Top 9 Angel Investors and VC Firms in Oklahoma City (2026)
Have you ever wondered how Oklahoma City has quickly become one of the giant hubs for startups?
Well, the credit goes to the city's angel investors, who have emerged as pivotal figures in boosting startup success. These visionaries not only provide the required funding but also provide mentorship and invaluable expertise, propelling startups with groundbreaking ideas.
This guide covers the city's most active angel investors, angel networks, and VC firms, from individual angels like Roy Wilkens and Mathew Brainerd, to networks like i2E and SeedStep Angels, to VC firms like Cortado Ventures and Plains Venture Partners, along with what they invest in and how to reach them.
So, let's not wait any longer and quickly move on to the list of top angel investors and VC firms in Oklahoma City.
Top 9 Angel Investors and VC Firms in Oklahoma City
Before we move onto the list of the top angel investors and VC firms in Oklahoma City, it is important to remember that not all investors work on identical criteria. While some may like to invest in seed stage startups, others may think differently.
That is why I have prepared this list of the top angel investors and VC firms in Oklahoma City to help individuals and entrepreneurs find investors with similar interests.
i2E
- Investor Type: Government Office, Venture Capital
- Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture, Seed
i2E (Innovation to Enterprise) has been one of the biggest angel investing networks in Oklahoma City's startup landscape since 1998. This private, not-for-profit corporation focuses on technology-based entrepreneurs and companies, particularly those in their early stages. With a commitment to boosting innovation, i2E invests in ventures with strong growth and disruption potential.
Their screening process tends to be harder than others, as they seek out startups with promising ideas. Through i2E's affiliated angel investor network, SeedStep Angels, members typically invest between $50,000 and $500,000 per company.
Cortado Ventures
- Investor Type: Venture Capital
- Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture
Being one of the more recent additions to Oklahoma City's investing scene, Cortado Ventures entered the environment in 2020. The firm focuses on early-stage, B2B technology companies that are often overlooked, particularly in energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and mobility and logistics.
They believe in digging deep to uncover hidden opportunities that can significantly impact Oklahoma City's startup ecosystem. Cortado Ventures' team is passionate about identifying and investing in promising businesses while adding value to the community.
Their screening process is often tough due to their intent to identify startups with a high success rate and promising ideas. Cortado Ventures typically invests between $100,000 and $750,000 per company.
Plains Venture Partners
- Investor Type: Venture Capital
- Investment Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
Plains Venture Partners is a growth-oriented venture fund specializing in investing in entrepreneurs and technologies. The firm prioritizes startups with a unique plan and the potential to disrupt their markets. In its screening process, Plains carefully evaluates what the startup offers in terms of customer base, innovation, and scalability.
Plains Venture Partners is also known for its commitment to mentoring early-stage companies, pairing capital with guidance to help founders hone their strategies and maximize their potential for long-term success.
Plains Venture Partners typically writes checks between $250,000 and $1 million.
Roy Wilkens
- Investor Type: Individual/Angel
- Investment Stage: Seed
Roy Wilkens, a retired chairman at Adaption Technologies, brings a wealth of experience to the startup ecosystem. His career includes senior roles at McLeodUSA and WilTel, the fiber optic company he helped launch in the 1980s.
As an angel investor, Roy Wilkens likes to invest in startups related to tech and telecommunications, offering guidance based on his industry wisdom.
Mathew Brainerd
- Investor Type: Individual/Angel
- Investment Stage: Seed
As an individual angel investor, Mathew Brainerd likes to invest in startups related to the chemical industry. As Brainerd Chemical Co.'s CEO, Mathew Brainerd knows which startups to invest in and what to avoid.
His investments often align with his chemical industry background, providing startups with financial backing and valuable insights into chemical-related fields.
This alignment between his expertise and investments ensures that the startups he supports gain capital and industry-specific guidance, contributing to Oklahoma's growth in chemical and related sectors.
Echo Investment Capital
- Investor Type: Private Equity Firm, Venture Capital
- Investment Stage: Early Stage Venture, Private Equity
Founded in 2010 by Christian Kanady, Echo Investment Capital is a multi-strategy investment firm headquartered in downtown Oklahoma City. Echo's investments span energy, life sciences, national security, media and entertainment, and real estate, with notable local investments including Wheeler Bio and Oklahoma City's professional soccer club.
Echo aims to identify companies and projects that align with its "Connective Capital" philosophy of pairing overlooked domestic resources with world-class founders and capital, then supports them with strategic and operational involvement.
Phil Jones
- Investor Type: Individual/Angel
Phil Jones is an individual angel investor contributing to Oklahoma City's startup ecosystem. His investments span various sectors, showcasing a multi-sector approach.
Phil has a simple philosophy when it comes to investing: he looks for startups that have the potential to solve real problems and make an impact in people's lives. He also looks for teams of passionate founders who have created something unique and innovative.
The size of Phil Jones' investment depends on the specific startup and its field.
Cowboy Technology Angels
- Investor Type: Angel Group
- Investment Stage: Seed, Early Stage Venture
Cowboy Technology Angels is an Oklahoma City-based angel network made up of Oklahoma State University alumni and friends of the university, founded in 2013. Each member is an accredited investor who self-selects investments, with capital pooled through the group's investment vehicle.
The group has invested in companies including Vigilant Aerospace Systems, GroundMetrics, Infinite Composites, and tapNpay, with a particular affinity for energy, aerospace, and hardware startups.
SeedStep Angels
- Investor Type: Angel Group
- Investment Stage: Seed, Early Stage Venture
SeedStep Angels is a network of accredited investors managed by i2E, with chapters in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Ardmore. Members provide capital, strategic advice, and mentoring to emerging growth companies, with individual members making their own investment decisions.
The group has invested more than $18.3 million across 56 companies, with typical investments ranging from $50,000 to $500,000.
Wrap Up
With the list of the top angel investors and VC firms in Oklahoma City wrapping up, let's discuss some important tips for individuals trying to apply for investment.
First, it is important to understand the idea and create an effective business plan. Having a well-thought-out pitch deck with information about your company and its products can help boost the chances of getting funding from an angel investor.
Finally, have structured discussions during pitches that include sections such as what problem your product solves and how you're different from the competition. Get a broad understanding of how to pitch to angel investors before appearing for the screening test.
If you're also raising outside Oklahoma City, browse the full list of Oklahoma angel investors and VC firms, or check out our statewide guide to the top angel investors in Oklahoma.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do angel investors in Oklahoma City typically invest?
It varies by investor. Individual angels like Roy Wilkens and Mathew Brainerd typically write smaller checks, angel networks such as SeedStep Angels invest $50,000 to $500,000 per company, and VC firms like Plains Venture Partners invest $250,000 to $1 million.
What industries do Oklahoma City investors focus on?
Oklahoma City's investor base spans technology, life sciences, aerospace, and energy. Cortado Ventures focuses on B2B tech in legacy industries, Echo Investment Capital spans energy and life sciences, and Cowboy Technology Angels favors aerospace and hardware startups.
How do I get in front of Oklahoma City angel investors?
Most Oklahoma City investors review deals through warm introductions or applications on their websites. A strong pitch deck and a clear funding ask are the first steps, and a current investor database helps you find verified contact details before you reach out.
Who are angel investors?
Angel investors are individuals or groups who inject capital into startups in exchange for equity. Beyond funding, they offer expertise, mentorship, and networking, enriching a startup's prospects.
