Tulsa’s business scene has grown fast over the past few years. Programs that pay remote workers to relocate, plus a real shift toward backing local startups, have turned the city into one of the more active entrepreneurial hubs in the Midwest.
None of that helps you if you just moved here, or just quit your corporate job to start something, and don’t know a single person in the room. You can have a strong business idea and still be stuck, because growth in Tulsa runs through relationships, not cold outreach.
Here’s a practical, step-by-step way to plug into the Tulsa business community, starting with where you work every day and moving through the events, programs, and habits that actually build a network.
Step 1: Pick a Home Base You’ll Actually Use
You won’t build a local network working alone at your kitchen table. The fastest way in is to put yourself somewhere other business owners already are, every day, not just at the one conference you attend each quarter.
At Catalyst Coworking in Midtown (2510 E 15th St), that’s the whole point of the space. Grab a cup of Brice’s Coffee in the common area and you might end up next to a web developer who can fix a bug on your site, or a bookkeeper who’s been looking for a client exactly like you. It happens over coffee, not a pitch.
If you want to see what a day there looks like before you commit, check out our guide to the Catalyst community.
Step 2: Go to the Events That Actually Move the Needle
Tulsa’s event calendar is full, but showing up to every generic mixer will wear you out and get you nowhere. Pick from the organizations that are actually built for connection, not just free drinks.
Startup Grind Tulsa
Startup Grind brings together first-time founders, experienced operators, and neighborhood business owners. Their monthly Walk & Talks and fireside chats with local founders are built for actual conversation, not elevator pitches.
Gradient, Tulsa’s Innovation Hub
Gradient runs Tulsa’s Global Entrepreneurship Week programming and hosts events built around specific, usable skills:
- The 101, lunchtime workshops taught by local experts
- Tulsa Women’s Business Breakfast, a quarterly meetup for female business owners
- Ask Me Anything, free 30-minute sessions with law, finance, and small business specialists
Network After Work Tulsa
If you prefer a more relaxed setting, this Meetup group runs monthly mixers at local restaurants and bars. Less structured, but a solid way to meet people outside your immediate industry.
Step 3: Use the Support Built for Startups
Tulsa has real infrastructure for funding, training, and business support. Three worth knowing:
Build in Tulsa supports Black entrepreneurs with accelerators, pitch competitions like Product Pitch Night, and cohort programs such as the W.E. Build launch.
PartnerTulsa is your go-to if you need help with local government, real estate, or capital. They run the Small Business Enterprise program, which commits 10% of city contracting dollars to local small businesses, and can connect you to certified incubators and funding options.
Oklahoma Small Business Exchange (OKSBE) runs Connect 2026, a statewide series of business gatherings including the FutureOK Forum, for founders who want to network beyond Tulsa city limits.
Step 4: Show Up Every Month, Not Just Once
A single conference and a stack of business cards won’t build your network. Consistency will.
Pick one or two groups, like Startup Grind or Gradient, and go every month. Work from a space like Catalyst Coworking two or three days a week so people start recognizing you. Offer to help someone before you ask them for anything. Tulsa is a city that notices who actually does the work.
Ready to find your basecamp?
Tour Catalyst Coworking in Midtown, grab a coffee, and let us introduce you to the community. Presale rates are open now for our Downtown location.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tulsa business community, exactly?
It’s the network of founders, remote workers, coworking spaces, accelerators, and city programs that support small business growth in Tulsa. It includes formal groups like Startup Grind and Gradient, plus informal networks built through coworking spaces and repeat events.
I just moved to Tulsa. Where do I start networking?
Start with a coworking space so you’re around other business owners daily, then add one recurring event, like a Startup Grind Walk & Talk or a Gradient workshop. Consistency beats attending a lot of one-off events.
Is Catalyst Coworking good for networking, or just for getting work done?
Both. Members work from the space day to day, which naturally leads to running into other founders and freelancers over coffee, plus Catalyst runs its own mentorship program and community events for members who want more structured connections.
Do I need to already have a startup to join these Tulsa events?
No. Startup Grind, Gradient, and Network After Work all welcome remote workers, freelancers, and people still figuring out their next move, not just founders with a registered company.
What’s the difference between PartnerTulsa and Build in Tulsa?
PartnerTulsa is a city economic development resource covering real estate, capital, and government contracting access for any small business. Build in Tulsa is focused specifically on supporting Black entrepreneurs through accelerators and cohort programs.
Bottom Line
You don’t need to know anyone to build a real network in Tulsa. You need a place to show up regularly and a short list of events you actually attend every month. Start with a home base, add one or two organizations, and use the city’s startup resources when you need them. The rest builds itself.
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