Startup OU Idea Accelerator, Powered by OKC Innovation District, Graduates Inaugural Summer Cohort
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OKLAHOMA CITY (August __, 2025) — The Startup OU Idea Accelerator, powered by the OKC Innovation District, wrapped its inaugural summer cohort in July, graduating a group of early-stage founders ready to take their next steps in Oklahoma’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Hosted at Innovation Hall, the four-week program guided participants through the earliest stages of launching a business. Topics included customer discovery, market sizing, creating value propositions, and developing clear problem statements. The accelerator provided a supportive space for founders to test their ideas, get feedback, and build momentum with clarity and confidence.
Participants brought a range of ideas to the table, from dissolvable eco-confetti to technology that streamlines restaurant processes and team communication, all united by a willingness to rethink assumptions and grow through action.
“The biggest thing I noticed was a mindset shift,” said Aaron Latham, Startup OU Program Coordinator, and the program’s instructor. “We tried to give them a structured way of thinking in an otherwise unstructured environment. Ideas can feel huge and unclear—our goal was to help reframe assumptions, test them early, and make better decisions faster.”
The curriculum prioritized learning through iteration while pushing founders to validate assumptions with real users, run interviews, and continuously refine their problem statements and customer segments.
“There were a lot of questions I had coming in—how to start, how to develop my idea, if it was even a good idea to begin with,” said cohort member Kimberly Jaworski, a longtime video producer and founder of a dissolvable confetti product. “I feel a lot more confident about my next steps with what I want to pursue with my business and my product. (The program) it's helped me to home in on what I need to do for next steps, as opposed to it being— more of a dream.”
Dominique Phillips, founder of two startups in the program, shared a similar takeaway:
“I walked away thinking differently—less buzzwords, more clarity,” she said. “Even the way I pitch my idea is more focused now. I found a community, and I also found a better starting point.”
For Latham, the cohort served as a reminder of why mindset and accessibility matter:
“It reminded me how important it is to meet people where they are. Everyone came in with different life circumstances, and yet they all made consistent progress by sticking to the process. Whether you're in week one or year six of a business, verifying your assumptions and making informed decisions—that’s what sustains growth.”
“At Price College, our mission goes beyond educating students—it’s also about serving Oklahoma. This program reflects that commitment by using our strengths to support entrepreneurs and help grow Oklahoma’s innovation economy. We’re proud to partner with the OKC Innovation District to make that possible.” – Dr. Keith Brigham, Ph.D., Interim Executive Director, Tom Love Innovation Hub & Director, Tom Love Division of Entrepreneurship & Economic Development, Price College of Business, University of Oklahoma.
The Startup OU Idea Accelerator is one of several entrepreneurship programs supported by the OKC Innovation District to help cultivate a diverse, sustainable innovation pipeline. To learn more about the Startup OU Idea Accelerator or upcoming opportunities at Innovation Hall, visit okcinnovation.com