https://www.spreaker.com/show/oklahoma-venture-forum-podcastenBusinessCopyright Oklahoma Venture Forumhttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/2ba4f5f52877379a97e92d2569ee91f2.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/show/oklahoma-venture-forum-podcastTue, 28 Sep 2021 20:05:02 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumOklahoma Venture Forumfeeds@spreaker.comOVF is a non-profit organization providing entrepreneurs and growing ventures in Oklahoma access to capital and management development through education, networking and other resources. OVF’s membership is a diverse network of venture capital firms,...cleanepisodicOklahoma Venture Forumfeeds@spreaker.comOVF is a non-profit organization providing entrepreneurs and growing ventures in Oklahoma access to capital and management development through education, networking and other resources. OVF’s membership is a diverse network of venture capital firms, private investors, banks, non-bank lenders, attorneys, accountants, business consultants, economic development representatives, universities, incubators and entrepreneurs committed to fostering new and existing business ventures and the commercialization of new ideas and technologies in Oklahoma.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-january-2021
As part of his presentation for the Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch, Robins will highlight the gist of their mission statement and how they educate policy members, members of the legislature, and others, the best way to create an environment for IT and technology in Oklahoma.

“We got organized at the end of this last year, and we’re really kicking things off in January,” said Robins. “We’re going to be doing a coffee and conversation with the Oklahoma legislators, with Oklahoma IT leaders. So I think that’ll be a great thing for investment, the investment community in Oklahoma, for OVF members, for people that are involved with businesses that have an IT innovative component that are either just starting or that are established, that want to network with other companies, but also want to start talking to policymakers about that.”

Robins’ main topic of his presentation will be on the autonomous vehicle side. As president of the consulting company, Solid Foundation Consulting, Robins helps build projects and coalitions around different issues. One of those he got tapped to lead was on behalf of the secretary of transportation, was to head the Oklahoma autonomous vehicle working group. The purpose of the group is to signal to the markets, signal to investments, and signal to people who are interested that Oklahoma is open for business when it comes to autonomous vehicle technology.

An example of the group’s earliest win they had was the issue on truck platooning. Similar to how flocks of birds drift off of each other to converse energy, the state of Oklahoma passed a bill that allowed for that technology with trucks.

Tom Robins, along with Jim Grimsley, will be speaking at the Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. Be sure to register for the online ZOOM event to learn more about how technology is shifting in Oklahoma, ask your questions, and network with entrepreneurs in Oklahoma.

https://ovf.org/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/42816691Wed, 06 Jan 2021 18:37:25 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumWith a background in government and public affairs, Tom Robins is putting his political knowledge to help Oklahoma grow as a Top 10 place for IT. In the fall of 2019, Robins started the OITA, the Oklahoma Innovative Technology Alliance, to give...
As part of his presentation for the Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch, Robins will highlight the gist of their mission statement and how they educate policy members, members of the legislature, and others, the best way to create an environment for IT and technology in Oklahoma.

“We got organized at the end of this last year, and we’re really kicking things off in January,” said Robins. “We’re going to be doing a coffee and conversation with the Oklahoma legislators, with Oklahoma IT leaders. So I think that’ll be a great thing for investment, the investment community in Oklahoma, for OVF members, for people that are involved with businesses that have an IT innovative component that are either just starting or that are established, that want to network with other companies, but also want to start talking to policymakers about that.”

Robins’ main topic of his presentation will be on the autonomous vehicle side. As president of the consulting company, Solid Foundation Consulting, Robins helps build projects and coalitions around different issues. One of those he got tapped to lead was on behalf of the secretary of transportation, was to head the Oklahoma autonomous vehicle working group. The purpose of the group is to signal to the markets, signal to investments, and signal to people who are interested that Oklahoma is open for business when it comes to autonomous vehicle technology.

An example of the group’s earliest win they had was the issue on truck platooning. Similar to how flocks of birds drift off of each other to converse energy, the state of Oklahoma passed a bill that allowed for that technology with trucks.

