Rural Innovation lives here.
Bringing to life the biggest innovations and brightest ideas rural Oklahomans have to offer.
With two distinct innovation pipelines, intensive business curriculum, hands-on mentorship and Oklahoma’s world-class business development ecosystem, we are proud to elevate and inspire local innovation to support rural communities.
Who we are
The Oklahoma Grassroots Rural & Ag Business Accelerators program is a collaborative rural development initiative from Oklahoma Farm Bureau along with national and state-level partners that develops Oklahoma-based innovators creating ideas, technologies and products creating economic opportunities in rural Oklahoma.
Our programs
The accelerators program is comprised of two tracks to help spur agricultural innovation and rural innovation development for companies and ventures based in communities with a population of 50,000 or less. Equity investment pitch opportunities are available for graduates of our two tracks.
Oklahoma-based innovators and businesses can apply to participate in either track, and successful applicants will become part of the pipeline cohort that best suits their innovation. Each track includes a multi-day hybrid development session for cohort members, followed by additional programming.
Innovation pipelines
The accelerators program offers two innovation pipelines to fit the needs of rural Oklahoma businesses. Our Activate Oklahoma pipeline helps rural innovators with an innovation or idea in any industry or space. AgCelerate Oklahoma focuses on innovations that have an on-farm or production agriculture application.
Business training
Both pipelines connect rural innovators with Oklahoma’s world-class business development curriculum provided by our seasoned program partners. With cutting-edge resources, rural innovators can gain an edge as they bring their ideas, innovations and products to life.
Personal mentorship
The accelerators program provides mentorship-based coaching, connecting cohort members with innovators across our state who are walking through their own innovation journey and who can lend valuable expertise, advice and help.
Our Pipelines
AgCelerate Oklahoma
Accelerating ideas that grow
AgCelerate Oklahoma, a pre-accelerator, provides an agriculture-focused curriculum to bring innovations that have on-farm applications to reality through a farmer innovation model.
From supporting transformative ideas and technologies through collaboration with a network of farmers to preparing innovators for the national AgLaunch365 accelerator, AgCelerate Oklahoma brings the next generation of agricultural innovation to life.
Activate Oklahoma
Accelerating hometown innovation
Activate Oklahoma combines an innovation bootcamp, pre-accelerator and business accelerator to connect rural entrepreneurs and innovators with resources from Oklahoma’s world-class business development community to build an even brighter future for rural Oklahoma.
With roots in rural Oklahoma and a mission to help innovators reach new heights, Activate Oklahoma helps local, hometown visionaries bring their ideas to life all across our state.
Equity investment
When innovators complete the Activate Oklahoma pipeline, they qualify for an opportunity to pitch their innovation, technology or venture at the Activate Oklahoma Demo Day to a collaborative investment committee representing Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Cortado Ventures for a chance to receive equity investment in their enterprise, resulting in official graduation from the program.
Ventures that complete AgCelerate Oklahoma have the opportunity to be selected by a panel of Oklahoma farmers and their peers in the farmer network to participate in the AgLaunch365 accelerator and potentially receive pre-seed stage equity investment. Innovators who are selected to participate in AgLaunch365 and successfully graduate the program pitch their market-ready concepts to a committee of investment partners who evaluate the pitches and could offer equity investment in ventures that both meet the program’s mission and have marketplace viability. AgCelerate Oklahoma participants who join our Activate Oklahoma pipeline will have the opportunity to pitch their idea or innovation at our Activate Oklahoma Demo Day.
Together with our program and investment partners, the Oklahoma Grassroots Rural & Ag Business Accelerators program is giving Oklahoma’s best and brightest the boost they need to change our world – starting right here in rural Oklahoma.
Our Partners
Applying for the program
Applications are currently closed
Applications are currently closed. Please check back at a later date for upcoming application windows.
Sign up to be notified about upcoming application openings
If you would like to be contacted by email when the next round of Oklahoma Grassroots Rural & Ag Business Accelerator applications are available, please complete the form to the right, and we will email interested innovators when the next application process begins.
Who should apply
The Oklahoma Grassroots Rural & Ag Business Accelerators program accepts businesses with operations, investment or impact in Oklahoma. Businesses and innovators should be based in a community with a population of 50,000 or less to qualify for either track.
The AgCelerate Oklahoma pipeline helps bring agricultural innovation to life. Innovations and technologies in this pipeline have an on-farm or production agriculture implementation that enhances agriculture.
The Activate Oklahoma pipeline works with businesses and entrepreneurs that have an innovation or technology with a business location or focus in rural Oklahoma.
Program cost
There is no cost for successful applicants to participate in either the AgCelerate Oklahoma or Activate Oklahoma pipelines. Travel, lodging and other costs must be paid by participants for their involvement, and any product or innovation development costs resulting from participation in either track is the responsibility of program participants.
Time commitment
Successful applicants are required to attend the hybrid cohort training for their specific track. Some trainings will be held in Oklahoma City or El Reno with in-person attendance, while other trainings will be live-streamed for cohort members’ remote participation. See the important program dates below for specific program commitments.
Important 2024 program dates
Curious about the timing of our AgCelerate Oklahoma and Activate Oklahoma programs? Check out our most recent program schedule listed here. Upcoming schedules will be posted as they are available.
Additional programming will be provided after the initial cohort meetings. AgCelerate Oklahoma programming will conclude by Labor Day. Activate Oklahoma programming is scheduled to conclude in September, subject to change depending on program needs.
Please note: Dates and programming details are subject to change based on program changes and cohort needs. Selected participants will be notified of any changes as they arise.
AgCelerate Oklahoma 2024 notable dates
- Applications Open: January 1
- Applications Close: March 1 at 11:59 p.m.
- Interviews: April 9-10, via Zoom
- Notification of Acceptance: April 11
- Pre-Meetings: April 26; May 3, 10, 17
- Bootcamps: May 21-23
- Subsequent programming to follow
Activate Oklahoma Spring Cohort 2024 notable dates
- Applications Open: January 1
- Applications Close: March 1 at 11:59 p.m.
- Interviews: April 2-3, via Zoom
- Notification of Acceptance: April 4
- Pre-Meetings: April 12, 19, 26
- Bootcamps: April 29 – May 2
- Subsequent programming to follow
Activate Oklahoma Fall Cohort 2024 notable dates
- Applicant Interviews: August 27-28 (via Zoom)
- Acceptance Notification: August 29
- Pre-Meetings: September 6, 13 and 20
- Bootcamp (tentative date): September 23-26
- Practice Pitch Event (tentative date): September 30
- Customer Discovery Module Begins: October 3
- Subsequent programming to follow
Contact us
Do you have questions about the Oklahoma Grassroots Rural & Ag Business Accelerators program? Use the form to contact Amarie Bartel, Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s rural economic development coordinator
