Late last year, The University of Tulsa’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) was recognized as an Outstanding Emerging Entrepreneurship Center by the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers and as a Model Emerging Program finalist by the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. These honors underscore the CIE’s growing impact as a launchpad for student, faculty and alumni ventures.
Student engagement continues to climb, with entrepreneurship courses now enrolling more than 15% of all UTulsa undergraduates. More than 200 students participate annually in JOLT, the CIE’s co-curricular program where interdisciplinary teams tackle real-world challenges. New academic offerings – including Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Introduction to Venture Capital and Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (with a study abroad experience in Ireland) – broaden access and perspective.
Tulsa student ventures are also gaining funding and traction. In 2024, student teams earned $25,000 in the Hurricane Pitch Competition (in partnership with Regent Bank), $34,000 at the Love’s Entrepreneur’s Cup and $5,000 from the Reignier Venture Creation Challenge. UTulsa also made a strong showing at TCU’s Global Values and Ventures Competition. At the center of this startup ecosystem is Hurricane Ventures, UTulsa’s pre-seed to seed-stage venture fund, which has invested nearly $903,000 in nine startups, including recent support for CubeNexus and Lyceum AI. Collectively, CIE-backed startups have raised more than $53 million in early-stage capital. One standout spinout, SkinCheck, founded by UTulsa students Julian Abhari and Daniel Marques, recently completed MIT’s C10 program and is currently in clinical trials at the Roux Institute in Maine.
The CIE is also leading through community-focused innovation. In partnership with the Cherokee Nation, former Collins College of Business Dean Kathy Taylor and the Ayana Foundation, the Cherokee Women’s AcceleratHER Fellowship has awarded more than $150,000 in non-dilutive seed funding to 10 women founders while providing mentorship, curriculum and showcase opportunities.
From the classroom to the pitch stage, from across our city to across the Atlantic Ocean, the CIE proves that entrepreneurship at UTulsa is thriving.