The Startup Momentum Is Moving South - and Tulsa Is Leading the Way

In 2021 we launched Visionaries, - a coast‑to‑coast, virtual‑first accelerator program built to support founders others overlooked. Even in a digital format, we knew nothing matched the energy of gathering in-person. Our inaugural orientation landed in Tulsa—and it proved one of our smartest moves. For two straight years, we flew dozens of Visionaries to the city for intensive workshops, late‑night hangouts, and community‑building. The founders brought electric energy, but it was the warm, one-of-a-kind welcome from Build in Tulsa, Atento Capital, and countless local partners that made the experience unforgettable. Their hospitality was so compelling that the founders - and even one of our team members -decided to relocate to Tulsa.

We’ve partnered with Build in Tulsa for years, united by a mission of economic justice. Under Ashli and Desiree’s leadership, they’ve drafted a playbook for building an inclusive, thriving local economy (see How Do We Create 5,000 New Millionaires Who Reflect the Diversity of This Country?). Teaming up again feels natural as we set our sights on the broader South - the next frontier for innovation.

More than half of all pre‑seed dollars still flow to California and New York, even though the South holds 39 % of the U.S. population. That disconnect fuels our conviction.

Why the South

The South isn’t just growing - it’s booming, and the data proves it.

Follow the talent. From July 2023 to July 2024, the region welcomed 1.4 million new residents—nearly two‑thirds of total U.S. population growth. Eight of the country’s ten fastest‑growing metros—Austin, Raleigh, Orlando, Nashville, Jacksonville, Tampa, Charlotte, and Dallas—sit below the Mason‑Dixon line.

Follow the businesses. Between 2018 and 2023, companies announced 465 headquarters relocations; nearly half—209—landed in Texas. Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee followed, luring marquee names like Chevron, Oracle, Tesla, Caterpillar, and CBRE. Austin alone logged 66 HQ moves - the most of any U.S. city - thanks to lower taxes, cheaper real estate, and a speed‑friendly regulatory climate.

Follow the money. Venture capital is flocking south:

• Miami–Fort Lauderdale startups raised $2.77 B (Florida total: $4.13 B)
• Austin companies secured $2.3 B across 268 deals
• Atlanta startups captured $1.3 B, including $349 M in Q3 2024
• Raleigh‑Durham ventures landed $1.6 B

Collectively those four hubs now command nearly $10 B a year—and dozens of micro‑funds are sprouting in Birmingham, Little Rock, and Jackson, stitching early‑stage capital into historically blank spots on the VC map.

Bottom line: Talent, corporations, and capital are migrating south in lockstep, transforming the region into a full‑fledged innovation engine.

Our focus states: VA, KY, NC, TN, SC, GA, AL, MS, LA, FL, AR, TX, and OK.

Why Tulsa Is the Convener

Tulsa isn’t just another dot on the map - it’s the connective tissue linking the South’s emerging innovation corridors.

Ecosystem in overdrive

• Gradient (formerly 36° North) has supported 2,500+ founders and remote workers, generating $1.13 B in economic impact since 2016.
• Build in Tulsa has invested more than $13 M across 650 entrepreneurs, channeling the legacy of Black Wall Street into modern wealth creation.
• Tulsa Remote has attracted 3,500+ knowledge workers (and their paychecks) since 2019, replenishing talent faster than many coastal metros can replace it.

National validation & fresh capital

• In July 2024, the U.S. EDA awarded $51 M to Tulsa’s THETA Tech Hub coalition for trustworthy autonomous‑systems R&D—projected to create 56K jobs over the next decade.
• Add $90 M+ from earlier Build Back Better grants, and Tulsa wields one of the nation’s largest per‑capita federal tech‑ecosystem war chests.

Cost‑efficient launch pad

• Cost‑of‑living index: 85.3 (≈15 % below U.S. average)
• Median home price: $179 k—less than half the national median

Connected & scalable

• Tulsa International offers 22 nonstop destinations via five major carriers; new routes to NYC, D.C., and Nashville put every target hub within a two‑hour flight - often under $200 round‑trip.

Legacy that matters

• Rebuilding on the grounds of Black Wall Street injects purpose: equitable ownership, community‑driven development, and tech opportunities that close—not widen—the wealth gap.

What’s Next? Apply to Blueprint: Tulsa

Blueprint: Tulsa is a 12‑week hybrid accelerator for early‑stage tech founders focused on launching companies that are not fundraising (yet). If you’re ready to prototype, win your first customers, and draft your go‑to‑market blueprint, we’re ready to help.

Key details

• Timeline: Applications open April 28, 2025; cohort runs July–October 2025 with in‑person sprints in late July, early September, and mid‑October.
• Who: 20 underrepresented founders/teams from VA, KY, NC, TN, SC, GA, AL, MS, LA, FL, AR, TX, or OK, building tech or tech‑enabled startups.
• Stage: From concept to functional prototype
• Funding & perks: $10K non‑dilutive grant per company, plus workspace, product design support, housing stipends during on‑site weeks, and continuous 1‑on‑1 mentorship.
• Curriculum: Hands‑on workshops in customer discovery, rapid prototyping, and go‑to‑market—supercharged with AI tools to accelerate product‑market fit.

Ready to build in Tulsa? Apply now → visiblehands.vc/program-blueprinttulsa

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