BUILD UP Tech 2026 – Build In Tulsa

Four Weeks to BUILD UP

Applications close February 22, 2026

BUILD UP Tech 2026 is a hands-on, readiness-focused four-week program for very early-stage founders who want to move from “I think this could work” to “I have evidence that this should exist.”

You don’t need to be a technical expert.

You don’t need a perfect pitch.

You do need clarity, structure, and a way to test whether your idea actually works.

You need BUILD UP.

Program Details

BUILD UP Tech 2026 is a four-week series of workshops in March 2026. It's where ideas get tested, shaped, and prepared for what comes next. This program is designed for people who are curious about building a tech-based startup, even if they don’t speak the language yet.

This program is for you if:

You have an idea for an app, platform, or tech-enabled solution
You’re not sure if the problem is real and want to find out
You want to learn by doing, not just listening
You’re open to feedback and ready to test assumptions
You’re based in Tulsa or committed to building here

You do not need:

A technical background
A finished product
A pitch deck
Investors

BUILD UP helps you build toward those things the right way.

What Makes BUILD UP Different

BUILD UP is not an accelerator.
It’s not a pitch competition.
It’s not about scaling or fundraising (yet).

Instead, BUILD UP focuses on:

Validating the problem before building the solution
Turning ideas into clickable prototypes or MVP plans
Using modern tools (including AI) to move faster
Preparing founders for accelerators, fellowships, and pitch opportunities, with evidence

Think of BUILD UP as the step before the step everyone rushes into.

What You’ll Walk Away With

By the end of BUILD UP Tech 2026, most participants will have real progress by building:

A clear, validated problem statement‍

A deep understanding of the ideal customer, informed by real customer conversations

Actionable insights pulled directly from customer interviews

A clickable prototype or MVP plan

A working business model

A 90-day execution plan, including an early go-to-market experiment

How the program works

Week 1: From Idea to Validated Problem

March 7, 2026
Theme: getting clear on what you’re actually building, and for whom.
—
This week is all about slowing down before you build, so you don’t build the wrong thing.

Week 2: Designing & Scoping the MVP

March 14, 2026
Theme: Turning insight into something you can test
—
Now that you’ve talked to real people, it’s time to shape the solution.

Week 3: Business Mechanics: Money, Market, and Operations

March 21, 2026
Theme: Understanding how this could become a real business
—
This week focuses on the practical stuff founders often avoid, but shouldn’t.

Week 4: Pitch-Ready & Pathway-Ready

March 28, 2026
Theme: Showing progress, telling the story, and planning what’s next
—
This isn’t about winning a pitch, it’s about being ready to pitch when the time comes.

Partner Programs
that accelerate your growth

We've teamed up with these accelerators and investors to open new doors for Tulsans, offering greater access to funding, mentorship, and resources. Let’s find the program that’s right for you.

Built for Tulsa and for Founders Often Left Out

BUILD UP Tech 2026 intentionally centers:

Diverse and underestimated founders
Tulsa-based or Tulsa-committed builders
People who haven’t always had access to tech spaces

Innovation doesn’t belong to a few — it belongs to anyone willing to learn and do the work.

Apply Today Join an Info Session

Interested in building or scaling a physical product?

Check out BUILD UP CPG

Build In Tulsa provides entrepreneurs with a network of accelerators, mentoring, education, networking, and direct financial assistance to build community and strategic partnerships.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

BUILD UPTech 2026