Convergence Unveils Future of Innovation: Beam Signing and Topping Off Ceremony
Oklahoma City— Convergence, a groundbreaking mixed-use development located in the Oklahoma City Innovation District (OKCID), is set to transform the landscape of collaboration. Spearheaded by Richard Tanenbaum, CEO of Gardner Tanenbaum Holdings, and Mark Beffort, CEO of Robinson Park, Convergence is poised to become an epicenter of OKCID. A significant milestone in this innovative venture was the Innovation Hall Beam Signing and Convergence Topping Off Ceremony held on February 5th at the Convergence construction site.
Breaking Ground for a Bold Vision
In December 2022, the Oklahoma City Innovation District, joined by key public officials, initiated the groundbreaking of Convergence. This visionary project, a joint venture between Gardner Tanenbaum Holdings and Robinson Park Investments, is designed to reshape how we perceive collaboration and innovation.
“The idea is to build an ecosystem that has a lot of diverse people, diverse companies that are all working together to further individual companies or individual ideas or technologies.” said Mark Beffort, CEO of Robinson Park, “That's what we're building over there. It’s a huge ecosystem, not just an individual building sitting at a particular place, trying to find [a] spot. We've created the spot.”
The 76th Software Engineering Group, a strategic partner of Convergence, is poised to accelerate innovation in aerospace and defense, contributing to the already significant aerospace presence among building tenants.
Stride Bank, an Oklahoma-based financial institution founded in 1913, plays a pivotal role in making Convergence a reality. Their unwavering commitment to innovation aligns seamlessly with the vision of Convergence.
The Convergence Experience: A Hub of Possibilities
Boasting an array of features, this mixed-use development is set to become the heartbeat of OKCID:
Innovation Hall: Scheduled to open in early 2025 and operated by OKCID, Innovation Hall is a dynamic hub for collaboration, learning, and connection. From corporate meetings to creative workshops, the hall will offer versatile conference rooms for diverse events, complete with a cafe that will be open to the public. Also located within the Hall will be BioTC, Oklahoma’s first biomanufacturing training facility. BioTC will play a crucial role in providing short-term, intensive training programs, addressing workforce needs and bolstering the local biotech sector's growth.
Future Convergence Tenants Include:
CrossFirst Bank: CrossFirst Bank, anticipating substantial growth in Oklahoma City, looks forward to establishing a new location at Convergence in collaboration with Gardner Tanenbaum and Robinson Park Investments, emphasizing a client-centric and community-focused approach.
University of Oklahoma (OU): The University of Oklahoma, represented by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Partnerships and the Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute (OADIl), eagerly anticipates playing a pivotal role in the Innovation Center at Convergence, fostering collaborations between innovative national security research and aerospace and defense partners.
Wheeler Bio: Wheeler Bio, an emerging CDMO company, specializes in biomanufacturing for preclinical trials. They hope to bridge the gap between discovery and development. They are anticipated to play a major role in Oklahoma’s growing biotech industry.
For media inquiries or further information on Convergence OKC, please contact:
Megan Gelmers | Convergence OKC | Phone: 918.698.3024 | Email: mgelmers@Robinson-Park.com
Learn more about Convergence and its commitment to shaping the future of innovation at convergenceokc.com.
For media inquiries or further information on OKCID and Innovation Hall, please contact:
Emma Anderson | Oklahoma City Innovation District | Email: emma.anderson@okcinnovation.com