Joey Wignarajah’s work at 19days is proving that meaningful innovation doesn’t need to be flashy or coastal; it just needs to be real, rooted, and relentlessly focused on the people it serves.
At the intersection of strategic vision, meticulous execution, and genuine empathy stands Joey Wignarajah, the Managing Partner behind Tulsa’s standout venture studio, 19days. Joey’s unconventional path, from private equity to launching a business out of his apartment, has shaped a pragmatic, problem-obsessed approach to innovation. Today, he’s leading 19days, focusing on building scalable, AI-augmented startups rooted in real-world needs.
From Private Equity to Startup Scrappiness
Before stepping into the venture studio world, Joey built his foundation in private equity at Argonaut, managing investments across sectors like energy services, industrials, and manufacturing. There, he honed his expertise in financial analysis, operational problem-solving, and strategic execution.
But despite the success, Joey felt a growing desire to create something more hands-on and meaningful.
That leap came in 2019 when he launched a medical waste management company from his apartment. “I needed to create something that felt genuinely useful,” he reflects. The challenges of building in a cramped space with limited resources taught him the value of focus, humility, and grit, lessons that continue to guide his approach.
A key turning point came when he connected with Jacob Johnson at Gitwit, a Tulsa-based creative agency. That collaboration became the foundation for what would become 19days, a venture studio dedicated to systematically solving validated problems with speed, empathy, and precision.
Empathy at the Core
Joey’s leadership philosophy is built around a rare trait in tech: empathy. His belief is simple but powerful: real innovation doesn’t start with ideas; it starts with problems.
“Innovation starts with finding valuable problems to solve and defining them as narrowly as possible.”
At 19days, this isn’t a platitude; it’s a process. Each venture begins with deep, qualitative research to understand real user pain points. Only after this validation does the team move into prototyping and building. This method helps ensure that the studio isn’t just shipping products; it’s delivering impact.
One standout example is Psynth, a tool designed to reduce the documentation burden for psychologists. It uses artificial intelligence not to replace clinicians but to support them. “AI supports human expertise; it doesn’t replace it,” Joey explains. His approach to AI is grounded and pragmatic and reflects a broader commitment to responsible innovation.
Team Dynamics That Scale
As much as Joey values strategy, he’s equally focused on people. He often describes himself as an “arbiter of good ideas,” creating an environment where the best thinking rises to the top, regardless of origin.
The 19days leadership team comprising Joey, Jacob Johnson, and Dr. Dan Fisher, brings together a complementary blend of product strategy, customer research, and executional excellence. “Chemistry matters,” Joey says, “but capability alignment might matter even more.”
His leadership style is defined by clarity and collaboration. He empowers his team’s strengths while making decisive calls when needed, creating a culture where speed doesn’t come at the expense of rigor.
Tulsa: A Launchpad for Global Innovation
While most venture studios cluster around Silicon Valley or New York, Joey has made a deliberate bet on Tulsa—and it’s paying off.
“Tulsa is an incredible place to build high-growth software companies.”
“There’s community, talent, and cost-effective infrastructure—all without the noise.”
For Joey, Tulsa isn’t just a base; it’s a strategic asset. He works closely with local institutions, investors, and talent pipelines to grow a tech ecosystem that rivals traditional startup hubs. His goal? Make Tulsa a replicable model of innovation that can inspire other emerging markets.
Global Vision, Local Roots
Though Tulsa-based, 19days builds with global scale in mind. Each venture is crafted to move from local validation to broader markets, proving that world-class innovation doesn’t need a Silicon Valley zip code.
Agentech, for example, is already showing signs of market resonance far beyond Oklahoma. Joey’s vision is to develop a repeatable framework for creating companies that start small, validate fast, and scale meaningfully with empathy, not ego, as the driver.
“We strive local, but our ambitions and impact extend globally.”
Mentorship and Meaningful Impact
Beyond his own ventures, Joey is passionate about mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs. He regularly shares insights on empathetic problem-solving, disciplined experimentation, and human-centered AI.
“You should be experimenting constantly… That’s where the breakthroughs happen,” he advises.
Whether he’s building new tools or empowering young founders, Joey Wignarajah represents a new kind of tech leader who blends operational excellence with emotional intelligence and believes the best companies solve problems that truly matter.