iCUE and Build in Tulsa are hosting an Investor Dinner & Learn to teach you how to actually invest in startups and tap into the innovation economy - even if you're not ultra-wealthy. Led by Mercury Fund Managing Partner Heath Butler, you'll learn how to become an accredited investor, build a smart portfolio using the A.D.D. Method, and create wealth that fuels both your future and your community.
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For many, the world of private equity and venture capital feels like a closed door, reserved only for institutional giants and the ultra-wealthy. However, the Innovation Center for Urban Entrepreneurship (iCUE) is on a mission to change that narrative. In partnership with Build in Tulsa, this upcoming "Investor Dinner & Learn" is designed to provide you with the education, resources, and pathways needed to build thriving businesses and generate lasting wealth.
Here is why attending this event is a vital value-add for your financial future:
We are currently entering "Wave 6" of innovation, a 25-year cycle dominated by AI, IoT, robotics, and clean tech. This wave alone is projected to create between $1.5to $3 trillion in value over the next decade. Attendees will learn how to shift their perspective from being mere consumers to becoming owners in this rapidly expanding economic ecosystem.
Investing in private markets requires a fundamental mental shift compared to public markets. While public markets offer daily liquidity, private markets are often illiquid with long time horizons. This session will explain why this "Private Alpha" is worth the risk, offering potential for outsized returns and access to innovation long before a company goes public.
One of the biggest hurdles to private investing is understanding SEC accreditation rules. You will learn exactly what it means to be an "accredited investor"—traditionally defined by having a $1M net worth or specific income thresholds—and explore modern, expanded pathways that now include licensed professionals. Understanding these rules is the first step toward accessing exclusive venture funds and private equity opportunities.
Perhaps the most practical takeaway from the event is the A.D.D. Method for early-stage investing:
● Affordable: Learn how to build exposure responsibly without writing oversized checks.
● Diversified: Understand the "Power Law" of venture returns, where a small number of companies drive most of the profit, making a portfolio-based approach essential.
● De risked: Discover how to invest with structure alongside experienced managers rather than "going it alone".
The iCUE vision goes beyond personal gain. By creating a new class of investors in urban communities, wealth is generated that can be reinvested to fuel further local growth and close the wealth gap. Attendees will see how economic achievement can subside social tribulations and create a self-sustaining ecosystem.
The session, led by experienced investor Heath Butler, who is currently the Managing Partner at Mercury Fund. This session will cover everything from sourcing and vetting deals to understanding term sheets and valuations. Whether you are interested in direct angel investing, joining an angel group, or participating through venture funds, this event provides a structured, professional environment to accelerate your learning curve.