Global Entrepreneurship Week kicks off Monday in Tulsa giving people free access to about 30 workshops meant to help train and inspire local entrepreneurs. The event is worldwide and runs from Nov. 17-21 across 100 cities.
Gradient, Tulsa’s nonprofit innovation hub and event organizer, designed this year’s event to focus on educating Tulsans on the city’s growing business sector and arts and culture scene. It marks the ninth year Gradient will host Global Entrepreneurship Week.
“(The events are) all designed to inspire, equip and educate entrepreneurs, innovators, downtown dwellers, people that like being in the mix,” said Jamie Leupen, vice president of marketing at Gradient. “(It’s to) help them upscale, help them make connections and help them take the next step in their journey, whatever that may be.”
Each event will take place at Gradient at 12 N. Cheyenne Ave. and attendees must RSVP. They can choose between six different tracks:
- Tulsa Voices focuses on how policies come together to help entrepreneurs. This track will feature a town hall Nov. 21 between attendees and policymakers such as Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell to discuss how representatives can help entrepreneurs to overcome obstacles.
- Professional Playbook will equip attendees with sales and marketing skills to build out any business. Shar Ceasar Douglas, a former marketing executive from Tidal, is the keynote speaker Nov. 18.
- Tech and innovation is an informational track on the future of tech and workforce opportunities in Tulsa. A keynote presentation featuring Microsoft, Nvidia and Black Tech Street is Nov. 17.
- Growth + Capital brings different funding entities together in Tulsa to help inform entrepreneurs on how they can get their business funded. Stephen Knight, business adviser at Oklahoma SBDC, will lead an advisory session on grants, loans and capital readiness Nov. 19.
- Commerce to counter provides resources for businesses in the retail or brick and mortar space. A panel on the beauty industry is Nov. 19, and Build in Tulsa will host a product pitch night Nov. 20.
- Create at Gradient highlights Tulsa’s creative scene. It will feature an art unveiling installed into Gradient’s new facility Nov. 21 and feature an event on how AI is affecting the music business.
People can attend any session, regardless of their chosen track.
“Our goal this year by having these different types of tracks is to lower that barrier to entry for a lot of entrepreneurs,” said Jaslyn Ferguson, Gradient’s director of programs. “A lot of times they don’t know where to get started, and so by guiding them in this way…we’re hoping to really yield programming that really makes a difference and impacts how these companies can move forward.”
Leupen told The Eagle that Gradient wanted this year’s celebration to highlight Tulsa’s culture and bring life into the week. A film screening for FX’s show “The Lowdown” is Nov. 20, and a chef tasting panel from different parts of the city’s culinary scene is Nov. 18.
Gradient is expecting over 1,000 people to attend Global Entrepreneurship Week.
“Entrepreneurship can change the economic landscape and create mobility for people who typically haven’t seen that in their lives,” Leupen said.
Ismael Lele is a Report for America corps member and writes about business in Tulsa for The Oklahoma Eagle. Your donation to match our Report for America grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting this link.
