About Startup OU
Startup OU is an entrepreneurship hub that fosters and champions the next generation of founders and entrepreneurial talent. Our organization serves as an entry point into the University of Oklahoma, state, and regional startup ecosystems; a connection point for startup founders and university resources and talent; and a launch point for university-affiliated and community startups into the state and regional economies.
Launched in early 2021, Startup OU has grown from a single consulting program to a hub of entrepreneurial activity, offering a number of launch programs, community initiatives, startup competitions and events designed to help kickstart the entrepreneurial journey. Whether someone is interested in acquiring new skills, exploring an idea, joining a startup or founding a company, Startup OU is the starting point.
Service Areas
Our organization serves aspiring and first-time founders across the central Oklahoma region, with special priority given to university-affiliated founders, including University of Oklahoma students, faculty, staff and alumni. However, our entrepreneurship hub is a space for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, not just those with an idea.
Core Purposes
Engage and cultivate the startup ecosystem at the University of Oklahoma and the greater Oklahoma and regional ecosystems.
Train the startup workforce and create a pipeline of University talent into the surrounding ecosystems.
Launch and scale university-affiliated and community startups into the state and regional economies.
Impact
Since launching in January 2021, Startup OU has supported nearly 60 startup projects, with more than 40 supported projects transitioning to active startups—nearly 30 of which remain engaged with and currently receive services through Startup OU—and creating more than 160 jobs* in the surrounding economy.
*Startup OU defines "jobs" to include part- and full-time positions within a company compensated through equity arrangements and/or capital. Under this framework, created jobs may include:
- startup founder and cofounder positions, whether receiving payment through the company or otherwise;
- equity-based employment without salary compensation;
- salary-based employment without equity compensation;
- a combination of equity- and salary-based employment; and
- independent contractors compensated in equity, capital, or other valuable consideration as agreed between the company and the contractor.
Additionally, Startup OU's portfolio of startups has secured nearly $3,000,000 in seed capital via government grants, private grants, personal or private loans, angel capital, and/or venture capital, either during or after their involvement with the organization.
Team
Director, Startup OU
Email: daytenisrael@ou.edu
LinkedIn: Dayten Israel
Office: Room 125
Dayten Israel is a business attorney and strategic communication professional.
In his role as director, Dayten leads strategic development around experiential entrepreneurship, coaches early-stage founders through all aspects of the startup development process from idea to launch, and builds collaborations across the university and greater Oklahoma entrepreneurial ecosystems to create a pipeline of entrepreneurs and talent into the Oklahoma economy.
In addition to his role as director, Dayten also serves as lead supervising attorney with the Startup Legal Clinic housed under the OU Entrepreneurial Law Center.
Aaron Latham
Venture Development Manager
Olivia Gorman
Venture Development Manager
Chase Greeno
Venture Development Manager
Locations
Startup Hub (Headquarters)
Startup OU is headquartered in the Tom Love Innovation Hub located on the University of Oklahoma Research Campus.
Startup Hub (Main Campus)
Startup OU operates student-facing hours at the Center for Entrepreneurship located in the Price College of Business.
Startup Hub (OKC)
Startup OU operates community-facing hours at the University of Oklahoma's suite located in the Verge OKC.
Questions About Startup OU
If you have any questions about Startup OU or any of our opportunities, please contact us by email at startups@ou.edu or by phone at (405) 325-7808.
