The 2024-25 academic year was a banner season for The University of Tulsa’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE), with record student participation, groundbreaking startup milestones, and bold new initiatives setting the stage for continued growth.
CIE-supported ventures earned over $34,000 in prize funding at this year’s Love’s Entrepreneur’s Cup, with four UTulsa teams named finalists. These included sustainable agriculture startup Living Waters Aquaponics; epilepsy-focused wearable technology AuraPatch; artificial intelligence productivity platform Aegis; and methane leak detection firm G&J Sensing Solutions, which also earned the Black Oak Social Innovation Award. UTulsa startups continued to make waves nationally, with AuraPatch placing third at the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge, marking the first time an Oklahoma-based team has reached the finals of the prestigious event.
CIE also championed student-led venture Tally Receipts at two major competitions: Texas Christian University’s Values & Ventures and Build in Tulsa’s Female Founders Pitch Night. Both highlighted UTulsa’s growing reputation in social entrepreneurship and women-led innovation.
Back on campus, the center hosted a standout event featuring Vista Energy CEO Miguel Galuccio co-sponsored by GridX and Atento Capital. Students heard firsthand from a global energy leader on navigating transformation in complex industries, part of CIE’s ongoing mission to connect students with change-makers.
CIE also inducted its first-ever class into Sigma Nu Tau, the national entrepreneurship honor society, becoming the first Oklahoma university to join. The honor recognizes students for their academic excellence and commitment to principled entrepreneurship.
This summer, a group of student entrepreneurs will travel to Dubli, for an immersive Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship experience. And in fall 2025, CIE will launch its Jolt Pre-Accelerator in collaboration with ACT House, providing early-stage student founders with structured, hands-on training to refine and scale their ideas.
From pitch stages to classrooms and global hubs, the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship continues to empower students to reimagine what’s possible and turn bold ideas into meaningful ventures.