# OK Catalyst

Program, school · [Tulsa and Oklahoma ecosystem](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/tulsa)

Also called: OKCatalyst, Oklahoma Catalyst, SBIR help Oklahoma, SBIR assistance, STTR help

A free statewide program that helps Oklahoma small businesses and research teams apply for federal [SBIR](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/grant) and STTR funding. The [University of Oklahoma](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/tom-love-innovation-hub)'s Tom Love Innovation Hub runs it, with support from the US Small Business Administration and [OCAST](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/ocast). Discussed in the [Techlahoma Slack](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/techlahoma-slack) as offering a virtual introduction to [government contracting](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/government-contracting) and SBIR and STTR in 2025.

**For example:** A [founder](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/founder) planning a first [SBIR](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/grant) application asks OK Catalyst which federal agency fits the technology and gets the draft reviewed before sending it.

## Funding

- OK Catalyst and five partner universities received a shared $150,000 SBA grant for the Hub of the Heartland program in September 2021. [Source: ou.edu](https://www.ou.edu/web/news_events/articles/news_2021/ou-led-ok-catalyst-programs-partner-institutions-receive-sba-grant-to-support-innovation-driven-entrepreneurs-from-underserved-communities)

Figures are as published by the linked source.

## Applying



Rolling applications

Oklahoma-based small businesses and research teams pursuing SBIR or STTR funding can request year-round, on-demand proposal support.

[Official application page](https://www.okcatalyst.com/)

Checked 2026-11-15.
Official site: <https://www.ou.edu/innovationhub/ok-catalyst>

## Connects to (8)

- [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.
- [Non-dilutive funding](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/non-dilutive-funding): Money a company receives without giving up any ownership.
- [Tom Love Innovation Hub](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/tom-love-innovation-hub): The University of Oklahoma's innovation center in Norman.
- [OCAST](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/ocast): Short for the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology.
- [Hard tech](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/hard-tech): Companies whose product rests on physical engineering or new science, such as machines, materials or devices.
- [Oklahoma Commercialization Network](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/oklahoma-commercialization-network): A statewide partnership that acts as a front door for Oklahoma entrepreneurs, pointing them to the organizations that can help.
- [Tulsa Tech Week](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/tulsa-tech-week): A week-long series of tech events across Tulsa, each one hosted by a different person or organization.
- [SBA Mentor-Protégé Program](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/sba-mentor-protege): A US Small Business Administration program in which a small business (the protégé) learns from an experienced government contractor (the…

## Follow

- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ouinnovationhub)

## Sources

- <https://www.ou.edu/innovationhub/ok-catalyst>
- <https://www.ou.edu/web/news_events/articles/news_2021/ou-led-ok-catalyst-programs-partner-institutions-receive-sba-grant-to-support-innovation-driven-entrepreneurs-from-underserved-communities>
- <https://www.okcatalyst.com/>


Map view: https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/ok-catalyst