Cortado Ventures Doubleshot Newsletter: December 2023
Featuring PortCo announcements, Thank you Interns, Ecosystem Highlights and much more...
In this month’s Doubleshot Newsletter, you will find:
Builder Highlight: Lightship Foundation
Team Highlight: Fall 2023 Interns
PortCo News
Cortado News
Ecosystem News & Events
Builder Highlight: Lightship Foundation
As an impact-driven organization serving remarkable entrepreneurs & ecosystems, Lightship Foundation focuses to bridge the gap between high-growth startups and entrepreneurs through talent development, effective programming, and capital investments. The Ohio-founded organization has expanded its programs across 5 states, including Ohio, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin and Oklahoma. Its Tulsa programs include Workflow Wednesdays, Bootcamp and an accelerator as a part of its Midwest focus. Read more.
Team Highlight: Thank you to Fall 2023 Interns
Charles Rule
“Taking on the role as an investment intern at Cortado Ventures has had a profound impact on both my personal and professional pursuits. To begin with benefits to my personal pursuits in life, an internship at Cortado Ventures has allowed me to make substantial improvements towards my communication and listening within a group of people all working toward the same goal. My role as the investment intern at Cortado Ventures has equipped me with many useful skills, all of which have assisted in making significant strides in my personal and professional pursuits.”
Chandler Coleman
“In my role as the platform intern, I've been fortunate to explore novel realms, gaining fresh perspectives and seizing new opportunities. Transitioning from a background in sports and nonprofits and diving into venture capital and entrepreneurship has proven to be a rewarding journey. My exposure to diverse experiences has expanded my understanding and skill set. I express sincere gratitude to Cortado for shaping and refining my abilities and facilitating this dynamic learning adventure. Each encounter has contributed to my growth, and I look to use my new knowledge in my future opportunities after my graduation this month.”
Thank you to Chandler and Charles for your contributions to Cortado and our portfolio companies. We wish you well on your next endeavors! Our internship program is supported in part by Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST), a driving force behind innovation and technological-based advancement. Thanks to OCAST's funding and support, we're shaping a brighter future and making a significant impact in Oklahoma.
Portco News
Senslytics Forges Strategic Partnership
We're excited to share that one of portcos, Senslytics, has announced its partnerships with GeoMark Research aimed at revolutionizing the landscape of science-backed decision-making in the upstream energy industry. Read more.
Why We Invested: Payfactory
Our Principal Susan Moring sits one-on-one with Ruston Miles, founder of Payfactory as he shares his insights on the advancement of Embedded Payments serving ISVs and SaaS providers. Read more on this insightful conversation.
Myri Health Releases Podcast
Myri Health, a standout in our portfolio at Cortado Ventures, released its podcast. Stay tuned for insightful conversations and valuable health insights. Don't miss out – See more episodes!
MITO wins ACE Award
Congratulations to MITO Material Solutions on clinching the ACE Award at CAMX 2023! This award-winning accomplishment will revolutionize products and set new benchmarks.
Cortado News
Regent Capital Corp Partners with Cortado Ventures
Cortado Ventures is thrilled to announce our most recent investment and partnership with Regent Bank. This collaboration paves the way for the Midcontinent region and Oklahoma to foster a “rapidly maturing startup ecosystem and venture capital environment, featuring non-traditional VC investors such as bank holding companies,” shared our managing partner Nathaniel Harding. "We’re excited to welcome Regent Capital Corp as an institutional limited partner." Read more on this partnership.
Venture Capital Case Competition at Univ. of Oklahoma
What an outstanding event! Cortado collaborated with Crimson Prairie Ventures at the University of Oklahoma to host a pitch competition, providing students with the opportunity to broaden their venture capital knowledge. Participants pitched mock decks, enhancing their practical knowledge. Read more.
Harding Featured on Oklahoma Venture Forum Panel
Managing Partner Nathaniel Harding will discuss Small Business Incentive Funding on the Lunch Panel Discussion hosted by the Oklahoma Venture Forum on December 13th with Boyd Street Ventures Managing Partner James Spann, Jr. Register here.
Ecosystem Events & News
Fall 2023 Cohort's new rollout
Fall 2023 Cohort's new rollout includes five companies selected for gBETA OKC, a program ran by national venture capital firm, gener8tor. These companies will benefit from coaching and networking opportunities to create pathways for success. Congratulations to these great startups!
OKC Innovation District's Cocktails & Collaboration
Indulge in a night of inspiration and connection at OKC Innovation District's Cocktails & Collaboration. Join our friends Tuesday, Dec. 12th from 5:30-6:30 PM. Find more information here.
2023 Innovation Ecosystem Summit
This week: December 13th-14th! Join the U.S. Small Business Administration's Innovation Ecosystem Summit, uniting organizations for a collaborative push towards a thriving national innovation ecosystem. Together, let's ensure equitable access to capital and resources for innovators nationwide. Register Here.
From our community to yours, we wish you a very happy holidays!
About Cortado Ventures
Cortado Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in ambitious, growth-driven companies, backing a new generation of economic prosperity for Oklahoma and the Midcontinent region, defined as Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico. As one of the largest VC funds in Oklahoma, Cortado's focus is on tech companies bringing innovative solutions to the energy and logistics, life sciences, and the future of work. For more information, visit cortado.ventures.