About Us | OK Catalyst Programs

Our Team

OK Catalyst is the federal and state designated SBIR/STTR support organization for Oklahoma and two-time recipient of the SBA’s prestigious Tibbetts Award, given to individuals, companies and organizations who exemplify the best-in-class of the SBIR/STTR programs. OK Catalyst is working to reverse Oklahoma’s historically subpar performance in the SBIR/STTR programs. Since 2018, OK Catalyst has trained and mentored researchers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses resulting in 160 SBIR/STTR proposal submissions. To date, OK Catalyst program participants have secured over 100 awards and contracts totaling more than $57 million in investment capital.

Sarah Hamby, MBA

Sarah serves as the Director of OK Catalyst and is dedicated to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship across Oklahoma and the Heartland. Prior to joining OK Catalyst, Sarah served for more than a decade in the U.S. Air Force. Sarah earned her MBA from the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University.

Andrew Aston, MBA

Andrew serves as Program Manager for the TABA Lab and focuses on serving awarded companies through the completion of their Phase I projects and submission of Phase II proposals. Andrew earned his MBA from the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma.

Maya Nkouka, J.D.

Maya serves as Senior Program Manager for the SBIR Funding Labs and oversees day-to-day operations to ensure participant success. Maya earned her J.D. from the Francis King Carey School of Law at the University of Maryland.

Tom Wavering

Tom is the founding Executive Director of the Tom Love Innovation Hub at the University of Oklahoma. He is

is an accomplished researcher,

educator, executive, and ecosystem builder leading

technology from conception to commercialization,

workforce development and business growth.

FAST Partnership

The SBA's Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership is a competitive program designed to strengthen the technological competitiveness of small businesses. It improves the participation of small technology firms in the innovation and commercialization of new technology, thereby helping keep the United States on the cutting edge of research and development in science and technology.

FAST provides funding to organizations to execute state & regional programs that increase the number of SBIR/STTR proposals leading to an increase in the number of SBIR/STTR awards from women, socially/economically disadvantaged individuals, and small businesses in underrepresented areas - typically rural states.

FAST awards build the SBIR/STTR ecosystem through:

Outreach

Increase the pipeline of SBIR/STTR applicants through training and outreach; and build the capacity of partner organizations and individuals to support SBIR/STTR applicants and existing awardees.

Technical and Business Assistance

Support entrepreneurs and startups through programs or services that improve proposal development and team creation; provide assistance that leads to the commercialization of technology developed through SBIR/STTR program funding; and form or encourage relevant mentoring networks to provide business advice and counseling.

Financial Support

Make grants or loans to applicants to pay a portion or all the cost of developing SBIR/STTR proposals (Phase 0), attending relevant conferences, and bridging gaps between phases.