Tulsa Tech Hub

Lead Agency: Tulsa Innovation Labs  

State Served: Oklahoma  

Applicant-Defined Region: Greater Tulsa Region  

Core Technology Area: Secure autonomous systems  

Contact: Jennifer Hankins ([email protected])  

Media Contact: Hayden Hinchey ([email protected])

Organizational Link: https://www.tulsainnovationlabs.com/

The Tulsa Tech Hub, led by Tulsa Innovation Labs, aims to become a global leader in manufacturing and testing  uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) for use cases ranging from agriculture and pipeline inspections to logistics and defense. This Tech Hub will leverage the Greater Tulsa Region’s EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge award, a legacy of aviation manufacturing, its university-based research institutes, and the Skyway Range flight corridor testing facility. By leveraging these assets and new EDA investment, the Hub aims to strengthen national and economic security while connecting small manufacturers across the region with opportunities in the autonomous systems supply chain.  cyber-resilience and trustworthiness of current systems, the ability of these systems to operate in complex and multi-operator environments

EDA awarded this Tech Hub grant funding of approximately $51 million to : 

• Establish a GreenUAS certification program to increase UAS startups’ readiness to participate in research, business, and contracting opportunities; 
• Build a UAS testbed–with a focus on cyber-reslience and multi-operator data management–for companies, researchers and regulatory entities to address barriers to commercial adoption;  
• Run programs to match small manufacturers with new opportunities in autonomous systems supply chains and building out a manufacturing demonstration center where these companies can scale new production lines; 
• Create an AI Center of Excellence to make AI accessible to small businesses and community members in the Hub region; and 
• Establish a data-driven industry workforce intermediary to align training with industry needs; launching new AI-focused undergraduate programs; and supporting on-the-job training opportunities.

Additional Designations Earned in Region