Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)
In this month’s Doubleshot Newsletter, you will find:
- Builder Highlight: The Verge OKC Launch Party
- Team Highlight: Simone Sparks, Executive Assistant
- LP Highlight: Sean Kouplen
- Cortado News
- PortCo Updates
- Ecosystem News & Events
Builder Highlight: The Verge OKC Launch Party
Centralizing our community’s entrepreneurial resources, The Verge OKC is the hub of entrepreneurship connections in OKC. As a nonprofit organization, The Verge exists to serve, support, and champion Oklahoma City’s diverse entrepreneurial community. The Verge offers a centralized space for education, curated events, flexible workspaces, and an invaluable network of people and resources. It is a supportive community of movers, makers, and visionaries who work together to turn great ideas into impactful businesses. Cortado Ventures is a proud member.
The Verge OKC is hosting its launch party on February 23rd from 4 to 6 pm with opportunities to make connections, hear from key community members, and learn about the exciting things happening in the entrepreneurship sphere in OKC. After the party, attendees are invited to continue the evening at Oklahoma Craft from 6-7:30 pm. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and be at the forefront of the thriving entrepreneurship scene in OKC! RSVP Here.
Now Hiring: The Membership & Office Coordinator represents The Verge as the welcoming face of its community entrepreneurship hub and ensures a positive customer experience from the time someone walks in the door through all stages of their membership. Apply Here.
Team Highlight: Simone Sparks, Executive Assistant
Our latest hire is Simone Sparks, who joined Cortado Ventures as our Executive Assistant. Simone is an Oklahoma City native, bringing over 12 years of leadership experience in directing multifaceted teams and producing cultural change in both non-profit and for-profit spectrums. She is a resourceful problem solver and creative visionary with innate ability to implement new strategies and systems. We are fortunate to have Simone on our team.
LP Highlight: Sean Kouplen
This month, we are featuring one of LPs, Sean Kouplen, who also serves as one of our 11 advisors. Sean is the Chairman & CEO of Tulsa-based Regent Bank, which he led led an investor group in 2008 to purchase the 110-year old Regent Bank in Nowata, OK. Since that time, the bank has expanded to Tulsa, OKC, Springfield, Bartlesville, Edmond and Broken Arrow. The bank has grown organically from $72 million to $1.3 billion in assets, one of America’s fastest-growing banks. Sean is the recipient of numerous awards including the Journal Record’s Most Admired CEO.
Sean, who served as Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce & Workforce Development from 2019-2021, recently wrote about his passion for the energizing tech startup ecosystem growing in Oklahoma and its transformation for our communities. Read the opinion piece in the Tulsa World.
Cortado News
2023: Looking Back and Looking Ahead
In his latest Medium post, our Managing Partner Nathaniel Harding reflects on Cortado’s growth in the past year and articulates our vision ahead. Since Cortado Ventures inception in 2020, we have led with the belief that technological innovation has advanced to new regions, as the “third wave” of venture capital arrived in the Midcontinent. This remains true as we shape up our third year. Read the full article here.
Black History Month: OKC’s Black-Owned Business Legacy
Our Platform Manager J.D. Baker contributed to the cover story of the June/July 2022 issue of 405 Business Magazine. In this issue, he shared the stories of early pioneers, highlighting the history and legacy of Black-owned businesses in Oklahoma City.
Cortado Goes Global
In January, Cortado had team members across three continents. Our General Partner Mike Moradi attend and spoke at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Our Principal Susan Moring traveled to South Asia as a participant of the U.S. State Department Professional Fellows Program, facilitated by the University of Oklahoma. Finally, our Entrepreneur-in-Residence Deborah Moorad attended the 41st Annual JP Morgan Health Care Conference in San Francisco. Read more by clicking the links above.
PortCo Updates
Myri Health and the Postpartum World
Cortado’s Venture Executive Cody Merrill sat one-on-one with Dr. Pinkey Patel, founder of Myri Health, to gain her vision for her company and the emerging efforts of female founders like herself to transform FemTech. Read the story here.
nSight Surgical
Exciting news! nSight Surgical has been selected as a finalist for the 15th annual SXSW Pitch competition. This year’s competition will showcase the most innovative technologies from around the world, including nSight Surgical’s cutting-edge solutions. Read more here.
Pipedream Labs nominated for Startup of The Year
Popular startup tech podcast, This Week in Startups, nominated Pipedream Labs as one of its five contenders for “Start of the Year” award for their annual TWiSTY Awards. Their nomination came alongside the inventors of ChatGPT (OpenAI) and popular social media app, BeReal. Here’s what This Week in Startups hosts had to say.
New Investment Alert: Mate Fertility
Cortado Ventures is proud to lead the investment round for Mate Fertility. This startup partners with experienced ObGyn surgeons to provide expert and affordable fertility care with the oversight of board certified reproductive endocrinologist and PhD lab directors. Mate brings all fertility services under one roof, delivered in a safe and warm environment, because Mate believes that fertility care should be accessible and affordable for all.
Ecosystem News & Events
Grand Opening: Greater Oklahoma City Asian Chamber of Commerce Established
The Greater Oklahoma City Asian Chamber of Commerce has been officially established. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt joined other leaders for the newly established chamber. Read the full story here.
OKCID Cocktails & Collaboration
Oklahoma City Innovation District’s Cocktails & Collaboration is on Tuesday, February 14 from 5:30-6:30pm at Vanessa House Beer Co. where they will be highlighting OK Coders. The first 50 people will receive a free Valentine’s Day drink! More info here.
Techlahoma: Tulsa Hack Night
During this month’s Hack Night, the focus will be on fun and creativity. Simple prompts and an introduction to P5 will be provided for those unfamiliar with it. Participants will work in single, pairs, or small groups to create something based on the prompt and then come together for a show-and-tell session. No prior experience with P5 is necessary and participants can pair with someone and learn. Dinner will be provided and it is encouraged to bring your own laptop. To attend, click here.