Tom Robins, along with Jim Grimsley, will be speaking at the Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. Be sure to register for the online ZOOM event to learn more about how technology is shifting in Oklahoma, ask your questions, and network with entrepreneurs in Oklahoma.

https://ovf.org/]]>1824technology,capital,venture,oklahoma,vehicles,autonomous,ovfcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumWith a background in government and public affairs, Tom Robins is putting his political knowledge to help Oklahoma grow as a Top 10 place for IT. In the fall of 2019, Robins started the OITA, the Oklahoma Innovative Technology Alliance, to give Oklahoma IT companies a voice in the public policy process. As part of his presentation for the Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch, Robins will highlight the gist of their mission statement and how they educate policy members, members of the legislature, and others, the best way to create an environment for IT and technology in Oklahoma. “We got organized at the end of this last year, and we’re really kicking things off in January,” said Robins. “We’re going to be doing a coffee and conversation with the Oklahoma legislators, with Oklahoma IT leaders. So I think that’ll be a great thing for investment, the investment community in Oklahoma, for OVF members, for people that are involved with businesses that have an IT innovative component that are either just starting or that are established, that want to network with other companies, but also want to start talking to policymakers about that.” Robins’ main topic of his presentation will be on the autonomous vehicle side. As president of the consulting company, Solid Foundation Consulting, Robins helps build projects and coalitions around different issues. One of those he got tapped to lead was on behalf of the secretary of transportation, was to head the Oklahoma autonomous vehicle working group. The purpose of the group is to signal to the markets, signal to investments, and signal to people who are interested that Oklahoma is open for business when it comes to autonomous vehicle technology. An example of the group’s earliest win they had was the issue on truck platooning. Similar to how flocks of birds drift off of each other to converse energy, the state of Oklahoma passed a bill that allowed for that technology with trucks. Tom Robins, along with Jim Grimsley, will be speaking at the Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. Be sure to register for the online ZOOM event to learn more about how technology is shifting in Oklahoma, ask your questions, and network with entrepreneurs in Oklahoma. https://ovf.org/Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/stacey-eads
For Eads’ presentation for December’s OVF power lunch, she will teach a tool that helps expedite decision-making processes during stressful times, especially with all of the pandemic’s pivots. The OODA Loop, which stands for Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act, has helped her clientele make better designs during moments of fight or flight.

Eads said one of the things she loves about the tool is that the first step is to make sure that you observe that you’re observing facts only. She explained that when people are in a crisis mode, their emotions are at play or there is competing information, and they’re unsure which way to go.

Stacy Eads will be speaking at the Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Be sure to register for the online ZOOM event to learn more about OODA, ask your questions, and network with entrepreneurs in Oklahoma.

“Many of them might’ve even heard of the OODA loop before, but maybe they have not put it into the perspective of how to use the OODA loop within the year 2020, and within the type of anxiety that CEOs are having these days,” Eads said. “The types of pivots that they’re making during this pandemic. So I’m excited to take an old concept that’s been around for decades and maybe breathe in some new life into what the year 2020 has to offer.”

OVF.org]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/42267473Tue, 01 Dec 2020 22:38:39 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumBefore becoming an International Business Coach, Stacy Eads had been the CEO of a Norman technology company for over a decade when she fell in love with the book, Scaling Up by Verne Harnish. For Eads’ presentation for December’s OVF power lunch, she...
For Eads’ presentation for December’s OVF power lunch, she will teach a tool that helps expedite decision-making processes during stressful times, especially with all of the pandemic’s pivots. The OODA Loop, which stands for Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act, has helped her clientele make better designs during moments of fight or flight.

Eads said one of the things she loves about the tool is that the first step is to make sure that you observe that you’re observing facts only. She explained that when people are in a crisis mode, their emotions are at play or there is competing information, and they’re unsure which way to go.

Stacy Eads will be speaking at the Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Be sure to register for the online ZOOM event to learn more about OODA, ask your questions, and network with entrepreneurs in Oklahoma.

“Many of them might’ve even heard of the OODA loop before, but maybe they have not put it into the perspective of how to use the OODA loop within the year 2020, and within the type of anxiety that CEOs are having these days,” Eads said. “The types of pivots that they’re making during this pandemic. So I’m excited to take an old concept that’s been around for decades and maybe breathe in some new life into what the year 2020 has to offer.”

OVF.org]]>1256business,capital,strategy,oklahoma,ovfcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumBefore becoming an International Business Coach, Stacy Eads had been the CEO of a Norman technology company for over a decade when she fell in love with the book, Scaling Up by Verne Harnish. For Eads’ presentation for December’s OVF power lunch, she will teach a tool that helps expedite decision-making processes during stressful times, especially with all of the pandemic’s pivots. The OODA Loop, which stands for Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act, has helped her clientele make better designs during moments of fight or flight. Eads said one of the things she loves about the tool is that the first step is to make sure that you observe that you’re observing facts only. She explained that when people are in a crisis mode, their emotions are at play or there is competing information, and they’re unsure which way to go. Stacy Eads will be speaking at the Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Be sure to register for the online ZOOM event to learn more about OODA, ask your questions, and network with entrepreneurs in Oklahoma. “Many of them might’ve even heard of the OODA loop before, but maybe they have not put it into the perspective of how to use the OODA loop within the year 2020, and within the type of anxiety that CEOs are having these days,” Eads said. “The types of pivots that they’re making during this pandemic. So I’m excited to take an old concept that’s been around for decades and maybe breathe in some new life into what the year 2020 has to offer.” OVF.orgNohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-lisa-mullen-ceo-drov-tech
"As the trailer's loaded, it calculates the optimal tire pressure and adjust accordingly," explained Lisa Mullen, . "Then, in that same box, we have set an IoT gateway that will connect to sensor capabilities around the trailer. Everything from the door lock, GPS, accelerometer, refrigeration, temperature, wheel-end temperature, light out detection, camera, cargo sensing capabilities, just to name a few of the initial feature sets."

