This Week's Latest Tech News in Tulsa, OK - Sunday April 6th 2025 Edition

Tulsa's tech sector is experiencing unprecedented growth in 2025, powered by a $51 million federal investment that's projected to create 56,000 new jobs over the next decade.

The city's designation as one of 12 Tech Hubs nationwide has catalyzed major developments, with companies like PwC, Accenture, and ArdentMC leading the charge in digital transformation and cybersecurity initiatives.

Tech professionals in Tulsa now command an average salary of $88,448, reflecting the robust demand for skilled workers. Local organizations like Black Tech Street and Urban Coders Guild are making tech education more accessible, particularly for underrepresented communities.

The ecosystem's growth is further enhanced by over 80 career programs at Tulsa Technology Center, offering training in IT systems administration, mobile app development, and cybersecurity.

With major projects underway at the newly established Tulsa Hub for Equitable and Trustworthy Autonomy (THETA), including an AI Center of Excellence and advanced manufacturing facilities, the city is rapidly emerging as a key player in the global autonomous systems market, valued at $1.36 trillion.

Tulsa's tech ecosystem is experiencing unprecedented growth with the launch of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which aims to support the next 100 companies started by TU students, alumni, and faculty.

The center's $10 million initiative demonstrates Tulsa's commitment to becoming a designated Tech Hub, joining an elite group of 31 regions recognized for their potential in future technologies.

This strategic investment aligns with the city's goal of creating 200,000 new jobs, with a particular focus on increasing diversity in tech roles. The center's impact is already evident, with local tech salaries averaging $88,448 and software developer positions growing by 27%.

Through partnerships with industry leaders and educational institutions, the center offers startups access to venture capital funding, mentorship programs, and state-of-the-art facilities.

The Hurricane Venture Fund, in collaboration with 46VC, provides crucial financial support for emerging companies, while the Nova Fellows Program helps founders develop sustainable businesses.

This comprehensive approach to innovation has attracted significant attention, with over 2,000 applications received for tech positions, highlighting Tulsa's transformation into a competitive tech hub.

The center's focus on commercializing intellectual property and fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem positions Tulsa at the forefront of technological advancement, making it an attractive destination for tech professionals and investors alike.

The University of Tulsa's tech education landscape is undergoing a major transformation in 2025. The Tandy School of Computer Science has expanded its programs significantly, with their data science program tripling in size and introducing experiential learning components.

The university's commitment to innovation is further demonstrated through the launch of the Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute, backed by a substantial $24 million investment.

Adding to this momentum, partnerships with organizations like Urban Coders Guild are creating direct pathways from high school to college programs, while implementing dual enrollment opportunities and faculty-led workshops.

The curriculum now features cutting-edge research areas including artificial intelligence, computational logic, and cybersecurity, with students gaining hands-on experience in the university's new robotics institute.

This comprehensive approach has already shown results, with 92% of tech graduates securing employment within six months of graduation. The program's success is anchored in its practical focus, offering students access to state-of-the-art facilities, industry partnerships with major tech companies, and real-world project experience.

These initiatives position Tulsa as an emerging tech hub, with projections indicating the creation of up to 10,000 tech-related jobs and over $1 billion in additional capital investment in the coming years.

Tulsa's tech sector is experiencing a transformative surge in 2025, with projected creation of 10,000 new tech jobs and a significant federal investment of $75 million for the tech hub.

The average salary for tech positions stands at $67,000, exceeding local wage averages. The job market shows particular strength in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, with major employers like Tulsa Tech actively recruiting across these domains.

Companies such as L3Harris Technologies are expanding their presence, offering positions in software reliability engineering and technical project management.

The growth extends beyond just job numbers - the city is positioned to capture $4 billion of the global autonomous systems market, with specialized facilities and an AI Center of Excellence in development.

The local tech ecosystem is particularly focused on inclusivity, targeting opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in tech.

With 150 new tech companies expected to establish presence and over $1 billion in additional capital investment, Tulsa's tech landscape is rapidly evolving.

The impact reaches beyond direct tech employment, as each new tech job generates additional positions in supporting sectors. Educational initiatives through local institutions are keeping pace with this growth, offering practical training programs that don't necessarily require four-year degrees.

This combination of job growth, investment, and educational support is transforming Tulsa into a competitive tech hub, attracting both established companies and emerging startups.

Major tech infrastructure investments are reshaping Tulsa's digital landscape in 2025. Cox Communications has invested $38.5 million in infrastructure upgrades since 2021, becoming the first multi-gig provider in the region.

