneurs to discuss practical business needs: accessing financing, improving operations, testing ideas, and choosing technology that supports growth. Across the week, I met people from different industries eager to share their work and build relationships.
The official opening ceremony at Innovation Hall on Monday brought together leaders, innovators, and people invested in the region’s growth. Their enthusiasm set the tone for the conversations that followed.
Financing and Founder Connections
On Tuesday, I worked from the Better Business Bureau of Oklahoma, which provided free coworking space throughout the week. Having a place to work between sessions also created opportunities to meet other attendees.
A fireside chat with MidFirst Bank First Vice President Justin Palmer and Better Business Bureau of Oklahoma President and CEO Kitt Letcher covered the economic outlook heading into 2027, financing strategies, and what lenders look for in small businesses.
For founders in technology, consumer goods, and other industries, understanding lending requirements can help guide financing decisions and preparation before seeking capital.
That evening, Build in Tulsa’s Happy Hour Lounge introduced attendees to Arch Accelerator, our 12-week program in Tulsa for tech founders who are scaling, delivered in partnership with Visible Hands. Desiree Frieson walked through how the program helps companies move from early traction to a pre-seed or seed round, and she invited professionals in digital health, energy, aerospace and manufacturing to join as paid advisors. Applications are open through November 20 at buildintulsa.com/program/arch. Conversations connected us with entrepreneurs, investors, and people interested in supporting founders through mentorship and advisement.
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Technology, Operations, and Feedback
Wednesday’s sessions at The Verge OKC explored how businesses can put technology to work.
During the OTV workshop “Blue Collar Blueprint for Building Better Technicians,” ArtisanGenius founder Jason Emery discussed tools and strategies to improve operations and technician performance. The conversation connected technology decisions to everyday needs: reducing inefficiencies and helping teams work more effectively.
“Pitches, Pizza, and Pints,” powered by The Verge OKC, gave founders an opportunity to explain their businesses and receive community feedback. Attendees could hear what companies were building and ask questions directly.
The “Fractional CTO Fireside: From Idea Stage to Growth Stage Without Guessing or Tears,” featuring Chief Technology Officer, Terseer Shaguy, examined when businesses need a part-time chief technology officer. The discussion addressed how experienced technical leadership can guide system development and growth while keeping spending in view.
Turning AI Into Business Value
On Thursday, I returned to the Better Business Bureau for coworking and “From Prompting to Profitability,” led by founder Nahum Ducasse. The session explored how artificial intelligence tools can generate revenue, while saving a business meaningful time.
A recurring takeaway was the importance of human judgment: selecting the right tools, checking their output, and applying them to a specific business need.
Expanding Opportunity Together
Being in that room was an important reminder that our work doesn’t exist in isolation. We are part of a broader network of cities and ecosystems across the country that are intentional about building inclusive, future-ready communities. Connecting with Oklahoma City leaders, partners, and fellow ecosystem builders opened new doors for collaboration around shared goals: expanding access, supporting diverse founders, and creating pathways into tech and innovation.
Year one of anything is special. It’s where the tone is set, the culture is defined, and the foundation is laid. With tech weeks in both Tulsa and Oklahoma City, founders have more opportunities to exchange knowledge and build relationships across Oklahoma. I’m excited to see those connections develop into continued collaboration and practical support for growing businesses.