The benefits of the system include safety and financial ROI. There are fuel efficiency savings that come with standard tire inflation and management. In terms of safety, having correctly inflated and managed tires will prevent critical issues such as blowouts or leaks that lead to that.

"Our system can detect not only typical leaks like when you roll over something, but we can get down to valve stem leaks," Mullen said. "And diagnose situations that could ultimately, if left undiagnosed, become bigger problems for the fleet."

In addition to leak issues, AirBoxOne can diagnose if bearings are heating up or if the temperature on wheel ends are getting to a critical level and prevent wheel end fires. The system can alert the driver and the fleet of those issues to avoid situations that might occur if it gets to a critical level.

Mullen's involvement with Drōv Technologies started when a group of investors and business partners bought the company when it was just a mechanical tire inflation product. During evaluations, they made the bold decision to take all of the previous products off the market and re-engineer the wheel-end componentry.

"While we did that, we took a look at the market and said, 'There's all this money going into technology and the truck, and there's no technology or very little going into the trailer,'" Mullen said. "In addition to that, we had the notion of inflating and deflating on load, but we had a prototype we hadn't flushed that out. With what was not happening in the market for the trailer side but what was happening on the truck, we thought let's make this more of a technology solution. We've spent the last few years building out a comprehensive technology solution that can lead the trailer industry from now into the future."

Mullen is excited about Drōv's position to continue developing the future of trailer technology.

Lisa Mullen will be speaking at the Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. Be sure to register below for the online ZOOM event to learn more about DROV, ask your questions, and connect with other entrepreneurs in Oklahoma. https://ovf.org/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/41799153Wed, 04 Nov 2020 22:14:55 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumAs a smart truck and trailer movement leader, Drōv Technologies enables intelligent and safe technology in the transportation industry. They're developing the AirBoxOne, which controls tire inflation and deflation on the trailer dynamically based on...
"As the trailer's loaded, it calculates the optimal tire pressure and adjust accordingly," explained Lisa Mullen, . "Then, in that same box, we have set an IoT gateway that will connect to sensor capabilities around the trailer. Everything from the door lock, GPS, accelerometer, refrigeration, temperature, wheel-end temperature, light out detection, camera, cargo sensing capabilities, just to name a few of the initial feature sets."

The benefits of the system include safety and financial ROI. There are fuel efficiency savings that come with standard tire inflation and management. In terms of safety, having correctly inflated and managed tires will prevent critical issues such as blowouts or leaks that lead to that.

"Our system can detect not only typical leaks like when you roll over something, but we can get down to valve stem leaks," Mullen said. "And diagnose situations that could ultimately, if left undiagnosed, become bigger problems for the fleet."

In addition to leak issues, AirBoxOne can diagnose if bearings are heating up or if the temperature on wheel ends are getting to a critical level and prevent wheel end fires. The system can alert the driver and the fleet of those issues to avoid situations that might occur if it gets to a critical level.

Mullen's involvement with Drōv Technologies started when a group of investors and business partners bought the company when it was just a mechanical tire inflation product. During evaluations, they made the bold decision to take all of the previous products off the market and re-engineer the wheel-end componentry.

"While we did that, we took a look at the market and said, 'There's all this money going into technology and the truck, and there's no technology or very little going into the trailer,'" Mullen said. "In addition to that, we had the notion of inflating and deflating on load, but we had a prototype we hadn't flushed that out. With what was not happening in the market for the trailer side but what was happening on the truck, we thought let's make this more of a technology solution. We've spent the last few years building out a comprehensive technology solution that can lead the trailer industry from now into the future."

Mullen is excited about Drōv's position to continue developing the future of trailer technology.