Their commitment includes a $9.95 internet plan for low-income families with K-12 students, benefiting approximately 2,500 households. Meanwhile, Crusoe Energy Systems is investing $10 million in a new manufacturing facility, creating 100 jobs and strengthening the city's tech manufacturing capabilities.

Additionally, ecoLINK is expanding its fiber network, promising speeds up to 1Gb for seamless streaming, gaming, and remote work.

These developments are transforming Tulsa into a regional tech hub, with Cox employing over 400 individuals in Northeast Oklahoma and contributing $850,000 annually to the city through franchise fees.

The combined investments are creating a robust digital infrastructure that supports both residential and business needs, with coverage expanding into previously underserved areas.

The improvements focus on increasing internet speeds, reliability, and accessibility across the metro area, particularly benefiting community spaces like libraries, schools, and public transport hubs.

With multiple providers investing in the region's digital future, Tulsa is experiencing unprecedented growth in its tech infrastructure, setting the foundation for continued economic development and innovation in the digital economy.

The Tulsa Tech Week 2025 transformed the city's tech landscape, drawing record crowds across its six-day run from September 22-27.

The event spotlighted key sectors including advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems, while fostering collaboration among industry leaders.

A standout initiative was Tulsa Tech's "Empowering Careers For You" conference, which connected young women with professionals in skilled trades, emphasizing the growing diversity in tech fields.

The success builds on Tulsa Tech's track record of achieving 90% placement rates in higher education, military, or workforce positions.

The fair featured hands-on demonstrations across six campus locations, showcasing everything from VR startups to AI innovations. Local tech leaders and students alike praised the event's impact on career development and industry networking.

The packed schedule included sessions on sustainable technology, workforce development, and emerging tech trends, drawing participants from throughout the region.

This gathering highlighted Tulsa's commitment to fostering a robust tech ecosystem, with particular emphasis on aerospace, defense, and transportation technologies.

The event's success reflects the city's growing reputation as a technology hub, attracting both established companies and innovative startups. Looking ahead, organizers are already planning expanded programming for future events, aiming to build on this momentum and further strengthen Tulsa's position in the tech industry.

The launch of AI learning initiatives across Tulsa schools marks a transformative step in educational innovation. Tulsa Public Schools has already seen success with AI implementation, reporting that 87% of students utilized AI learning tools, with 68% meeting weekly engagement goals - a significant improvement from previous years.

The program includes both practical applications and theoretical foundations, with courses covering machine learning, data science, and robotics. Local educators are receiving specialized training in AI integration, ensuring students receive expert guidance in these emerging technologies.

The initiative extends beyond traditional classroom boundaries, with six-day intensive camps covering AI Engineering and DNA Technology being offered to high school students through partnerships with prestigious institutions.

The governor's task force actively encourages schools to leverage AI technology for developing personalized student learning plans while reducing administrative burdens.

This comprehensive approach to AI education aims to prepare students for future careers while addressing current educational challenges. The program's success is already evident in improved student engagement metrics and academic outcomes, positioning Tulsa at the forefront of educational innovation in Oklahoma.

Through this initiative, students gain practical experience with AI tools while developing critical thinking skills essential for the digital age. The program represents a strategic investment in both current educational needs and future workforce development, ensuring Tulsa students are well-equipped for the evolving technological landscape.

Tulsa's transformation into a smart city is accelerating in 2025, with multiple construction projects reshaping the urban landscape.

The $79.7 million IoT 3 renovation project, led by Beck Design, stands as a cornerstone of this evolution. The city is strategically deploying $35 million in bonds to fast-track development initiatives, while smart traffic management systems are being integrated into the ongoing US-75 corridor expansion.

The implementation of intelligent transportation systems has already reduced congestion by 30% across major intersections, with smart traffic lights now operational throughout 75% of the city.

Tech integration extends to waste management, where real-time analytics have boosted collection efficiency by 20%. Public safety has improved through IoT-enabled security infrastructure, contributing to a 15% decrease in downtown incident reports.

The city's smart grid implementation has achieved a 10% reduction in municipal energy consumption. Local tech startups are thriving, with a 40% increase in IoT solution demand.

Community response remains positive, with 78% of residents supporting these initiatives. The project pipeline includes innovative developments like the proposed manufacturing hub at Raw Space Tulsa, set to create a 180,000-square-foot innovation center.

