Techstars, a global accelerator, has made significant strides since launching in Tulsa a few years ago.

But it feels it could soar even higher with additional coaching.

That is why Techstars program director Britni Brown made a plea for mentors March 6 at the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s Technology Council Meeting at Cabin Boys Brewpub.

“What we want to do is truly invest in these companies with the Tulsa ecosystem to help them grow in scale,” Brown said.

The Build in Tulsa Techstars program is made possible through partnerships with the George Kaiser Family Foundation, Build in Tulsa and the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology.

The program, which supports under-represented entrepreneurs, hosts two, 13-week programs annually at local innovation hub Gradient.

“We are fortunate to have Techstars in Tulsa,” said Devon Laney, CEO of Gradient. “I have served as a mentor for Techstars in many cities. If you are looking for a way to really get involved in early-stage companies and give back, there is no better way.”

During his time at the microphone, Laney announced that the grand opening for Gradient’s new 115,000-square-foot facility at 12 N. Cheyenne Ave. will be April 10. He also shared with the meeting’s three dozen attendees his appreciation for the Technology Council, which the Chamber formed a year ago.

“The Tech Council is really, really, really important because this needs to be the voice for tech in our ecosystem, both in early stage, later stage, enterprise level and startups,” he said. “Across the board, this is the unifying voice for it. I’m so grateful that we have a tech council and that you all are willing to be here and be involved at different events.”

Indigo Technology President and CEO Tammy Torkleson, a member of the Tech Council’s planning committee, said the theme for 2025 will be telling the council’s story.

“We do a really horrible job of elevating ourselves within this community and at large,” she said. “So, the focus this year is how do we as tech organizations, tech companies, make sure that the successes, even the challenges we’re facing, get elevated so that the BOKs and the ONE Gases know that we exist and know who we are so we can partner with them.”

The Tech Council provides quarterly networking opportunities in which Chamber members in the tech industry can discuss key issues impacting their business and the sector. For more information about the council, please contact Angie Zaricor, a senior director of economic development with the Chamber, at 918-560-0214.