Lisa Mullen will be speaking at the Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. Be sure to register below for the online ZOOM event to learn more about DROV, ask your questions, and connect with other entrepreneurs in Oklahoma. https://ovf.org/]]>872business,capital,venture,oklahoma,transportation,iotcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumAs a smart truck and trailer movement leader, Drōv Technologies enables intelligent and safe technology in the transportation industry. They're developing the AirBoxOne, which controls tire inflation and deflation on the trailer dynamically based on the vehicle's load. "As the trailer's loaded, it calculates the optimal tire pressure and adjust accordingly," explained Lisa Mullen, . "Then, in that same box, we have set an IoT gateway that will connect to sensor capabilities around the trailer. Everything from the door lock, GPS, accelerometer, refrigeration, temperature, wheel-end temperature, light out detection, camera, cargo sensing capabilities, just to name a few of the initial feature sets." The benefits of the system include safety and financial ROI. There are fuel efficiency savings that come with standard tire inflation and management. In terms of safety, having correctly inflated and managed tires will prevent critical issues such as blowouts or leaks that lead to that. "Our system can detect not only typical leaks like when you roll over something, but we can get down to valve stem leaks," Mullen said. "And diagnose situations that could ultimately, if left undiagnosed, become bigger problems for the fleet." In addition to leak issues, AirBoxOne can diagnose if bearings are heating up or if the temperature on wheel ends are getting to a critical level and prevent wheel end fires. The system can alert the driver and the fleet of those issues to avoid situations that might occur if it gets to a critical level. Mullen's involvement with Drōv Technologies started when a group of investors and business partners bought the company when it was just a mechanical tire inflation product. During evaluations, they made the bold decision to take all of the previous products off the market and re-engineer the wheel-end componentry. "While we did that, we took a look at the market and said, 'There's all this money going into technology and the truck, and there's no technology or very little going into the trailer,'" Mullen said. "In addition to that, we had the notion of inflating and deflating on load, but we had a prototype we hadn't flushed that out. With what was not happening in the market for the trailer side but what was happening on the truck, we thought let's make this more of a technology solution. We've spent the last few years building out a comprehensive technology solution that can lead the trailer industry from now into the future." Mullen is excited about Drōv's position to continue developing the future of trailer technology. Lisa Mullen will be speaking at the Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. Be sure to register below for the online ZOOM event to learn more about DROV, ask your questions, and connect with other entrepreneurs in Oklahoma. https://ovf.org/Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-michael-carolina
“We help to get science and technology projects, support those through our grant process and elevate Oklahoma’s science and technology community so that we’re competitive nationally as well as globally,” explained OCAST’s Executive Director, Michael Carolina. “We have some leading-edge researchers and research companies that benefit from OCAST’s grants, and they’re able to attract federal grants as well as private money from the private sector to accelerate research to commercialization or conversion; the conversion of technology to the marketplace.”

With the task to grow and diversify Oklahoma’s economy, Carolina described his job as atypical. Before joining OCAST, he worked in management and executive positions with the Western Electric Company, AT&T and Lucent Technologies. While with AT&T and Lucent Technologies, he was involved in engineering, strategic planning, new product design and introduction, manufacturing, technology transfer, and joint venture operations in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

“I think in Oklahoma, we have an asset base here that’s pretty rich. Again, with our higher education system, with our industrial complex that includes energy and includes aerospace and defense, bio-science, biotechnology, information technology, manufacturing, healthcare,” Carolina said. “The healthcare industry is growing, and so I think there are a lot of things that we can point to that are strengths in a global economy.”

One example of OCAST’s success stories, which Carolina plans to discuss during his presentation for OVF, is the work of Craig Shimasaki at Moleculera Labs.

“[Moleculera Labs] is doing some work now on the impact of COVID or the correlation of COVID and brain health and mental health,” Carolina said. “That’s a real success story. Craig Shimasaki was able to take an OCAST grant and leverage that with federal dollars as well as private investment to move the autism spectrum along. Hopefully, we’ll have some effective treatments for it.”

From research to pre-seed dollars to seed capital dollars to manufacturing through intern partnerships, OCAST is developing the local talent base Oklahoma needs to go forward and keep the state from losing engineering STEM talent.

“If we have the kind of industrial base that’s attractive to our graduates when they leave our higher education system, they’re more likely to stay in the state because they have jobs in their specific areas of study,” explained Carolina. “We can organically grow our own businesses from scratch. And that's basically our task as OCAST, to help businesses grow organically.”

For Oklahoma to be top 10 in more areas, Carolina said it would require some strategic investment. By taking advantage of our geography, educational assets at the university level, industrial base, and the pioneer spirit of Oklahoma’s citizens, he believes we can make a difference and make Oklahoma relevant and competitive on a national and international scale.

“It requires working with our politicians, our legislature, the governor, and his team saying, how do we coalesce those assets, so that Oklahoma becomes not a Silicon Valley, but we can become a technology corridor,” Carolina said.

