Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is a key driver of Ada’s economic vitality, fostering innovation, business creation, and long-term job growth. In 2021, our organization was awarded the Build to Scale grant, recognizing our efforts to strengthen the local entrepreneurship ecosystem and expand access to resources for startups and small businesses.

Through this work, we support entrepreneurs at every stage of development by hosting monthly workshops, offering one-on-one meetings, and providing practical guidance on starting and growing a business. We also host an annual Pitch Competition that gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their ideas, gain valuable feedback, and compete for resources that support early-stage growth.

Our efforts are strengthened through partnerships with East Central University (ECU), the Center on Rural Innovation, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma (REI). Together, we are focused on reducing barriers to entrepreneurship, increasing access to capital and expertise, and building a supportive environment where businesses can start, grow, and succeed in Ada.