A consortium of partners, led by Tulsa
Innovation Labs, equips Greater Tulsa Region to advance U.S. global
leadership in trustworthy and equitable autonomous technologies
Today, the Biden-Harris administration and the U.S. Economic
Development Administration (EDA) awarded approximately $51 million
to the Tulsa Hub for Equitable and Trustworthy Autonomy (THETA) – a
consortium led by Tulsa Innovation Labs – to strengthen the
region’s capacity in autonomous systems through advanced
manufacturing and deployment of technologies critical to the future
of national and economic security. Tulsa is one of 12 Tech Hubs
awarded funding out of the 31 regions to receive “Tech Hub”
designations last fall.
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The Tech Hubs funding will enhance the
capabilities of Tulsa’s unique drone research and testing
infrastructure, leveraging the region’s assets such as Osage
Nation’s-based Skyway 36 (pictured here). (Photo: Business
Wire)
Tulsa’s legacy of innovation, extensive assets and federal
investment, including the Greater Tulsa Region’s 2022 EDA Build
Back Better Regional Challenge award, enables the region to advance
U.S. global leadership in trustworthy and equitable autonomous
systems – such as uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and autonomous
vehicles, drones and robotics – with use cases ranging from
agriculture and pipeline inspections to regional
transportation.
“Tulsa Innovation Labs has long believed there is no city in the
country as well-equipped to lead this next era of industrial
innovation as Tulsa,” said Jennifer Hankins, managing director of
Tulsa Innovation Labs, an initiative of the George Kaiser Family
Foundation. “With a legacy shaped by aerospace and manufacturing,
Tulsa is pioneering the future of innovation. In partnership with
Osage Nation, Cherokee Nation, Black Tech Street among others, our
community is ready to lead the way developing these technologies
with a commitment to security and trustworthiness, ensuring the
benefits and jobs are widely accessible."
With the EDA’s Tech Hubs funding, the Greater Tulsa Region is
set to stake a claim on the $1.36 trillion global autonomous
systems market and create up to 56,000 equitable new jobs in the
next decade. Innovations in this industry – whether protecting
Americans on the battlefield or delivering medicine to rural
communities – are critical to the future of U.S. economic
competitiveness and national security. This funding ensures these
technological marvels are “Tested and Made in Tulsa, USA.”
Innovations in autonomous technologies across commercial and
defense use cases are critical to the future of U.S. economic
competitiveness and national security. Tulsa will leverage this
award to support six projects that are:
- 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 trustworthy and equitable autonomous systems supply chains and
building 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 underserved communities;
- 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 Tech Hub’s strategy.
The final grant amount will be finalized in the coming
months.
THETA was co-led by a steering committing including Black Tech
Street (BTS), Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB), L3Harris Aeromet,
Madison Strategies Group (MSG), NORDAM, Oklahoma State University
(OSU), Osage LLC, PartnerTulsa, Radius Capital, The University of
Tulsa (TU), Tulsa Community College (TCC) and Tulsa Economic
Development Corporation (TEDC).
“We're always excited to see a project such as THETA that
improves the regional economy and has the potential to help
Cherokee Nation Businesses expand into the autonomous systems and
component manufacturing industry, support growing defense and
commercial needs and shore up critical supply chains,” said Chuck
Garrett, chief executive officer of Cherokee Nation Businesses, LLC
(CNB). “This project coincides with Cherokee Nation’s approach to
improve the lives of its citizens and strengthen the regional
economy of northeastern Oklahoma.”
"The Greenwood AI/AS Center of Excellence (G-ACE) opens the door
for Black Tulsans to secure good jobs in tech,” said Tyrance
Billingsley II, founder and executive director of Black Tech
Street. “The Black Tech Street vision is to rebirth Black Wall
Street into the world’s premier Black innovation economy. Putting
G-ACE in the Historic Greenwood District honors the legacy of this
neighborhood, and with Microsoft’s partnership we are delivering on
the BTS mission to catalyze Black wealth creation in the Greater
Tulsa Region and beyond.”
“Osage LLC’s commitment to the growth and success of the region
is evident through our track record of successful collaboration
with several THETA partners and our development at Skyway 36,” said
Russell Goff, chief executive officer of Osage LLC, an economic
development engine of the Osage Nation. “We’re thrilled to continue
this important work through THETA’s SAFE-T project, which will
create additional research and development opportunities, further
increasing the attractiveness of our region to drone and autonomous
systems companies.”
Tulsa’s award is part of the EDA Tech Hubs program, a historic
$500 million investment in technologies critical to national
security and U.S. economic competitiveness. The program challenged
regions to bring together a diverse coalition of partners. The
consortium that participated in the Tulsa Hub for Equitable and
Trustworthy Autonomy (THETA) proposal includes more than 75
partners across public and private sectors.
"A diverse, resilient and inclusive industry base that harnesses
the talents of many ensures that benefits are shared widely," said
Ken Levit, executive director of the George Kaiser Family
Foundation. “Thanks to the leadership of Tulsa Innovation Labs and
to visionary partners such as the EDA, this investment in Tulsa's
regional economy will amplify our local efforts to ensure Tulsa is
a thriving community that affords opportunities to all.”
Learn more about THETA and see a full list of partners at
TechHubTulsa.com.
About Tulsa Innovation Labs
Tulsa Innovation Labs is an initiative of the George Kaiser
Family Foundation founded in 2020 to catalyze Tulsa's leadership in
industries of the future. By uniting the public and private
sectors, we are building a world-class tech hub in America's
heartland that unlocks opportunity for all.
