TIL is building an inclusive ecosystem in Cyber Security & Data Analytics.
Tulsa’s cyber talent and cutting-edge applied R&D primes city for growth.
Our Vision
for Cyber
TIL envisions an expanding cyber and data workforce that moves Tulsans from all backgrounds into high-growth careers while providing critical enabling technologies for innovation clusters in advanced mobility, energy technology, and virtual health.
Market Opportunity
There is an estimated global shortage of 3.4 million cyber professionals. The digital transformation of the industrial sector and increasing sophistication of criminal and nation-state attackers will continue to require more talent and more defensive innovation to defend our critical infrastructure, safeguard our data, and protect innovation.
There is an estimated global shortage of 3.4 million cyber professionals. The digital transformation of the industrial sector and increasing sophistication of criminal and nation-state attackers will continue to require more talent..
Why Tulsa
Tulsa’s superb cyber education, R&D, and innovative talent partnerships are scaling to meet the needs of the region’s existing critical infrastructure providers in energy, aerospace, logistics and food supply, while innovating to support key future industries.
Example Innovations
TIL Initiatives
Cyber Skills Center (CSC) at Tulsa Community College
CSC targets diverse, working professionals in Tulsa who want to move into the high growth and automation-resistant fields of cyber security or data analytics. This fully supported program consists of a part-time, 26-week training in either cyber or data, as well as wrap-around services that include child care, transportation, job readiness, and in-home technology support.
CSC wants to remove as many barriers as feasible for ambitious Tulsans to level up their career. Graduates can also receive academic credit for their training and apply it toward an associate's degree or a four-year degree via transfer partners TU, OSU, or OU.
CSC targets diverse, working professionals in Tulsa who want to move into the high growth and automation-resistant fields of cyber security or data analytics. This fully supported program consists of a part time...
Cyber Fellows
The University of Tulsa and Team8 Cyber Fellows is a Ph.D. opportunity for students seeking to accelerate research and development across cyber, data science, and machine learning. Students work with both an academic and venture capital adviser, and engage founders, technologists, executives, and investors throughout the program.
Students are expected to launch new ventures, build and sell technology, and/or make major contributions to commercial enterprise in cyber throughout their careers.
The University of Tulsa and Team8 Cyber Fellows is a Ph.D. opportunity for students seeking to accelerate research and development across cyber, data science, and machine learning...
Team8 Foundry
The George Kaiser Family Foundation and global venture group Team8 are building a venture foundry and associated fund focused on the intersection of future mobility and energy, and especially the security, data, AI, and fintech layers of this problem set. This Foundry will build one to two companies per year in this domain, and the general partner leading the fund will be based in Tulsa. Foundry companies will service Limited Partners from Tulsa, the broader region, and around the world.
The George Kaiser Family Foundation and global venture group Team8 are building a venture foundry and associated fund focused on the intersection of future mobility and energy, and especially the security, data, AI, and fintech layers of this problem set...
Advisory Council
Bill Anderson
Founder - MarketR
Tyrance Billingsley II
Founder and Executive Director - Black Tech Street
Bob Blakely
Operating Partner - Team8
Jerry Dawkins
Founder - True Digital Security
Dr. Craig Dean
Enterprise Data Supervisor - QuikTrip Corporation
Michael Epps
Vice President - Network Operations Zayo
Marquesa Finch
Founder & CEO - Pyrium
Koma Gandy
VP and Head of Curriculum - Codecademy
Todd Gourd
SVP/Chief Information Officer - Cherokee Nation Business
Lauren Zabierek
Senior Adviser - Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Tyler Moore
Professor of Cyber Security and Information Assurance - The University of Tulsa
Vi Nguyen
Director - Data Science & Analytics QuestBridge
Jennifer Snow
Chief Technology Officer - AFWERX
Sharon K. Sputz
Executive Director of Strategic Programs Data Science Institute - Columbia University
Tony Meehan
Cyber Entrepreneur in Residence
Bryan Jensen
Attorney & Technologist - Microsoft Corporation