Why Giving is Important

The season of giving is upon us, and it’s time to jump back into the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Donating to charity is a major mood-booster. The knowledge that you’re helping others is hugely empowering and, in turn, can make you feel happier and more fulfilled. It is why we are here…to ask for money. Now, don’t X out of the screen just yet, stay with me for a minute and let me tell you a bit about our non-profit organization, iStart.

Before we go into that, let me start by asking you a few questions to see if the work we do here at iStart affects you.

Do you live in the Tulsa area?

Is local job creation important?

Do you enjoy supporting local companies?

Do you want to see new restaurants, stores and venues come to the Tulsa area?

Does it make you feel good to keep the money you spend in our local economy?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, then iStart is important to your everyday life and we would love to partner with you in continuing our growth to help grow our community!

What is iStart?

iStart is a Tulsa based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization focused on the growth of Oklahoma’s economic development and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

iStart is an innovative business incubator for local entrepreneurs providing a core curriculum, mentoring from Inc. 500 founders and lean startup methodology.  We also are a launch pad for Fortune 1000 companies to promote intrapreneurship by starting their own internal growth accelerators/incubators.

We provide all program participants with a level of service that surpasses their highest expectations. Our organization is the ideal business partner for entrepreneurs who wish to start and grow their new company and for companies looking to launch their own accelerators.

Through our efforts we will become drivers of economic growth in the Tulsa community.

Our Experience

As founders, investors and operations, we have been fortunate enough to be a part of the most meaningful company successes in the Tulsa area over the last 25 years. We lived the full journey over and over, from audacious start to triumphant exit, bringing two companies to the Inc. 500 lists. Our partners came together with a shared desire to leverage their expertise in order to give back to the entrepreneurial community.

There is no such thing as one size fits all when it comes to starting a business, and we understand that everyone’s situation is different. We know what it takes to grow and idea from a concept pitch to a scalable business. It takes a village of resources and support to make it happen, and we believe that our knowledge, wisdom and experience can best guide our entrepreneurs to success.

Who do we help?

Simply put, we invest in founders. We are a trusted partner for entrepreneurs. Regardless of size, stage, location – entrepreneurs are working to change the world and we want to empower them to do just that.

Why do entrepreneurs need our help?

Entrepreneurs are the key to transforming Oklahoma’s economy. Already, start-ups have had a significant impact on Oklahoma’s economy. In 2018, small businesses generated 4.8 billion dollars in income from international trade alone. There are 347,165 small businesses employing 712,797 people in Oklahoma (57% of the workforce), which is ranked as the fifth-best state to start a small business but also ranks near the bottom for venture capital funding.

Everyone in Oklahoma has a stake in the success of a small business and supporting the state’s entrepreneurs can have a transformative impact on families and communities. Entrepreneurs come in all shapes, colors, classes, and sizes; they represent the best of Oklahoma, from the small town farmers to the local restaurant owners; to plumbers and electricians; all the way to the manufacturers and engineers and doctors; everyone is impacted by the success of Oklahoma’s start-ups.

iStart was developed to help entrepreneurs and businesses launch new ideas. Through its programs, iStart is a driver of economic growth in the state.

Our impact. Their Dream.

For entrepreneurs, turning a passion into a business is the ultimate dream. But that dream doesn’t come easy. It is hard work with challenges around every corner. Fortunately, entrepreneurs don’t have to go at it alone. Their chance of success increases with access to business knowledge and guidance from experience professionals.

With that said, iStart’s unique program boasts personalized mentorships, curriculum, networking opportunities and access to partners and was curated to become a reliable source for Oklahoma entrepreneurs. With the ability to guide an entrepreneur from idea to their first dollar of revenue, train a corporation that is ready to invest in Oklahoma, and offer pinpoint business consulting; this program provides a huge impact.

Our goal for 2020 is to contribute to economic growth in Tulsa and Oklahoma by incubating 48 companies that will create 200 jobs and generate 10 million dollars in salaries, by helping:

  • 48 entrepreneurs establish revenue-generating businesses
  • Create 4.6 new jobs per business on average
  • 86% of participants reach business sustainability
  • Two local Fortune 1000 companies establish embedded business incubators
  • 40-60 established small businesses through business consulting services

How we are different.

You may say, “there are other incubators out there, how are you different?” Well that’s easy. We are the only true Business Accelerator in the area. Our goal is to get people from idea to implementation as soon as possible. We have current entrepreneurs on our team ready to walk people through the process that will be catered to your specific business type. We are also able to implement incubators within companies with our proven process to help current businesses thrive even more.

None of this happens without you.

The entrepreneurs within our communities and our locally owned small businesses are vital to a strong and vibrant Tulsa. Our accelerator ensures Tulsans have the tools, resources and support necessary to pursue entrepreneurship and create and equitable, inclusive community.

iSTART has the potential to transform the landscape of Oklahoma’s economy, but none of this can be accomplished without community, foundation, and business support. By investing in iStart, you can ensure that entrepreneurs and small businesses across Oklahoma have the resources they need to transform the economic landscape for generations to come.

Monetary donations will support…

Would you be willing to help by giving a donation? Every penny will help. Your donation to iStart provides entrepreneurs with the knowledge, resources, and the community they need to successfully start and grow businesses.

  • Equitable growth of our local economy
  • Valuable collaboration among small enterprises
  • A microenterprise’s expansion with new access to capital

Through the donations received, iStart will be able to support the business incubators while paying it forward in Oklahoma.

You can donate by:

Thank you in advance for your generosity and support!