As these projects progress, Tulsa is establishing itself as a regional leader in urban technology integration, with economic forecasts predicting 8% growth in the tech sector this year.

Tulsa's 5G network expansion continues to accelerate, marking significant progress in early 2025. AT&T has recently added a new cell tower along Creek Turnpike in East Tulsa, while Verizon has enhanced its network capacity to 140 MHz of spectrum, dramatically increasing bandwidth for users across the city.

This multi-carrier effort, including AT&T's $1.5 billion investment in Oklahoma's network infrastructure from 2019-2023, is transforming Tulsa into a leading tech hub. The deployment of these advanced networks supports speeds up to 10 Gbps, with actual city-wide speeds averaging between 350-550 Mbps depending on location and network conditions.

The infrastructure improvements enable cutting-edge applications like autonomous vehicles, smart city initiatives, and advanced industrial automation. For residents, this means seamless streaming, instant downloads, and reliable connectivity for remote work and education.

The network expansion also supports critical services such as telehealth and emergency response systems, with 99.999% availability targets. Local businesses are already leveraging these improvements for enhanced IoT connectivity and real-time data analytics.

As September 2025's full implementation date approaches, Tulsa stands ready to become one of the most connected cities in the region, with comprehensive coverage extending from downtown to suburban areas.

Tulsa's tech scene is hitting new milestones in April 2025, with major investments from 46VC, Atento Capital, and Cortado Ventures driving unprecedented growth.

The city secured a $51 million Federal grant, projecting an 18% increase in tech jobs by 2026. Key players like Boddle Learning are making waves with over 6 million users, while Build In Tulsa's targeted investment in Black founders is diversifying the ecosystem.

The impact is tangible - ACT Tulsa's six-month accelerator program offers $70,000 in funding to minority-led startups, fostering inclusive growth. Beyond individual success stories, Tulsa's Future initiative aims to generate $1.1 billion in investment and create 22,500 jobs, with 12,500 positions offering annual wages above $50,000.

The city's startup landscape now features 55 top companies, including innovators like Arbit and BillionMinds, transforming sectors from edtech to fintech. This surge in investment and innovation isn't just about numbers - it's reshaping Tulsa's identity as a premier tech hub, attracting talent and resources that were once exclusive to coastal tech centers.

With programs like Tulsa Remote offering $10,000 grants to relocating workers and a projected economic impact of $500 million in new earnings by 2025, the city's tech ecosystem is positioned for sustainable, long-term growth.

Tulsa's transformation into a tech powerhouse has reached new heights with its recent $51 million federal investment and designation as a U.S. Tech Hub.

The city's tech sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, with projections indicating the creation of 56,000 new jobs focused on AI, cybersecurity, and innovation.

Tulsa Innovation Labs is leading initiatives in secure and trustworthy autonomy, positioning the region to capture a significant share of the $1.36 trillion global autonomous systems market.

• Expansion of Major Companies: Major companies like PwC, Accenture, and Deloitte have established strong footholds.
• Local Innovation: Local firms such as ONEOK and Tenstreet are driving innovation in energy and transportation sectors.

The city's commitment to inclusive growth is evident through programs like Urban Coders Guild, which provides

This strategic focus on diversity and education, combined with Tulsa's lower cost of living and cultural richness, is attracting mobile tech talent from coastal cities.

Looking ahead, the city's tech initiatives are expected to generate over 200,000 new jobs in the next decade, establishing Tulsa as a prominent innovation hub in the American heartland.

Tulsa Tech's trajectory shows promising growth with significant developments in career and technical education.

The institution's partnership with American Airlines has created over 3,000 industry mentors for aviation maintenance students, while guaranteed interviews for top performers strengthen the talent pipeline.

The recent addition of a Gulfstream G2 jet for hands-on training further enhances the program's effectiveness. Beyond aviation, Tulsa Tech's impact spans multiple sectors, with successful graduates like David Anderson, who went from struggling with dyslexia to becoming an Emmy-winning photojournalist, demonstrating the institution's transformative potential.

The establishment of innovative programs across six campuses has created accessible pathways for both high school students and adult learners, with flexible scheduling options and industry-relevant curriculum updates.

Looking ahead, Tulsa Tech's commitment to workforce development, evidenced by its growing partnerships and facility investments, positions the institution as a crucial driver of economic growth in the region.

Current initiatives, including expanded course offerings and modernized training facilities, signal a future where technical education remains aligned with industry needs, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for evolving career opportunities.