Applications close March 6, 2026
Ready to take your tech startup to the next level? Join us for Build in Tulsa's next Female Founders Pitch Night!
Apply Today
Build in Tulsa’s Female Founders Pitch Night isn't just a pitch competition. It's a six-week, cohort-based training and coaching program designed for 7-9 Tulsa-based, female-identifying founders who have a tech product and are looking for capital and guidance.
If you have built out a functional tech product (aka MVP) and are preparing to enter into the market,
this competition could help you take your venture to the next level. Participants complete
structured workshops, 1:1 coaching, and pitch rehearsals that culminate in a live Pitch Night on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Only founders who complete the full program are eligible to pitch and compete for non-dilutive funding.
Venture capital funding remains disproportionately low for women-led startups, with female founders receiving just 2% of VC dollars. Build in Tulsa helps bridge this gap by increasing visibility and access to investors, creating more opportunities for these entrepreneurs to secure the funding they need to grow and thrive.
The Female Founders Pitch Competition is for MVP or market-ready tech products solving unique, innovative, and real-world problems. Build in Tulsa believes Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) has changed the landscape forever and is one of the biggest technological advancements of our time. AI isn’t "taking over"—it’s redistributing opportunity: with 40% of work impacted and 50% of VC flowing into AI-driven companies. This pitch night is designed for women founders who are shaping that future, not reacting to it. Founders will refine product roadmaps and go-to-market plans, so they can get to market faster. You could win $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500 awards to fuel your startup growth.
Founders selected for this program are typically preparing for next-step accelerators such as W.E. Build or other regional and national programs.
Virtual Health & HealthTech
Cybersecurity & FinTech
Energy, Sustainability, & ClimateTech
Advanced Manufacturing
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Don't see your tech companies industry? Don't worry you can still apply! We can't wait to see what you are building.
Apply NowWork with experts to develop a presentation that captures the attention of investors and stakeholders.
Connect with funders, accelerator partners, and fellow entrepreneurs within Tulsa’s innovation ecosystem.
Compete for up to $10,000 in awards to support your startup’s growth and development.
Over six weeks, founders participate in 7 structured workshops, 8 hours of 1:1 coaching, and multiple pitch rehearsals focused on execution—not theory. Key topics include:
Applications Close
March 6, 2026
Interviews Conducted
March 9 -March 13, 2026
Program Orientation
April 7, 2026 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM CT
MVP Validation
April 9, 2026 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM CT
Customers & Markets
April 14, 2026 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM CT
Product Roadmap
April 16, 2026 12:00 - 2:00 PM CT
Go-to-Market Workshop
April 21, 2026 from 12:00 - 2:00 PM CT
Revenue Models
April 23, 2026 from 12:00 - 2:00 PM CT
Pitch Deck Workshop
Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM CT
Pitch Practices
May 12, 14, and May 20 (Dress Rehearsal ) from 5:30 - 7:30 PM CT
Date
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Location
(TBD)
Build in Tulsa’s Female Founders Pitch Night follows a format designed to showcase our women-led startups to the Tulsa Oklahoma community.
Pitch
The founders will have 5 minutes to deliver a pitch supported by a clear and visually engaging slide deck. Focus on their startup’s value proposition, target market, traction, and growth potential.
Judges Q&A
Following the founder’s pitch, a panel of experienced judges will engage with them in a 3-minute Q&A session. The Q&A will allow the founders to demonstrate their expertise, address questions, and receive valuable feedback.
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Audience Choice
Founder of Autoimmune Al
Founder of Business Square
Founder of Advanced Tech Solutions
“The coaching and mentoring from Build in Tulsa were invaluable. NavWill wouldn’t have experienced the growth, sustainability, and success we’ve achieved without their support, guidance, and encouragement. Thank you to Build in Tulsa and the sponsors for making this opportunity possible!”
LaKayla Williams
Founder of NavWill
If you want to learn how Female Founders Pitch Night could shift the trajectory of your startup, connect with our team and we’ll fill you in.
Let's Talk