Devon Fanfair, a 2008 Mechanical Engineering graduate from Rice University, is a seasoned entrepreneur and talent strategist with over 15 years of experience in venture-backed startups. As the Co-Managing Partner of Devland Venture Studios, Devon and his Co-Managing Partner Miles Dotson have realized over $100M in value. Prior to founding Devaland Venture Studios, Devon worked in engineering and human resources roles, reflecting his passion for problem-solving and human connection, which he has leveraged to sculpt executives and drive people development initiatives. With a track record of launching successful companies in consumer goods, manufacturing and deep tech, Devon believes in the power of the studio model for repeatable success. His extensive network of founders and investors has established him as a trusted figure in company building, making him a valuable addition to solving the gap in venture between idea stage to sustained revenue.

01. What are you looking for in startups for the Build in Tulsa Techstars Accelerator?

The Founder. I firmly believe in the founder first. As the irrefutable law of leadership states, it starts with believing in the person behind the vision. What’s their story? What industry did they come from, and what led them to identify and commit to solving this specific problem? I’m looking for founders with the grit and conviction to go all the way.

Resourcefulness. How much has the founder and their team accomplished with limited resources? In today’s world, there are countless tools to create from nothing, and I want to see evidence of that ability. While we can’t control the market, we can control our work ethic and strategic focus—taking steps forward consistently, with or without investment dollars.

Problem-Market Fit. The idea you’re taking to the championship wasn’t your first, and it won’t be your last. That’s expected. The key is whether there’s a genuine, present, and future need for what you’re building—one that extends beyond your immediate network. Are there multiple sectors that need your solution now and predictably in the future?

Traction. I’ll admit, “traction” is a tricky one—it’s the classic chicken-or-egg scenario. Founders need investment to gain traction, but VCs often demand traction before investing. What matters to me is your ability to validate your solution. Did you engage in customer discovery? Did you do something unscalable to test your hypothesis? Show me you’ve taken meaningful steps to prove there’s real potential here.

Coachability. This is critical. If trust is established, can the founder take advice from mentors or advisors with different perspectives? If the advice resonates, can they meaningfully experiment with it? A coachable founder who feels safe to learn and adapt is primed for success.

02. What are some of the biggest learnings from your career and entrepreneurial journey that you bring to being a Techstars MD?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is this: we are human beings first and human doings second, and we must treat and be treated in that order. This foundational truth shapes how I approach leadership, mentorship, and collaboration.

Beyond that, here are three key takeaways from my career journey that I carry with me:

1. Your idea has value—start sharing it. Often, founders hesitate to put their ideas out into the world, but the sooner you share, the sooner you can refine and build something impactful.

2. Commit to daily progress. Do one thing each day to bring you closer to becoming an expert and communicating your solution. Whether that’s a conversation, adding a slide to your pitch deck, or imagining a world transformed by your innovation during a walk in the park. Small, consistent actions compound over time.

3. Say yes to support. When you’ve done the work and built momentum, stop refusing the help of potential partners or angels who believe in you and want to invest.

When you commit to these principles daily, something powerful happens—you build a community of supporters who witness your dedication and progress. Every time they check in with you, they see that you’ve moved the needle, which builds trust and inspires them to contribute in ways that support your journey. Success is never a solo act; it’s about cultivating a shared belief and collective effort.

03. What is your favorite thing about the Tulsa startup scene?

My favorite thing about the Tulsa startup scene is, without a doubt, the community—a place where people are truly committed to helping you achieve your dreams while you help them achieve theirs. Tulsa has an unwavering spirit of mutual support that I haven’t experienced anywhere else in the country. The city stands out as a place where founders can feel validated and supported in nearly every aspect of their journey.

One moment that solidified this for me was in 2021, during the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre. My Venture Studio had the honor of bringing together more than 80 founders for four days of remembrance, reflection, and building toward the next 100 years. That experience was transformative—it made me believe that Tulsa is not just a startup ecosystem; it’s a community where we can begin to close wealth gaps and create generational impact. It’s a place where history, resilience, and innovation converge to inspire meaningful change

04. Describe a situation with a startup founder or team where you felt like you made a difference.

I’ve had the privilege of coaching and advising hundreds of founders, but one moment that stands out was during a weekly session with a founder who seemed disengaged. It was clear they weren’t finding value in discussing their business at that moment. Sensing this, I shifted focus and simply asked, “How are you doing as a person?”

They opened up about a difficult situation: their co-founder and close friend who held a significant percentage of equity on their cap table wasn’t contributing any work to the business but still expected to keep their stake. This dynamic was weighing heavily on the founder.

We spent two hours diving into the issue. Together, we mapped out a full organizational structure on the whiteboard, showing what the company needed to succeed and why every stakeholder’s contributions mattered. From there, we developed a clear and thoughtful plan to communicate with the co-founder, explaining how the company couldn’t move forward unless they either actively contributed or significantly reduced their equity.

The result? The founder successfully navigated the conversation and was able to reclaim over 20% equity for the business. Moments like that remind me why I do this work—it’s not just about strategy or metrics; it’s about empowering founders to make the hard decisions that drive meaningful progress.

05. What does our partner Build in Tulsa bring to the accelerator?

There’s truly no other organization like Build in Tulsa. Every day is uncharted territory for them, as they’re pioneering a 360-degree support system for underestimated founders—guiding them from the idea stage to Series A and beyond. There’s no blueprint for what they’re building, and yet they relentlessly push forward.

Build in Tulsa doesn’t just talk about support; they deliver it. From hosting events and pitch competitions to providing actual funding, housing, and so much more, their impact often extends far beyond what’s visible to the community. They are the center of gravity for Tulsa’s startup ecosystem and an anchor for entrepreneurs seeking a space where they can grow, thrive, and build something meaningful.

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