About CETES

The Center for Emerging Technology & Entrepreneurial Studies (CETES) is a consolidated economic development venture that operates out of Cameron University to promote the creation and growth of technology-based companies, create skilled employment opportunities, and prepare people to be effective contributors to the 21st century economy of Southwest Oklahoma.

Brief History

In response to the mandate of the Economic Development Generating Excellence (EDGE) study, and in order to advance economic development in the region, Cameron established a Center for Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies. CETES is a multipurpose, multidiscipline center with fully integrated facilities, programs and support services to both client companies and to the existing regional cluster of software, multimedia and simulation companies.

Key Functions Of CETES

The key functions of CETES include:

• Growing and nurturing emerging technology companies in a state of the art technology incubator, providing a structure that assists the companies with technological support, angel and venture capital networking, and developing vital entrepreneurial skills so necessary to success.
• Assisting in efforts to support the viability and expansion of technology-based military missions at Fort Sill and Altus Air Force Base. The long-standing partnership between Cameron and the area's military facilities has resulted in the formation of new technology companies and a highly educated and skilled workforce. CETES has provided a stronger role in this dynamic partnership with the development of its complex.
• Creating a viable 21st Century workforce skilled to work with and invent the technologies so critical to the future of this region. The integrated CETES experience attracts students and create the critical mass of skilled workers that is the essential ingredient for developing or locating high performance companies in a community.
• Providing a catalyst and center point for Regional Economic Development activities in Southwest Oklahoma, consistent with higher education's activist role in the implementation of EDGE initiatives.

Important Highlights

CETES connects innovative academic programs with economic development expertise to build new industries and create jobs for Oklahomans. CETES focuses on forming new companies with its business incubator program as well as providing services to existing companies through strategic consulting. The Center also participates in critical economic development partnerships to grow Oklahoma's economy. Within the past year, the Center has achieved the following:

• Completion of CETES Conference Center
• Providied Web 2.0 Training workshops
• Hosted a very successful robotics camp for area high school students
• Created a business board consisting of community business leaders and military personnel
• Consulted services in growth strategies recognized by regional companies
• Partnered with OSU for a NSF grant proposal on Partnership for Innovation
• Obtained $10,000 in funding for student internships with business
• Actively involved with Southwest Oklahoma Impact Coalition and South Central Oklahoma Workforce Investment Board
• Partnered with REI, Northside Chamber, and Great Plains Technology Center to offer training and seminars
• Partnered with Oklahoma Manufacturers Alliance to assist businesses with growth strategies in challenging times

Grants Received/Obtained

The following list consists of the major grants received/obtained by CETES over the past year:

• $100,000 grant to develop a Growth Strategies program to assist local businesses expand
• $25,000 grant from FHL bank to assist entrepreneurs conduct market research
• Partnered with Great Plains Technology Center and Lawton Chamber of Commerce to obtain a $100,000 federal grant to conduct a study on local business needs related to BRAC
• $900,000 from the Economic Development Administration to add a new wing (CETES Conference Center)
• $1.5 million in funding to augment the EDA money to complete the new wing at CETES voted by the citizens of Lawton
• $130,000 grant to help encourage local entrepreneurship
• $150,000 grant for Cameron University's Agriculture Department to study the transformation of mesquite to ethanol
• Contributed to a grant proposal that obtains $100,000 for the Southwest Oklahoma Impact Coalition to fund Advanced Manufacturing
• Contributed to a grant proposal that brings $2.5 million to soutwest Oklahoma with workforce development related to BRAC
• $10,000 funding for promoting student internships with businesses
• $5,000 as donation from regional company in appreciation of work done