New Foundation to Help Tulsa Entrepreneurs Take Flight

Tulsa, OK - Andy Sajnani, the CEO of Chicago-based full service development, consulting, and investment funding firm Think Latitude, and Misha Shah, an executive at Think Latitude and community leader who was a grand prize winner of the Tulsa Idea Challenge, have launched Startup Tulsa Foundation to help local entrepreneurs thrive.

Sajnani said he started the foundation after noticing a large disparity between the locals and the Tulsa entrepreneurial ecosystem. He said that while Tulsa has resources that are easy to access, there is very little marketing and community awareness about how to access them.

"Most entrepreneurs who are local Tulsans that I have met have little to no knowledge about the wonderful accelerators, incubators, and funds that are available to them," Sajnani said. "Notably, funds that are dedicated to BIPOC founders."

Shah, who will serve as the foundation's director of operations, said she was inspired to start the foundation after participating in the Tulsa Idea Challenge. She noticed that many of the participants did not have access to a laptop, and some did not have the knowledge and training to use a smartphone for researching their idea.

"I saw a major need for a foundation that could provide resources and support to local entrepreneurs," Shah said. "I am confident that Startup Tulsa Foundation can make a real difference in the lives of local entrepreneurs and help them achieve their goals."

Startup Tulsa Foundation will provide a variety of resources to local entrepreneurs, including:
- Education programs on how to use technology
- Making connections to the right individuals to advance their entrepreneurial journey
- Technology donations
- Funding opportunities

"Our goal is to raise community awareness to a level where early stage entrepreneurs can feel welcome and get the assistance they need to take their idea and build a team of mentors and co-founders while getting access to the funding to help boost the economy in Tulsa, hire talent from the city, and continue to see it prosper," Sajnani said.

The foundation is currently in the process of raising funds and building a team of volunteers. Sajnani said he hopes to launch the foundation in the coming months.
"We are excited to get started and help local entrepreneurs achieve their dreams," Sajnani said. "We believe that Tulsa has the potential to be a major entrepreneurial hub, and we are committed to helping make that happen."

To learn more about Startup Tulsa Foundation or to get involved, visit www.startuptulsafoundation.org

Startup Tulsa Foundation
36 E Cameron St.
Tulsa, OK 74103

Startup Tulsa Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to bridge the gap between the local community and Tulsa's entrepreneurial ecosystem. The core mission of Startup Tulsa Foundation is to foster an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive, grow, and succeed.

Startup Tulsa Foundation connects entrepreneurs with resources, mentors, and investors. The organization will provide a wide range of services including educational programs, networking events, and funding opportunities.

This release was published on openPR.