The Ultimate Calendar: Tulsa's Monthly Entrepreneur Events and Networking Opportunities

Tulsa's entrepreneurial scene is more vibrant than ever, with countless opportunities to network, learn, and accelerate your business growth. Whether you're a seasoned founder, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply someone looking to connect with Tulsa's innovation community, this monthly calendar will help you stay plugged into the pulse of our city's startup ecosystem.

Why Networking Matters for Tulsa Entrepreneurs

"The currency of startups isn't just capital, it's connections," says Maria Kim, a longtime Gradient member who credits her business growth to relationships built through local networking events. "Every meaningful partnership, investor introduction, and game-changing collaboration I've had started with a conversation at a Tulsa entrepreneur event."

Research consistently shows that entrepreneurs who actively network are 5x more likely to secure funding and 3x more likely to scale successfully. In a city like Tulsa, where the startup community is tight-knit but growing rapidly, these connections become even more valuable.

Monthly Recurring Events You Can't Miss

Gradient's Signature Events (Member Exclusive & Public)

Member Lunches - Monthly connect with fellow entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote workers over a casual lunch at Gradient. These members-only gatherings are a space to share challenges, celebrate wins, and build meaningful connections.

Black Gold - Enjoy a monthly evening of trivia, community, and celebration as we honor the legacy of Black Wall Street and the brilliance of Black history and entrepreneurship. This event blends culture, conversation, and connection for an unforgettable night.

Tulsa Women’s Business Social - In partnership with Oklahoma State University and powered by Regent Bank, this after-hours event brings women together for connection, collaboration, and conversation. Meet inspiring peers, share your journey, and grow your network in an empowering space.

First Stop @ First Friday - Kick off Tulsa’s beloved First Friday Art Crawl with a happy hour hosted by Gradient and Experience Tulsa. Catch up with the community, explore new ways to get involved, and enjoy a drink on us.

Community Events

Startup Grind Tulsa - Startup Grind Tulsa hosts monthly events designed to teach, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. These gatherings bring together founders, investors, and startup enthusiasts for engaging speaker sessions and meaningful networking.

TYPROS Professional Development - TYPROS creates events, programs, and initiatives that develop Tulsa’s next generation of leaders. Their networking opportunities and professional development sessions are essential for young professionals and emerging entrepreneurs.

1 Million Cups - Each month, early-stage founders share their stories, challenges, and wins with the community, inviting feedback, ideas, and connections. 1 Million Cups is a place to support local founders, exchange insights, and be inspired by the bold ideas shaping Oklahoma’s future.

Tulsa Tech PopUps - Tulsa Tech’s PopUp sessions offer an hour of high-quality learning from subject matter experts. These events provide valuable insights and practical knowledge for both members and non-members.

Seasonal Highlights and Annual Events

Spring: Startup World Cup

Powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures, the Startup World Cup is a global conference and competition that brings together the world's top startups, VC's, entrepreneurs and world-class tech CEO's. Gradient is the official host of the Oklahoma regional competition.

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Summer: Chroma Innovation Event

Chroma is a speaker series built to connect Fortune 500 and enterprise leaders with the next generation of visionary founders to spark solutions for the future of business. In support of the Oklahoma IT Symposium, Chroma invites attendees into the region's burgeoning tech ecosystem, where real-world challenges meet transformative ideas and collaboration shapes what’s next.

Fall: Global Entrepreneurship Week

Every November, Tulsa participates in Global Entrepreneurship Week with 15+ events designed specifically for entrepreneurs. From pitch competitions to venture capital panels, this week offers something for every stage of the entrepreneurial journey.

Industry-Specific Networking Opportunities

For Tech Entrepreneurs

• Gradient Tech Mixer: Exclusive to Gradient’s Incubator program community. Founders and founder support only. No agenda, no sponsors, just real connections over drinks.
• Founder Fridays: Founders receive expert knowledge from the best subject matter experts and thought leaders on entrepreneurship related topics
• Techlahoma Meetups - A welcoming environment where members can learn about and discuss cloud services and technologies, exchange ideas, and share best practices

For Creative Entrepreneurs

• Tulsa Design Community Events: Connecting creative professionals and design-focused startups
• Arts & Business Mixers: Where creativity meets commerce in Tulsa's growing creative economy

For Social Impact Entrepreneurs

• Impact Hub Events: Focused on businesses solving social and environmental challenges
• Nonprofit/For-Profit Collaboration Sessions: Building bridges between sectors

Making the Most of Networking Events

Before You Go

1. Research attendees and speakers - Many events share attendee lists in advance
2. Set specific goals - Whether it's finding a co-founder, investor, or strategic partner
3. Prepare your elevator pitch - Keep it conversational and focused on value

During the Event

1. Quality over quantity - Focus on meaningful conversations rather than collecting business cards
2. Ask thoughtful questions - Show genuine interest in others' work and challenges
3. Be generous with connections - Introduce people who should know each other

After the Event

1. Follow up within 48 hours - Reference something specific from your conversation
2. Provide value first - Share a relevant article, introduction, or resource
3. Schedule coffee meetings - Take promising connections offline for deeper conversations

Exclusive Gradient Member Benefits

As a Gradient member, you gain access to exclusive networking opportunities that can accelerate your business growth:

• Priority access to all signature events and workshops
• Member-only events including intimate dinners with successful entrepreneurs
• Private meeting rooms for hosting your own networking gatherings
• Introduction facilitation through our community management team
• Access to our member directory for targeted networking

"Since joining Gradient, I've closed three major partnerships and found my co-founder—all through connections made at member events," shares Ryan Redding, founder of DP Marketing Strategies. "The ROI on my membership has been incredible."

Your Action Plan for Getting Started

This Week:

• Join Gradient's member community to access exclusive events and introductions
• Mark your calendar for upcoming major events and monthly recurring meetups
• Connect with 3 new people from your existing network to practice your networking skills

This Month:

• Attend at least 2 networking events from different categories (tech, creative, general business)
• Schedule 5 coffee meetings with interesting people you meet
• Book a tour at Gradient to experience our community firsthand

This Quarter:

• Become a regular at 1-2 monthly recurring events to build deeper relationships
• Host your own event using Gradient's meeting spaces to position yourself as a connector
• Measure your networking ROI by tracking partnerships, opportunities, and connections generated

Ready to Connect?

Tulsa's entrepreneurial ecosystem thrives because of the connections we make and the community we build together. Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or scaling your existing business, there's never been a better time to get involved.

Ready to supercharge your networking? Join Gradient today and gain access to Tulsa's most connected entrepreneur community. Our coworking space, private offices, and meeting rooms provide the perfect environment for building the relationships that will fuel your business growth.

Schedule Your Gradient Tour Today and discover why over 300 entrepreneurs call us home.

Browse Upcoming Events and start building your networking calendar.

Have an entrepreneur event we should feature? Email us at concierge@joingradient.com and help us keep Tulsa's startup community connected.

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