Wednesday May 27 - Friday May 29, 2026

NYU Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

Racial Equity in Technology Entrepreneurship (RETE) Workshop

The Racial Equity in Technology Entrepreneurship (RETE) Workshop is a premier gathering of researchers, thought leaders, and practitioners dedicated to advancing research on the intersection of race, technology, and entrepreneurship, and translating knowledge into actionable strategies that dismantle racial barriers for marginalized innovators.

Our 2026 theme, “Entrepreneuring in Times of Turbulence: Collaborating to Build Community and Equitable Access,” aims to foster dialogue, share cutting-edge research, showcase research-to-practice translation, and inspire collaborative efforts for building resilient and racially equitable technology and entrepreneurial systems during times of uncertainty and systemic change.

We invite scholars, researchers, practitioners, and community leaders to submit abstracts for papers or panels addressing this theme. Selected presenters will be invited to participate in paper presentation sessions at the workshop.

Accepted presenters will receive full accommodations, including:

Round-trip travel to Tulsa, OK

Hotel accommodations for the duration of the workshop

Meals provided throughout the event

We welcome submissions with a focus on (but not limited to) the following topics:

AI & Ethical, Equitable Innovation – Strategies for navigating the assumptions of AI and mitigating bias in high-stakes sectors.
Resilience Amidst Backlash – Frameworks for maintaining equity goals and institutional commitment in the face of anti-DEI policy shifts and emerging systemic threats.
New Capital Horizons – Analyzing investment flows and aligning venture capital preferences to ensure equitable access during times of market turbulence.
Supporting Founder Resilience and Social Capital – Building robust mentorship networks that connect underrepresented founders to high-value industry partnerships and education models that develop psychological and operational resilience.
Strategic Collaboration –Designing cross-sector coalitions between ESOs, local agencies, and national networks to foster community-led innovation.
Research Translation – Showcasing evidence-based case studies that bridge the gap between academic theory and actionable ecosystem impact.

Submission Guidelines for Academic Papers:

Abstract Limit: 500 words maximum

Suggested Abstract Format: (1) Introduction; (2) Methods; (3) Results (if available); (4) Policy Implications

Submission Guidelines for Panels:

Abstract Limit: 750 words maximum

Suggested Abstract Format: (1) A summary of the panel’s topic, main intervention, and its alignment with the conference theme; (2) Names and affiliations of the moderator and 3–4 panelists, and brief summary of each panelist’s contribution

Submission Guidelines for Practitioner Presentations:

Abstract Limit: 500 words maximum

Suggested Format: (1) Topic of presentation; (2) 3-5 sentences indicating issue, challenge, or pattern the presenter will address; (3) Brief overview of experiences giving presenter a “front-row seat” on this issue; (4) Key takeaway(s)

Submission Deadline: March 13, 2026

Decisions: March 27, 2026

Relevant Policies:

Submissions must be original and not previously published in any journal, conference proceedings, or white paper series.
Submissions should be the original works of the author and not primarily generated using any authoring tool, including generative AI or similar technologies. The use of generative AI or similar technologies in the writing process should be disclosed and appropriately cited.
Adherence to ethical research standards is mandatory.

How to Submit:

Visit the submission portal

For questions, contact: Katherine A. Costello at reteworkshop@gmail.com

Submit Your Abstract Here