Ten small companies with Latin American roots have relocated to Tulsa in the last 18 months, intending to build out their startups in America from Oklahoma.
They were recruited through Latam to Tulsa, which is a program of the George Kaiser Family Foundation.
The effort identifies promising startups in South America and encourages executives to relocate the company to Tulsa, promising a “soft landing”—with support in securing visas, finding housing, transportation and enrolling children in school. They say the goal is to create jobs in Tulsa.
Companies like Argentinian-based “green chemistry” startup Bioeutectics had five minutes to make a pitch before venture capital sources from 18 cities in 8 countries.
Tomas Silicaro, a founder of the company, said his company had secured $4 million upon moving to Tulsa, and was hoping for more investment through the Demo Day, to increase production of a natural solvent used in pharmaceuticals. He said three executives and their families moved with the company.
“And we had been offered to move to New York or San Francisco. We chose Tulsa for several reasons, some strategic for the business, but as well strategic for me and my family, and their families. That makes this place amazing to live in and very comfortable, family-friendly,” he said.
The companies taking part in the latest round, and their origin countries are:
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