About Black Tech Street
Black Tech Street is an organization founded to rebirth Black
Wall Street as a Black Innovation Economy and catalyze a movement
that sees Black people embrace technology as a means to build
wealth and impact the world. Black Tech Street architects and
secures Black tech focused economic and industry development
opportunities for the Greenwood community and serves as a chief
storyteller for Black Wall Street's 21st century rebirth.
About Cherokee Nation Businesses
Cherokee Nation Businesses is the tribally owned holding company
of one of the largest Indian Nations in the United States. The
Cherokee Nation and its businesses employ 11,000 people. CNB blends
its heritage of ingenuity with modern business experience to solve
complex challenges, serve clients nationwide and to remain one of
the drivers of Cherokee Nation's prosperity and stability. CNB owns
companies in the consulting, health sciences, hospitality, real
estate, technology, distribution and logistics, engineering,
manufacturing, construction and environmental services industries.
For more information, please visit www.CherokeeNationBusinesses.com
or follow CNB on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
About L3Harris Aeromet
L3Harris Technologies is the Trusted Disruptor in the defense
industry. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind,
our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting
the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of
national security.
About Madison Strategies Group
Madison Strategies Group is an evidence-based nonprofit
workforce development organization with a dedication to empowering
underserved populations through comprehensive education and
employment services at no cost. The organization equips Tulsans
with the necessary skills and training to attain economic mobility
through career readiness training, post-secondary education,
industry-recognized credentials and other services. Over 12 years,
MSG has helped more than 3,000 low-income individuals in Tulsa
begin rewarding careers in high-demand sectors.
About NORDAM
Founded in 1969 on family values, NORDAM continues a tradition
of building bonds that last. With multiple, strategically-located
operations and customer support facilities around the world, Tulsa,
Oklahoma-based NORDAM is a leading independently owned aerospace
company. The firm designs, certifies and manufactures integrated
propulsion systems, nacelles and thrust reversers for business
jets; builds composite aircraft structures, interior shells, custom
cabinetry and radomes; and manufactures aircraft transparencies,
such as cabin windows, wing-tip lens assemblies and flight deck
windows. NORDAM is also a major third-party provider of
maintenance, repair and overhaul services to the military,
commercial airline and air freight markets. Learn more at
https://www.nordam.com.
About Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University is a premier land-grant university
that prepares students for success. Through teaching, research and
Extension, OSU engages communities and empowers servant-leaders to
meet society’s most pressing challenges. OSU is the largest
university system in Oklahoma and has more than 34,000 students
across its five-campus system and more than 25,000 on its combined
Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and
more than 125 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more
than 280,000 students to serve the state of Oklahoma, the nation
and the world.
About Osage LLC
Osage LLC is a division of the Osage Nation, a federally
recognized Native American tribal government with headquarters in
Pawhuska, Oklahoma. We are proud of our heritage, poised for the
future, and driven to deliver prosperity for our people and
partners.
About PartnerTulsa
PartnerTulsa is the City of Tulsa’s economic development
authority that streamlines and strengthens Tulsa’s economic
development efforts through the merging of the Mayor’s Office of
Economic Development (MOED), Tulsa Industrial Authority (TIA),
Tulsa Parking Authority (TPA), and Economic Development Commission
(EDC) into a single, enhanced Public Trust. PartnerTulsa (aka TAEO)
is governed by a 13-member Board of Trustees and provides staffing
for and oversees the operations of the Tulsa Development Authority
(TDA).
About Radius Capital
Radius Capital invests in early-stage deep tech, software, and
AI systems that redefine what is possible in aerospace. Based in
San Francisco and Tulsa, and with focus on aerospace value chains,
end markets and networks, we identify and invest in the software,
design and development tools, AI, robotics, advanced manufacturing,
and new concepts that enable next-generation aerospace
capabilities. Our aerospace-first approach isn't just about flight
- it's about building complex cyber-physical systems capable of
operating autonomously and reliably in the fog and friction of the
real world, impacting industries beyond aerospace. We serve as
advisors to NASA and the National Academies of Science and host the
aerospace industry’s leading innovation podcast, The Vertical
Space.
About The University of Tulsa
The University of Tulsa is located on a 200-acre residential
campus along historic Route 66 just two miles from downtown Tulsa.
TU is among the top 15% of U.S. News & World Report's best
colleges and was ranked No. 20 among U.S. universities that
emphasize science, technology, engineering and math by Forbes
Magazine. With a perfect score from Money Magazine for Best
Colleges in America, TU is in elite company nationwide for
graduation and placement rates, cost of attendance, financial aid
and alumni salaries. To learn more, visit utulsa.edu.
About Tulsa Community College
Tulsa Community College, winner of two national Awards of
Excellence from the American Association of Community Colleges in
2021, is a vital link to workforce development for northeast
Oklahoma. Serving more Oklahomans than any other higher education
institution in the state, TCC has four main campuses with roughly
21,000 students in credit courses each year. For five decades, TCC
has provided access to an affordable college education. As one of
30 community colleges selected for the inaugural Pathways Project,
a national initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation, TCC is one of the most comprehensive community colleges
in the United States. For more information on TCC, visit
www.tulsacc.edu.
About Tulsa Economic Development Corporation
Tulsa Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) helps grow
communities by supporting startups and growing businesses with loan
capital, entrepreneurial resources and affordable space critical
for success. TEDC’s vision is to operate in an ecosystem where
obstacles are removed and resources are plentiful to level the
playing field for all who desire to build successful businesses,
despite their zip code, race or personal financial situation.
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Jessica Remer - Jessica@tulsainnovationlabs.com