Archived Awards Content

Awards issued prior to 2025 represent actions taken during previous administrations and do not necessarily reflect current investment priorities.

Tulsa Tech Hub

Tech Hubs Official Designee Badge

Lead Agency: Tulsa Innovation Labs  

State Served: Oklahoma  

Applicant-Defined Region: Greater Tulsa Region  

Core Technology Area: secure autonomous systems  

Contact: Jennifer Hankins ([email protected])  

Media Contact: Hayden Hinchey ([email protected])

Organizational Link: https://www.tulsainnovationlabs.com/

The Tulsa Tech Hub, led by Tulsa Innovation Labs, aims to become a global leader in developing and commercializing autonomous systems for use cases ranging from agriculture and pipeline inspections to regional transportation. This Tech Hub will leverage the Greater Tulsa Region’s EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge award, its university-based research institutes in uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and cybersecurity technologies, the Skyway Range flight corridor testing facility, and existing capital investments. These regional assets will enable the Hub to develop and innovate autonomous systems applications while increasing their security and integrity. This has the potential to strengthen national and economic security while connecting small manufacturers across the region with opportunities in the autonomous systems supply chain.  

The Tulsa Tech Hub seeks to be a hub for the development, testing, and manufacturing of trustworthy autonomous systems. 

In July 2024, EDA awarded this Tech Hub grant funding of approximately $51 million to implement six projects, including: 

  • Increasing coordination on commercialization strategies among universities and the startups they support;
  • Building a state-of-the-art testing and simulation environment–with a focus on cyber and data management–for companies, researchers and regulatory entities to address barriers to commercial adoption;  
  • Developing programs to identify opportunities for manufacturers in autonomous systems supply chains and build out a manufacturing demonstration center where small companies can scale their capabilities; 
  • Creating an AI Center of Excellence to expand opportunities and increase exposure to technology for communities in the Hub region; 
  • Expanding workforce programs to align training with industry needs, provide upskilling, and offer on-the-job training opportunities; and 
  • Establishing governance structures to execute projects, pursue additional funding and drive the Hub’s strategy.  

To ensure that the benefits of Tech Hubs investments accrue across the Tulsa region, the Hub will provide wraparound support services, such as childcare and transportation, for every participant in its workforce programs.

Press Releases

Additional Designations Earned in Region

Build Back Better Regional Challenge Badge Winner