Investment Funding
Cowboy Technologies provides investment into commercially viable OSU and OSU-affiliated, technology-based, high-growth potential startups and OSU internal projects with strong commercial teams. We are OSU’s most aligned investment partner and desire to capitalize on OSU and Oklahoma’s inventive and driven people. Through our early-stage investments and our network of business professionals and investment partners, we aim to diversify the Oklahoma economy and generate economic growth through export sales and high-quality jobs.
Our investment vehicles include:
Cowboy Technologies Investment
For Internal OSU Technology Projects
Cowboy Technologies is making convertible equity investments in internal OSU technology projects with strong commercial potential and strong development teams.
Investment Criteria:
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OSU invention disclosed
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Intellectual property protection plan in place
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Strong technology development team
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Lab bench prototype developed and validated
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Target market customer needs/opportunity initial understanding
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Value proposition of eventual product/service solution initial understanding
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Investment funds used to develop technology towards a minimal viable product or service
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Investment funds deployed to OSU faculty’s internal account
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Investment made as a simple agreement for future equity in a TBD startup
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Investment size typically $5,000 to $50,000
For Startups Licensing OSU Technology
Cowboy Technologies is making pre-seed and seed convertible equity and priced equity investments in Oklahoma-based startups licensing OSU technology.
Investment Criteria:
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Oklahoma-based startups with high growth potential
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Licensed OSU technology
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Startup’s pre-seed and seed rounds having:
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Customer-environment prototype demonstrated
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Target market customer value proposition validated
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High-growth business model and go-to-market plan
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Strong co-founder team and/or advisors that span technology and business aspects
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Funds used to launch product/service to market and gain initial customer traction
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Investment made either as a convertible note or preferred equity
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$50,000 to $150,000 investment
Riata Pre-Seed Fund
For Currently Enrolled OSU Students
The OSU Riata Pre-Seed Fund, sponsored out of the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship in partnership with Brightest Orange Ventures, provides early-stage startup and OSU investment up to $25,000 to support the entrepreneurial aspirations of any currently enrolled OSU student. The Riata Pre-Seed Fund is open for applications three times per year.