Tulsa poised to become global tech leader with recent award from Economic Development Administration — what’s next?

The U.S.Economic Development Administration (EDA) recently awarded approximately $51 million to the Tulsa Hub for Equitable & Trustworthy Autonomy (THETA) to establish the Greater Tulsa Region as the center of the development, testing, manufacturing, and deployment of secure and unbiased autonomous systems at scale.

THETA is committed to pioneering a new era in secure and cyber-resilient technologies such as self-driving vehicles, drones, and robotics. With this funding award, advancements in these areas will serve critical roles ranging from agriculture and pipeline inspections to regional transportation, and proudly bear the moniker "Tested and Made in Tulsa, USA." 

As one of only 12 cities chosen to receive this funding, this award positions the Tulsa region to become globally competitive and builds on the momentum from Phase 1 of the Tech Hubs Program when Tulsa was designated a regional Tech Hub.  

Over the next 10 years, this transformative investment will equip Tulsans with the skills needed to:

• Build and test the next generation of autonomous technologies.
• Kickstart a new generation of great American companies.
• Expand the region’s proficiency and access to artificial intelligence with a focus on expanding access to marginalized communities.
• Leverage the city’s existing expertise in aerospace manufacturing to reshore critical supply chains essential to U.S. national security.

The Phase 2 funding will generate more than $100 million in local and state investments and enable THETA to lead six new projects to shape the future of Tulsa’s regional economy. These projects, developed in collaboration with upwards of 75 organizations, will create more than 50,000 high-quality jobs and ensure that all Tulsans share in the benefits of the region’s progress.

Each project is designed to drive economic advancements and shape the future of autonomous systems around the globe:

1. ‍The Tulsa Advanced Research and Manufacturing Acceleration Coalition (TARMAC) will drive growth and competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Manufacturers (SMMs) through the development of a state-of-the-art 100,000 sq. ft. Demonstration Center in North Tulsa. In addition to this new facility, TARMAC will provide technical and financial aid to SMMs entering autonomous systems manufacturing to help address supply chain gaps. This project is co-led by Tulsa Innovation Labs, Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, Oklahoma State University, and TEDC Creative Capital.
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2. The Greenwood AI/AS Center of Excellence (G-ACE) will establish an AI/AS Co-Innovation Lab in Historic Greenwood. This lab will provide access to leading AI technologies and expert support (in partnership with Microsoft) for companies, startups, individuals, and public sector agencies. G-ACE will also provide resources, training, and infrastructure to bridge gaps in access for underrepresented communities. This project is co-led by Tulsa Innovation Labs and Black Tech Street. 
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3. ‍The Autonomous Systems Workforce Program (ASWP) will expand existing workforce programs to align training with industry needs, provide upskilling pathways, and offer on-the-job training opportunities. THETA will build a workforce intermediary to connect job seekers and employers, raising awareness of career opportunities in autonomous systems. This project is co-led by Tulsa Innovation Labs, the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium, Madison Strategies Group, inTulsa, Atlas School, Tulsa Community College, and The University of Tulsa.
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4. The Secure Autonomy Feedback and Evaluation Testbed (SAFE-T) will unlock new testing capabilities on uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) for companies and researchers working on secure and trustworthy autonomy through a state-of-the-art testing facility. SAFE-T will foster the integration of cybersecurity, advanced sensors, and simulation capabilities to address current industry challenges such as threat detection and resilience. This project is co-led by Tulsa Innovation Labs, Skyway Range, Oklahoma State University, and TU.
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5. The Applied Research & Commercialization Hub (ARC-H) will consolidate regional expertise in cybersecurity and autonomous systems from academic, corporate, and government sectors to position Tulsa as a leading commercialization hub for autonomous technologies. ARC-H will address cybersecurity vulnerabilities, develop future cybersecurity standards, and enable local startups to access national defense contracts. This project is co-led by Tulsa Innovation Labs, OSU’s Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research & Education (OAIRE), and TU’s Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute (OCII).
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6. The THETA Control Tower project, led by Tulsa Innovation Labs, serves as the governance framework for the THETA consortium, ensuring seamless execution and high-quality delivery of all projects. It prioritizes inclusivity and reinforces the place-based objectives of the Tech Hubs program.

THETA’s Tech Hub designation and recent funding award has accelerated the Tulsa region’s ambition to build a globally competitive industry in autonomous technologies. Collaboration and support from Tulsans is key to continue pushing our city forward into an era of innovation, economic growth and job opportunities on a regional and national scale.

To learn more about how you or your organization can be involved in these efforts, email THETA@tulsainnovationlabs.com or visit techhubtulsa.com/contact.

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