Duties of the Oklahoma City Thunder extend further than just the basketball court. With OKC being a smaller market than most, the Thunder are working to boost business development within their home state. Their latest initiative is called “Thunder Launchpad,” which seeks to boost local tech investment:
The initiative is in partnership with StitchCrew, a local firm seeking to help tech-based entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground.
Thunder Launchpad’s physical space is located in OKC’s Midtown neighborhood. It will play host to events and programs giving entrepreneurs the space and resources they need to impress potential investors.
“We’re proud that the Thunder has become such an integral part of our community, and we are invested in the future of our home state,” Brian Byrnes, senior VP of Sales and Marketing for the Thunder, said in a statement Thursday. “Creating the Thunder Launchpad is a unique and forward-looking way to reinforce the exceptional ties we have formed across the region and to foster growth and development in Oklahoma.”
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You can apply to be part of the Thunder Launchpad Accelerator (TLA) — a 12-week program meant to serve startups in terms of designing and scaling innovations.
“In March 2018, we will host the first cohort of founders who will benefit from free workspace, mentorship and a vast suite of shared services through our established network of investment, operations, marketing and legal providers,” according to the TLA website. “Once we get ideas off the ground, founders out of the garage and ready to be venture-backed we introduce our startups to the investment community.”
The Thunder and StitchCrew are welcoming all to apply, regardless of industry.
“We are thrilled about our partnership with the Oklahoma City Thunder,” StitchCrew founder Erika Lucas said in a statement. “Cultivating a thriving startup community and a sustainable innovation ecosystem takes a lot of effort, open collaboration and a long-term commitment. We couldn’t think of a better community partner to help catalyze this effort.”