November is a busy month in the Innovation District, with Global Entrepreneurship Week on the horizon and a full lineup of workshops, community programs, partner events, grant opportunities, and celebrations at Innovation Hall. This newsletter brings together everything happening across the District and the updates you need to stay connected this month.
GEW & Innovation Hall Events
Global Entrepreneurship Week at Innovation Hall
Innovation Hall will host two key events on November 17 as part of
Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 17th-21st)
The afternoon begins with OKC Startup Census: Insights, Policy, and Pathways Forward, a program featuring census findings, a policy panel, and roundtable discussions exploring the future of Oklahoma City’s startup ecosystem. Programming runs from 3:30–5:30 PM.
Immediately after, we’ll gather for a special GEW edition of Cocktails & Collaboration from 5:30–6:30 PM, bringing founders, partners, and community members together to connect and continue the conversation.
Join Cam Perry of Between Two Divs for an interactive session exploring how artificial intelligence is changing the way we build, think, and create. Learn practical strategies for developing applications with AI and how inclusive innovation drives stronger communities and a more diverse tech ecosystem.
Join us on December 18 for a festive community night at Innovation Hall featuring a youth vendor market with Kidvation Global, ornament decorating, hands-on crafts, science demos, a holiday movie, trivia, and a photo station. We’ll also be collecting toys for families in need this season.
Our new café operator will be on site with a hot chocolate bar to keep the night warm and welcoming.
A new café experience is coming to Innovation Hall! We’re partnering with a well-known Oklahoma City coffee brand that’s bringing its signature Hudson Street energy straight into the Hall. Expect quality drinks, a familiar vibe, and a style our community already loves.
Ahead of their full move-in this January, you’ll get two chances to meet the team and preview what’s coming. They’ll host a pop-up hot chocolate bar at Deck the Halls in December, followed by one more pop-up in January right before the official launch. More details soon.
BioTC Names Kelley Dowd, Ph.D. Interim Executive Director
BioTC Names Kelley Dowd, Ph.D. Interim Executive Director
BioTC has appointed Kelley Dowd, Ph.D. as Interim Executive Director as the organization enters its next stage of growth. Dr. Dowd brings more than 15 years of experience in biotechnology and workforce development, including leadership roles with the Oklahoma City Innovation District, BioTC, and Cytovance Biologics.
She will lead BioTC through a new market assessment and continued expansion of training programs and industry partnerships. “Kelley’s leadership provides continuity and momentum for BioTC’s mission,” said Jeff Seymour, CEO and President of OKCID.
Life Science Oklahoma is hosting a free online session on strategies for securing nondilutive funding for biotech and research-focused organizations. Presenters from BDO’s Government Contracts and Life Sciences practice will cover how to pursue federal opportunities, navigate compliance requirements, and identify alternative funding pathways.
Cytovance Biologics Marks 20 Years in Oklahoma City
Cytovance Biologics celebrated its 20th anniversary at Innovation Hall, highlighting two decades of biomanufacturing growth and industry partnership in Oklahoma City. Since 2005, the company has supported more than 300 client programs and helped advance biologics from early development to commercial scale, while contributing to workforce and STEM initiatives across the region.
Share what’s happening in your corner of the Innovation District. Workshops, panels, meetups, open houses, celebrations, and community activations all belong here. The District thrives on movement and collaboration, and this space highlights the work, ideas, and activity shaping our community.
Use this form to submit your event for the District Happenings page and possible inclusion in our newsletter. Send us the details and we’ll help get the word out.
MoreEND2Cancer: Emerging Nanotechnology & Drug Delivery Applications
The OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center will host the 2025 END2CANCER conference on December 4–5, bringing together researchers, clinicians, and industry partners to explore advances in nanotechnology and drug delivery for cancer treatment. The two-day event will take place at the Samis Education Center on the OU Health campus. Registration is open through November 24.
Wednesday, November 19 | 8:30 AM RestoreOKC – 2222 NE 27th Street, Oklahoma City
Start your morning with good coffee and meaningful conversation at RestoreOKC’s Coffee Tour. Over breakfast from Eastside Eatery, guests will hear how the organization is working across housing, education, food access, and employment to strengthen Northeast Oklahoma City.
Monday, November 24 | 5 PM Boys & Girls Club, 3806 N. Prospect Ave, OKC
Gather with neighbors for a free community dinner hosted by We, the Eastside, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County. This event celebrates connection, collaboration, and the people shaping the future of Northeast OKC. Come share a meal, meet community leaders, and get involved.
Palomar is hosting a volunteer night on Wednesday, November 19 from 6:00–7:30 PM and is inviting community members to help support families and individuals served through their programs. Bring friends or family and lend a hand at this service-focused event.
The Verge and OKC Tech+ are teaming up for an afternoon of founder energy, networking, and community building. Hear from guest speaker Luis Caballero, CEO and founder of Muse, and connect with local innovators over pizza and conversation. Whether you’re pitching or listening in, this is one of the most active startup meetups in the city.
Global Entrepreneurship Week brings Oklahoma’s startup ecosystem into full view. Communities across the state are rolling out workshops, panels, roundtables, meetups, and celebrations designed to showcase the founders and innovators shaping Oklahoma’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Explore the day-by-day lineup, register for events in the city, and plug into the statewide network shaping the future of innovation. Share your photos using #GEW2025 and #GEWOklahoma to join the statewide conversation.
The Oklahoma City Community Foundation has opened applications for the 2026–2027 scholarship season, offering more than 200 opportunities and over $5 million in awards for Oklahoma students. Scholarships range from $2,000 to $20,000, with options for high school seniors, college students, adult learners, and career training.
The universal application is open now, with deadlines beginning December 3 and a major deadline on February 15, 2026. Apply at scholarships.occf.org.
The STEM Next Opportunity Fund invites educators to join the Community in Nature Prize Challenge, a nationwide call for afterschool leaders to engage youth in hands-on projects that benefit both people and nature. Applicants can earn up to $3,500 in funding to support their programs. Apply by November 25 and help young innovators make a real-world impact.
Allied Arts is now accepting applications for its Educational Outreach and Capacity-Building grants, supporting arts programming, creative learning, and nonprofit growth across the community. These grants help organizations expand access to the arts and strengthen the impact of their work.
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