In this month’s Doubleshot Newsletter, you will find:
- Builder Highlight: Startup OU
- LP Highlight: Jack Greco
- PortCo News
- Cortado News
- Ecosystem News & Events
Builder Highlight: Startup OU
Startup OU serves as an entrepreneurial focal point within the University of Oklahoma. Its core objective is to establish linkages throughout the university’s ecosystem and cultivate upcoming waves of innovators and ecosystem contributors. This initiative comprises three initiatives tailored for OU students: the Startup Community, the Startup Accelerator, and the Startup Incubator. From its inception in January 2021, Startup OU has provided backing to almost 60 startup endeavors. Out of these, over 40 projects that received support have progressed into operational startups. Remarkably, close to 30 of these startups are actively involved with Startup OU, benefiting from its services. This collective effort has contributed to the formation of over 160 jobs within the local economy. Read more about Startup OU.
LP Highlight: Jack Greco
This month, Cortado Ventures would like to highlight Jack Greco as one of our Limited Partners (LPs). Jack is a father, founder and investor. He co-founded or supported the early creation and growth of dozens of companies and now dedicates time and capital as a founding GP at Far Out Ventures. With his startup founder experience of building ACV Auctions into a unicorn company, he now serves as a board member to several hospitals and startups, including Cortado portco Moove.ai. All of this comes second in life to his role as a father to his very adventurous son, Little Jack. We are grateful to be supported by LPs like Jack who continue to invest their time, treasure, and energy into building the next generation of innovative startups.
Team Highlight
Charles Rule, Investment Intern
Cortado is happy to welcome our fall intern, who is joining Chandler Coleman and Robert Owens, who have both served as summer interns for our organization.
Charles is a sophomore at The University of Oklahoma pursuing his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. As an active member of OU’s startup ecosystem, Charles serves as Associate Director of Platform & Community at Crimson Prairie Ventures, OU’s first student-managed venture fund. This past summer, Charles served as a summer associate at AZ-VC, the largest venture capital fund in Arizona. At Cortado, Charles looks to continue pursuing his desire to educate himself on the dynamics of VC gaining valuable experience collaborating with Cortado’s team!
Portco News
New Investment: ArborXR
We are thrilled to announce our recent investment in ArborXR. This startup effortlessly takes command of AR & VR devices, with complete control and the ability to expand XR deployments to any desired scale. Effortlessly deploy AR & VR content, ensuring it’s always up-to-date, and conveniently monitor usage from a distance.
Charu featured on Cartwheel Startup Studio
Charu Thomas, the CEO of Ox, delves into the origins of Ox and her entrepreneurial voyage, all the while offering valuable perspectives on the company’s future trajectory. She emphasizes that Ox’s human-centric automation aims not to supplant individuals but rather to enable and enhance their capabilities. This discussion took place during her participation in the Cartwheel Startup Studio. Read more.
PatchRX raises $8 million in a Series A funding round
We are proud to commit another investment in Tulsa-based PatchRx. The startup’s first-of-its-kind smart pill bottle cap prioritizes patient well-being by using data-driven technology to enhance prescription adherence and support patients in their medication management. Read more.
NUVIEW featured by GeoSpatial World
Clint Graumann, the CEO and Founder of NUVIEW, recently took center stage in an exclusive interview with GeoSpatial World. During this illuminating conversation, he provided an in-depth account of NuView’s inception and elucidated how LiDAR, a groundbreaking technology, has the potential to revolutionize our global perspective. Read more.
Lumata Health selected as Technology Innovator of the Year award
Congratulations to Lumata Health for winning 405 Business magazine’s Technology Innovator of the Year award. Lumata Health excels in human-led, intelligent eye care management, empowering your practice. Read more.
Cortado News:
VC Investor Roundtable Luncheon
Last month, Cortado Ventures, along with other Oklahoma VC firms, gathered for our first roundtable luncheon. As our state’s VC market continues to expand, there is now more VC funding available than ever, approximately $300M+. Our collective efforts to fund our own startups will help our Oklahoma and region build its next unicorn.
Susan Moring: Stories of Oklahoma Startup Transformation
A decade ago, the number of Oklahoma tech startups was few and far between. But thanks to trailblazers, innovators, and funders, a new generation of startups is building and scaling in Oklahoma. Our Investment Principal Susan Moring shares a few stories of companies on the rise. Read more.
Nathaniel Harding: Revisiting Venture Capital as the New Oil and Gas in Oklahoma
In the Midcontinent, we’re used to oil booms (and busts). Now, there’s a new boom, but this one is harder to see without oil derricks dotting the landscape—because this one is digital. In this article, our Managing Partner Nathaniel Harding revisits his idea that venture capital is a lot like the oil and gas business. Read more.
Susan Moring to speak in San Diego
Congratulations to Susan Moring, our Investment Principal, on her upcoming speaking engagement at the 10th annual Women’s Venture Summit in San Diego on September 28-29th, where she will join other innovators from Oklahoma and across the globe.
J.D. Baker amongst top young professionals
We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to J.D. Baker, our Platform Manager, for achieving yet another remarkable milestone. J.D. has earned a well-deserved place among the top 50 young professionals in Oklahoma City, an impressive feat that has landed him at the impressive rank of number 6. This recognition follows his exceptional achievement in 2021 when he secured the coveted title of the Most Influential Young Professional in Oklahoma City.
Ecosystem News and Events:
Cortado x GitWit Forum Sessions on Oct 4th
On October 4th, we’re teaming up with Gitwit, a Tulsa-based insights, product, and marketing agency to bring their Forum Sessions learning series to OKC. RSVP HERE.
Forum sessions are tactical and engaging learning events tailored for founders, product strategists, and marketers. In this free, one-hour session around “Creating Your Product Vision”, Giwit’s expert team will share its methods for crafting a strong vision and discuss the dangers of neglecting this important step.
Join the product strategists, designers, and developers to learn more about:
- The impact your vision has on your future product
- Exercises for shaping your product vision
- Methods for rooting your team in the users’ journey
- How to craft a well-defined product story
Leave this session ready to rally your team for a one-day product vision workshop that will ground and guide you in your next product development sprint. No pre-work or prior knowledge required. Plus, stick around after the talk for a happy hour from 5:30-6:30.
Innotech and OK Women in Tech Summit on Oct. 18th
The 15th annual InnoTech Oklahoma, the region’s largest business & technology conference & expo, presented by InterWorks,Inc., will take place at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. In collaboration, Oklahoma Women in Tech (OKWIT) are also hosting its annual summit during the event. Find more information here.
Gener8tor Investment and gBeta Accelerators open!
Apply for the gener8tor’s accelerator and gBETA OKC Programs! Both program offer personalized coaching, mentorship for growth and investment readiness, preparing startups for investment and post-program support. Apply for unexpected opportunities and find more info here.
Female Founders Pitch Competition on Sept 14th
Don’t miss out on the chance to attend the Female Founders Pitch competition, powered by Build in Tulsa on September 14th! Tulsa-based tech startups founded by women will have the opportunity to pitch their business model while building relationships with the Tulsan ecosystem. Get your tickets here