Rose Rock Bridge Winners Will Pilot New Technologies with Energy Leaders
Four startups headquartered in Colorado, Florida and Texas have been selected as winners of the 2026 Rose Rock Bridge Showcase. Austere Environmental, BiaTech, BigMachine AI and Intellicess will receive a share of $400,000 in non-dilutive funding and establish a presence in Tulsa to pilot and advance their technologies over the next year.
Tulsa to Secure U.S. Position as Global Tech Leader with Approximately $51 Million Award from Economic Development Administration
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.
Tulsa Receives EDA Tech Hubs Designation with ‘Equitable & Trustworthy Autonomy’ Proposal
The U.S. Economic Development Administration has named Tulsa a “Tech Hub” as part of a historic $500 million investment in U.S. economic competitiveness and national security. Tulsa’s proposal, the Tulsa Hub for Equitable & Trustworthy Autonomy (THETA), will advance the development of autonomous technologies, such as uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), drones, cybersecurity and generative artificial intelligence. THETA was led by Tulsa Innovation Labs (TIL) – an initiative of the George Kaiser Family Foundation – and coalition members Black Tech Street (BTS), Madison Strategies Group (MSG), Oklahoma State University (OSU), PartnerTulsa, The University of Tulsa (TU), Tulsa Community College (TCC) and Tulsa Economic Development Corporation (TEDC).
