# Hard tech

Concept · [Business and metrics](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/business)

Also called: hardtech, deep tech, deeptech, hardware startup, hardware, physical product, manufacturing

Companies whose product rests on physical engineering or new science, such as machines, materials or devices. They usually need more time, equipment and money before a first sale than software companies do.

**For example:** A team building a new kind of water sensor needs a lab, parts and a [factory](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/software-factory) partner. A software team needs laptops. The sensor company is hard tech.

## Connects to (35)

- [Open source hardware](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/open-source-hardware): Physical products whose design files are published so anyone can study, change, make and sell the design or hardware based on it.
- [Prototype](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/prototype): An early, rough version of a product made to test an idea or show others what you mean.
- [Non-dilutive funding](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/non-dilutive-funding): Money a company receives without giving up any ownership.
- [Intellectual property](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/intellectual-property): Things you create that can be owned, such as code, designs, brand names and inventions.
- [Grant](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/grant): Money given for a stated purpose that does not have to be repaid and does not buy any ownership.
- [Makerspace](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/makerspace): A shared workshop with tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters and electronics benches that members can use.
- [Tulsa Innovation Labs](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/tulsa-innovation-labs): A tech-led economic development organization in Tulsa.
- [Rose Rock Bridge](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/rose-rock-bridge): A Tulsa program that connects energy companies with startups whose technology they might use.
- [Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/oklahoma-cyber-innovation-institute): A cybersecurity research institute led by the University of Tulsa.
- [Tulsa Tech Hub](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/tulsa-tech-hub): A regional effort to make Tulsa a center for autonomous systems, such as drones.
- [Cortado Ventures](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/cortado-ventures): A venture capital firm in Oklahoma City.
- [OLSF Ventures](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/olsf-ventures): A venture capital firm in Tulsa, also known as the Oklahoma Life Science Fund, that invests only in health care companies at the seed and…
- [Industry Innovation Program](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/ocast-industry-innovation-program): An OCAST grant program that gives non-dilutive funding to Oklahoma companies for innovation projects.
- [OK Catalyst](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/ok-catalyst): A free statewide program that helps Oklahoma small businesses and research teams apply for federal SBIR and STTR funding.
- [Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/oklahoma-manufacturing-alliance): A statewide nonprofit network helping manufacturers adopt technology, develop their workforce and improve operations.
- [OSU New Product Development Center](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/osu-new-product-development-center): An engineering outreach unit of Oklahoma State University that helps Oklahoma inventors and small manufacturers develop new products.
- [Fab Lab Tulsa](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/fab-lab-tulsa): A nonprofit makerspace in Tulsa.
- [OKC Open Source Hardware](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/okc-open-source-hardware): An Oklahoma City user group in the Techlahoma network for people who build open source hardware and electronics.
- [Oklahoma City Innovation District](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/okc-innovation-district): A district in northeast Oklahoma City and the organization, OKCID, that builds partnerships and programs there.
- [CAD](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/cad): Computer-aided design.
- [Mesh network](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/mesh-network): A network where devices pass data to each other instead of each one needing its own connection to the internet, so it can cover places…
- [Bill of materials](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/bill-of-materials): A complete list of the parts, materials and quantities needed to build a product.
- [Original equipment manufacturer](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/original-equipment-manufacturer): A company that makes products or parts that another company sells or builds into its own products, often under the other company's brand.
- [Track One](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/track-one): A US Patent and Trademark Office option to pay extra fees so a utility or plant patent application gets prioritized examination.
- [US Department of Agriculture](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/usda): The federal department for farming, food and rural America.
- [Wing](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/wing): A drone delivery company that started in the labs of Google.
- [Grand River Dam Authority](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/grda): Oklahoma's largest public power utility, funded by its electricity and water sales rather than taxes.
- [Maker Faire Tulsa](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/maker-faire-tulsa): A yearly family-friendly show and tell in Tulsa where engineers, artists, scientists and crafters show what they have made.
- [Manna](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/manna-drone-delivery): A drone delivery company that flies medicine, groceries and everyday items from local stores to customers' yards.
- [OG&E](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/oge): Oklahoma Gas and Electric, an electric utility that has powered Oklahoma since 1902 and also serves part of western Arkansas.
- [Oklahoma Corporation Commission](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/oklahoma-corporation-commission): The Oklahoma state regulator for fuel, oil and gas, public utilities and transportation.
- [Public Service Company of Oklahoma](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/pso): An electric utility headquartered in Tulsa and part of American Electric Power.
- [Oklahoma Talent Accelerator](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/talent-accelerator-grant): An Oklahoma workforce program, led by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and funded by a US Department of Labor grant, that helps…
- [Oklahoma Research and Development Rebate](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/oklahoma-rd-rebate): A rebate for qualifying research expenditures in Oklahoma.
- [Oklahoma Innovation Expansion Program](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/oklahoma-innovation-expansion): Commerce and ODFA support qualifying capital investment and business expansion through payroll tax rebates.

Map view: https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/hard-tech