🚀 Oklahoma Startup World Cup Regionals: A Celebration of Innovation

Last week, Gradient proudly hosted the Oklahoma Regional for the Startup World Cup, a global pitch competition bringing together some of the most exciting emerging startups in the world. With a packed house, sharp judges, and a high-energy crowd, the event featured 10 innovative companies competing for a chance to advance to the global finals—and one walked away with the title.

🎉 Congratulations to Rejuvenation Beverage Co., our regional winner! Their mission to deliver plant-powered functional beverages with clean ingredients and no crashes wowed both judges and the audience.

Here’s a quick look at the inspiring startups that took the stage:

💧 Rejuvenation Beverage Co.

🏆 Winner!

Founded after a life-threatening allergy to a synthetic energy product, Anna Cobb launched Rejuvenation to provide ethical, plant-based functional drinks. With 50K bottles sold, 75+ retailers, and 80% post-rebrand growth, the brand is redefining energy with its standout product O’kra Sparkling Okra Water. They're in talks with Sephora and Ulta and projecting $3.5M in revenue next year.

🌿 Caligenia

Turning waste into gold—literally. Caligenia transforms poultry manure into a powerful biofertilizer using a self-sustaining, containerized pyrolysis process. They’re piloting their system at a $100K trial site and targeting vast degraded land restoration across Latin America.

🌱 Bioeutectics

This biotech company is replacing petrochemical solvents with natural, biodegradable alternatives using eutectic technology. With 20+ green solvent products, active paid pilots, and backing from players like Google for Startups and Atento, they’re reshaping the $53B solvent market.

💇🏾‍♀️ WellCapped

A luxury wig rental company making high-end beauty more accessible. With over $700K raised, 400 active members, and strong LTV, WellCapped is the first to bring a subscription model to the $19B wig industry, powered by AI style recommendations and a strong influencer-driven brand.

👕 SciLume Labs

Makers of BYLON, a sustainable apparel fiber with the look, feel, and cost of nylon—but biodegradable and made from waste. With manufacturing and brand pilots already in motion, SciLume is poised to disrupt the $333B textile industry.

🧠 CubeNexus

Solving the sensor data overload. Their AI platform contextualizes and visualizes real-time sensor data in 4D for sectors like defense, energy, and aerospace. With military-grade GPS-denied navigation kits and deep bench strength, CubeNexus is helping enterprises get smarter, faster.

🧑‍🎓 Pangia

A behavioral operating system for student success. Pangia converts messy engagement data into psychological insights and actionable strategies. With rising dropout rates costing billions, Pangia helps institutions understand student motivations and intervene earlier.

🔎 BYBUG

This startup is revolutionizing quality assurance in agriculture with AI-driven insect detection software. Their mobile tool allows producers to instantly scan produce for pest contamination—cutting losses and ensuring compliance.

🛰️ Weaver Labs

Addressing the global PFAS contamination crisis that has significant health risks, Weaver Labs' technology removes PFAS from up to 8x better than what is currently used. This startup provides a key solution to a pressing and costly environmental challenge.

🧠 Billion Minds

Focusing on workforce resilience, Billion Minds is a learning platform that helps remote and hybrid employees develop sustainable work habits. Backed by research and a Fortune 500 customer base, their SaaS solution is tackling burnout and productivity challenges head-on.

🎤 Thank You to Our Sponsors, Judges, & Audience
We’re proud to support startups building the future—from sustainable fashion and biofertilizers to functional beverages and decentralized infrastructure. Huge thanks to our community of judges, mentors, and attendees for showing up and showing love to these bold founders!

The Startup World Cup Oklahoma Regionals are powered by: The Verge, Oklahoma Commercialization Network, Cortado Ventures, OCAST, and Williams.

Gradient is not just a workspace—we’re a launchpad. As the winner of the Oklahoma Regional, Rejuvenation Beverage Co. will receive free workspace at Gradient, plus custom programming, mentorship, and connections to  investors and  partners. We believe in backing bold founders building what’s next, and this is just one example of how we invest in entrepreneurs at every stage. If you're a founder looking for a place to grow, pitch, and plug into a thriving innovation ecosystem, reach out—we’d love to support your journey.

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