OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) — Right to Start and More Perfect praised Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Executive Order 2026‑04, which establishes an executive‑level Chief Entrepreneurial Officer and directs actions aimed at making Oklahoma more “startup friendly.” Stitt signed the order Jan. 29, creating the post and instructing agencies to streamline permitting, launch a one‑stop entrepreneur portal, reduce new business filing fees to $1, explore early‑stage tax relief, open more state contracting to young firms, expand entrepreneurial education, and strengthen performance metrics tied to new business formation.
The commendation arrives as Stitt chairs the National Governors Association and leads the 2025–2026 NGA Chair’s Initiative, “Reigniting the American Dream,” with a focus on entrepreneurship. OBV previously reported the order’s timelines for agencies to deliver entrepreneurship‑related reports to legislative leaders within 120 days, setting up possible legislative action this session.
Right to Start’s founder said the move sets a national marker and elevates entrepreneurship inside state government.
“With his groundbreaking Executive Order, Governor Stitt has achieved a historic milestone for entrepreneurship in America,” said Victor W. Hwang, Founder & CEO of Right to Start and Co‑Chair of “America the Entrepreneurial.” “Oklahoma becomes the first state with an executive‑level Chief Entrepreneurial Officer, reporting directly to the Governor, to augment an agenda for advancing entrepreneurship statewide.”
Leaders at More Perfect framed it as a timely step to revive the American Dream and inspire new enterprise creation.
“At a time when Americans are worried that the American Dream is fading, Governor Stitt is leading the way in helping people translate their talents into new enterprises,” said John Bridgeland, Founder & CEO of More Perfect and Co‑Chair of “America the Entrepreneurial.” “There is no better way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary of its birth as a startup nation than to ignite generations of entrepreneurs that will innovate to a brighter future.”
Stitt cast the order as a signal of Oklahoma’s long‑term commitment to founders and a model for other states.
“This executive order demonstrates Oklahoma’s commitment to advancing entrepreneurship,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “It’s more important than ever that we make it possible to keep the legacy of the American Dream alive, and we’re proud to set an example for other states. We must fully support Americans who want to start and grow new businesses.”
