Initiatives

All businesses start with a cool idea, and before committing to writing a business plan, a pitch and poster competition is the perfect way to get feedback on your business idea or product. 

Competitors compete by preparing a 2-5 page Executive Summary and a live in-person presentation of their venture. The competition is open to OSU students from any discipline, with or without business experience.

36ºN is a basecamp for local entrepreneurs set in a building with over 11,000 square feet in the heart of Tulsa’s Brady Arts District. It is the central gathering point for the city’s entrepreneurial community, resources and programs.

The Cowboy100 is a celebration to acknowledge the business and leadership achievements of OSU graduates. The Cowboy100 highlights the contribution of entrepreneurial graduates from across the university and their positive influence on OSU, our students and the state of Oklahoma.

LeadHERship Spears is a purposeful yearlong leadership program for the women in Spears School of Business. Designed to complement the foundational and technical skills students learn in class, LeadHERship Spears aims to provide additional professional savvy. Those who participate in the program will get leadership competencies, hands-on business experiences, personal development and make relationships with a cohort of aspiring future female leaders. 

The National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP) provides a rigorous entrepreneurial learning and development opportunity for disabled veterans and those who distinguished themselves in their military careers.

The Riata Center invites faculty, seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts to share their experiences and knowledge with students from all disciplines interested in entrepreneurship and innovative ideas.

Greiner Summer Business Accelerator is an eight week program designed for selected participants to work on their businesses under the close supervision of Riata Center staff, School of Entrepreneurship faculty and external mentors. 

The OSU Riata Pre-Seed Fund provides early-stage startup capital and the first external investment to support the entrepreneurial aspirations of any currently enrolled OSU student. The Riata Pre-Seed Fund is open for applications three times per year during spring, summer and fall.

The Riata Startup Experience (RSX) is a two-phase program for OSU students, faculty and staff entrepreneurs interested in pursuing a business concept or growing a pre-existing venture. Each phase is designed to develop a business via learning opportunities, one-on-one coaching and university and nationwide competitions.