The Verge OKC

On July 15, The Verge OKC hosted a Pitch Competition featuring eight Oklahoma startups out of 54 applicants. Tulsa's Gargoyle Systems won the top prize: a $20,000 uncapped SAFE investment and additional awards from The Verge OKC, Cortado Ventures Angel Fund, and BLC Capital Ventures. Their focus on passive airspace security for critical infrastructure impressed judges. The Inasmuch Foundation surprised everyone by granting $2,000 to each participating company, supporting Oklahoma's startup ecosystem. Additionally, The Verge OKC provided all competitors with memberships through 2026 for ongoing access to resources and community support. Your generosity helps create an environment where Oklahoma founders can thrive together.

Meet Grayson Griffin. Built Aperio in a weekend — walked away with an Honorable Mention. His team came together over 54 hours with one focus: helping legal teams build stronger mitigation strategies using AI-powered insights, so attorneys can fight for better outcomes for their clients. Strangers on Friday. Co-founders by Sunday. This is what happens when the right people end up in the same room. #SummerStartup #TheVergeOKC #OKCEntrepreneurs

Tomorrow’s the BIG DAY!! The investment is up to $20,000 with the addition of BLC Capital Ventures. Don’t miss seeing these 8 companies pitch. RSVP today!

This month's Pitches, Pizza & Pints features Jacob Brown, Managing Partner of BLC Capital Ventures. A native Oklahoman, Jacob has built and scaled businesses across private equity and real estate — and now backs early-stage companies in agriculture, AI, and technology through BLC Capital, with a mission to keep Oklahoma's best founders building here. If you want to understand how investors think, this is the conversation to be in the room for. Founders can also grab the mic for a 90-second pitch. Pitches, Pizza & Pints — featuring Jacob Brown, BLC Capital Ventures Wed, July 22 | 4:00–6:00 PM | 5th Floor Community Room | Free pizza and drinks

Eight founders. One winner. $20,000 on the line. The Verge OKC, Cortado Angel Fund & BLC Capital are teaming up July 15th for a live pitch competition spotlighting Oklahoma's most promising early-stage startups. Finalists pitch in front of investors, judges, and the community — and one company walks away with a $20K investment via an uncapped SAFE. Come watch the next wave of OKC founders take the stage. Watch Oklahoma founders pitch live. RSVP link in the comments or visit Cortado Ventures online.

One Wednesday. Three reasons to spend it on our 5th floor. July 8th is a full day at The Verge: ☕ 9–10 AM — 1 Million Cups OKC: hear a local founder share their story, then meet the mentors and community leaders in the room. 💻 9 AM–5 PM — Free Coworking Wednesday: work alongside entrepreneurs and startup teams building across OKC. Grab your day pass at the front desk. 🥪 12–1 PM — On The Verge Workshop, "WTF to Unstuck": Clint Williams on the Five Ps where burnout actually shows up in a business — Pricing, Positioning, Pipeline, Process, People. Free lunch, open to all. RSVP in the comments below. Come for one. Stay for the day. And if you like what you feel on the 5th floor, ask us about membership — this is the room people come back for. #TheVergeOKC #OKCStartups #Entrepreneurship #OklahomaCity #ThisIsWhereOKCBuilds

The grind doesn’t pause for summer! 🌟 We’re ready to assist you with your startup journey. From legal guidance to networking opportunities, plus an incredible Pitch Event, we’ve got everything you need! #TheVergeOKC #OnTheVerge #OklahomaCity #ThisIsWhereOKCBuilds

The Summer Startup 2026 was truly exceptional, thanks to the amazing people involved. Our Verge member, Chris Byers, opened the weekend by sharing his inspiring founder journey in tech. He emphasized the importance of validating your ideas and building a strong team. Plus, he offered valuable insights on leveraging AI for product development! 🌟 #SummerStartup2026 #TheVergeOKC #OKStartups #OklahomaCity

As BioWeek 2026 approaches, OKBioStart, The Verge OKC, and the OKC Innovation District are teaming up to prepare for the open call, live pitch competition on August 20. Key Dates: July 24 | Application Deadline  Final day to submit your biotech innovation, medical device, or virtual health software. July 31 | Finalists Selected  Selected life science startups will be announced. August 6 | Pitch Practice  Finalists will receive mentor feedback and refine their presentations. August 20, 4:30–6:30 PM | Live Pitch Competition  Join us at The Verge OKC for finalist pitches, networking, and complimentary food and beverages. Applications are open, and general admission is free. Space is limited, so apply or RSVP using the QR code on the graphic or the link in the comments! #OKCBioWeek #LifeSciences #BioTech #OKCInnovates #PitchCompetition #OKCStartups #InnovationDistrict 

In observance of Independence Day, our office will be closed on Friday, July 3rd. We will resume normal business hours on Monday, July 6th. Have a wonderful and safe weekend! ❤️🤍💙 #TheVergeOKC #IndependenceDay #FourthOfJuly #HolidayHours