Innovate That Podcast

Unveiling Oklahoma’s Thriving Innovation Scene: Insights from the Global Entrepreneurship Congress

This special episode of "Innovate That" was recorded live at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Indianapolis. Jennifer McGrail is joined by Wade Dunn from Gradient in Tulsa and Kristin Garcia from The Verge in Oklahoma City.

Together, they discuss Oklahoma’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem, share insights from the global event, and address common misconceptions about innovation in their state. Highlighting collaboration, community, and global connections, the episode showcases Oklahoma’s emergence as a vibrant hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, ready to compete on the world stage.

This episode explores how Oklahoma is making waves nationally in entrepreneurship and startup support. Tune in as these leaders discuss capital access, founder momentum, and what it takes to build thriving ecosystems from the ground up.

Introduction to the Podcast and Guests (00:00:00) Hosts introduce the special episode, the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, and guests Wade Dunn and Kristin Garcia.

Gradient Innovation Hub Overview (00:00:25)

Wade Dunn describes his role and explains Gradient’s mission, facilities, and partnerships in Tulsa.

The Verge Innovation Hub Overview (00:01:01)

Kristin Garcia introduces The Verge, its services, and its role in Oklahoma City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Oklahoma at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (00:01:34)

Discussion about Oklahoma’s presence at the Congress and its comparison to global innovation ecosystems.

Reflections on Oklahoma’s Global Standing (00:01:55)

Wade shares his impressions of Oklahoma’s progress and challenges compared to other global ecosystems.

Global Entrepreneurship Week and International Connections (00:02:57)

Kristin discusses her role in Global Entrepreneurship Week and the value of international networking.

Misconceptions About Oklahoma and Innovation (00:03:46)

The hosts discuss common misconceptions about Oklahoma, using sports analogies and recent events.

Changing Perceptions Through Entrepreneurship (00:04:50)

Kristin shares experiences of representing Oklahoma at national events and surprising others with the state’s innovation.

Personal Surprises and Growth in Oklahoma (00:06:02)

Wade and Kristin reflect on their initial misconceptions and the innovative reality they discovered in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma’s Tech and Startup Success Stories (00:07:07)

Wade highlights the diversity and success of tech startups in Oklahoma, emphasizing their growth and impact.

Native Oklahoman’s Perspective on State’s Reputation (00:07:59)

The host shares personal experiences with outsiders’ perceptions and the opportunity to showcase Oklahoma’s broader achievements.

WindShape

In this latest episode of Innovate That, Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell talks with Steve Cole, Director of the WindShape Test Facility in Tulsa, OK.

Founded by five engineers in Switzerland, WindShape is redefining drone testing by recreating real-world weather conditions like wind, rain, and lightning in a controlled environment—helping validate performance and safety like never before.

XploSafe

Lt. Gov Matt Pinnell sat down with Shoaib Shaikh, Co-Founder|CEO and Michael Teicheira, Chief of Operations at XPLOSafe, an Oklahoma company developing cutting-edge chemical safety and air monitoring tech — tools that are protecting lives on Earth and contributing to NASA’s mission in space.

Zeeco

Join Oklahoma Lt. Gov Matt Pinnell and Jenny Cochran of Zeeco, Inc. You will learn how Zeeco is innovating with its Advanced Research Complex (ARC), prioritizing sustainability, and benefiting from OCAST's Industry Innovation funding to lead in global impact and efficiency. 

Vigilant Aerospace Systems, Inc.

Listen to the latest Innovate That podcast with Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and Kraettli L. Epperson, CEO of Vigilant Aerospace Systems, about the future of drones, aerospace innovation, and Oklahoma’s leadership in advanced air mobility.

Myri Health

Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell is back with another episode of Innovate That! Today, we’re joined by Dr. Pinkey Patel, founder and CEO of Myri Health—a groundbreaking platform revolutionizing maternal health with cutting-edge technology and personalized care.

Bedrock Ventures, LLC

In the latest episode of the Innovate That Podcast, Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell sits down with Ron Mercer, President of Bedrock Ventures, to discuss their groundbreaking work in energy diversification.

Inside OCAST: The Team Behind the Mission

In this SPECIAL STAFF edition of Innovate That!, your host Makeba Griffin and co-host Mark Ballard take you behind the scenes to meet the incredible OCAST staff.—both proud members of the OCAST staff—take you behind the scenes to meet the incredible team driving innovation across Oklahoma. Learn about their roles, hear fun facts about what inspires them, and discover the passion and dedication behind OCAST’s mission to advance science and technology in our state.

Yoni Fit

In this episode of Innovate That, hosted by Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell, we talk with Alison Watkins, founder of Watkins-Conti Products. Alison shares the story behind Yoni Fit®, an innovative solution transforming pelvic health care, and the challenges she faced bringing it to market. Tune in to hear how she's partnering with healthcare institutions and making a difference right here in Oklahoma.

Cadenza Bio

In this episode, Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell talks with the co-founders of Cadenza Bio, Dr. Carol Curtis and Dr. Elaine Hamm. Cadenza Bio is a biotech company developing new treatments for diseases that damage nerves and cause inflammation. Their mission is to stop disease progression, support healing, and improve patients' lives.