Entrepreneurs are the heartbeat of our communities — creating jobs, solving problems, and strengthening local economies. But too often, the people building businesses and the people building policy work in separate worlds.
That needs to change.
During Global Entrepreneurship Week, we are hosting a Policy Town Hall in Tulsa on Friday, November 21, in collaboration with Gradient, Black Dog Law, and local ecosystem builders. This event is about connecting policymakers, founders, and ecosystem builders together to shape the future of entrepreneurship in Oklahoma.
Why This Conversation Matters
Every entrepreneur can tell you how policy shows up in their day-to-day: the permits they file, the loans they can’t access, the time it takes to navigate systems not built with them in mind.
These challenges aren’t theoretical, they are real barriers that slow down innovation and keep too many people from starting or scaling their businesses.
When policymakers hear directly from entrepreneurs, they gain more than data points, they gain insight. They see what’s possible when policy supports entrepreneurship instead of standing in its way.
That’s the power of dialogue. And that’s exactly what we’re creating in Tulsa.
What to Expect
We’ll start the morning with breakfast and networking. We’ll then hear about the State of Entrepreneurship from Right to Start, and listen to lightning talks from founders across Oklahoma. The Institute for Justice will bring data and context on how policy decisions shape everyday entrepreneurship.
And importantly we will be hosting a breakout session where entrepreneurs can share what’s working and what’s not across key sectors like technology, food, manufacturing, creatives, agriculture, and more. We invite the community, elected officials, economic developers and anyone interested in supporting entrepreneurs to participate.
Policymakers including Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell, State Senator JoAnna Dossett and other state and local leaders will join us, listen in, and share reflections on what they heard and what’s next.
A Call to Policymakers
Entrepreneurs don’t need more speeches. They need partners.
If you’re a policymaker, this is your opportunity to connect directly with the people driving Oklahoma’s economy from the ground up. Your presence, your willingness to listen can shape smarter, faster, and more inclusive policy decisions for years to come.
Entrepreneurship is a public good. Let’s treat it like one.
Join us in Tulsa on Friday, November 21 and be part of building a stronger, more connected future for Oklahoma.
Together We Build!
Click here for more information and registration.