Michael Carolina will be speaking at the Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch on Wednesday, October 14, 2020. Be sure to register for the online ZOOM event to learn more about OCAST, ask your questions, and network with entrepreneurs in Oklahoma. As a member, he encourages others to join the community and help with new ideas. He is looking to addressing the OVF and having some dialogue about where people think we should go next. https://ovf.org/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/41427753Mon, 12 Oct 2020 21:42:04 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumFor over 30 years, the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) has been the state’s agency for technology development, technology transfer, and technology commercialization. With Governor Kevin Stitt’s goal to make...
“We help to get science and technology projects, support those through our grant process and elevate Oklahoma’s science and technology community so that we’re competitive nationally as well as globally,” explained OCAST’s Executive Director, Michael Carolina. “We have some leading-edge researchers and research companies that benefit from OCAST’s grants, and they’re able to attract federal grants as well as private money from the private sector to accelerate research to commercialization or conversion; the conversion of technology to the marketplace.”

With the task to grow and diversify Oklahoma’s economy, Carolina described his job as atypical. Before joining OCAST, he worked in management and executive positions with the Western Electric Company, AT&T and Lucent Technologies. While with AT&T and Lucent Technologies, he was involved in engineering, strategic planning, new product design and introduction, manufacturing, technology transfer, and joint venture operations in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

“I think in Oklahoma, we have an asset base here that’s pretty rich. Again, with our higher education system, with our industrial complex that includes energy and includes aerospace and defense, bio-science, biotechnology, information technology, manufacturing, healthcare,” Carolina said. “The healthcare industry is growing, and so I think there are a lot of things that we can point to that are strengths in a global economy.”

One example of OCAST’s success stories, which Carolina plans to discuss during his presentation for OVF, is the work of Craig Shimasaki at Moleculera Labs.

“[Moleculera Labs] is doing some work now on the impact of COVID or the correlation of COVID and brain health and mental health,” Carolina said. “That’s a real success story. Craig Shimasaki was able to take an OCAST grant and leverage that with federal dollars as well as private investment to move the autism spectrum along. Hopefully, we’ll have some effective treatments for it.”

From research to pre-seed dollars to seed capital dollars to manufacturing through intern partnerships, OCAST is developing the local talent base Oklahoma needs to go forward and keep the state from losing engineering STEM talent.

“If we have the kind of industrial base that’s attractive to our graduates when they leave our higher education system, they’re more likely to stay in the state because they have jobs in their specific areas of study,” explained Carolina. “We can organically grow our own businesses from scratch. And that's basically our task as OCAST, to help businesses grow organically.”

For Oklahoma to be top 10 in more areas, Carolina said it would require some strategic investment. By taking advantage of our geography, educational assets at the university level, industrial base, and the pioneer spirit of Oklahoma’s citizens, he believes we can make a difference and make Oklahoma relevant and competitive on a national and international scale.

“It requires working with our politicians, our legislature, the governor, and his team saying, how do we coalesce those assets, so that Oklahoma becomes not a Silicon Valley, but we can become a technology corridor,” Carolina said.

Michael Carolina will be speaking at the Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch on Wednesday, October 14, 2020. Be sure to register for the online ZOOM event to learn more about OCAST, ask your questions, and network with entrepreneurs in Oklahoma. As a member, he encourages others to...]]>2600technology,economics,investment,oklahoma,ocastcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumFor over 30 years, the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) has been the state’s agency for technology development, technology transfer, and technology commercialization. With Governor Kevin Stitt’s goal to make Oklahoma a Top 10 state, OCAST is doing its part through partnerships and collaborations to stimulate economic development and technology-based economic development. “We help to get science and technology projects, support those through our grant process and elevate Oklahoma’s science and technology community so that we’re competitive nationally as well as globally,” explained OCAST’s Executive Director, Michael Carolina. “We have some leading-edge researchers and research companies that benefit from OCAST’s grants, and they’re able to attract federal grants as well as private money from the private sector to accelerate research to commercialization or conversion; the conversion of technology to the marketplace.” With the task to grow and diversify Oklahoma’s economy, Carolina described his job as atypical. Before joining OCAST, he worked in management and executive positions with the Western Electric Company, AT&T and Lucent Technologies. While with AT&T and Lucent Technologies, he was involved in engineering, strategic planning, new product design and introduction, manufacturing, technology transfer, and joint venture operations in Europe, Asia and Latin America. “I think in Oklahoma, we have an asset base here that’s pretty rich. Again, with our higher education system, with our industrial complex that includes energy and includes aerospace and defense, bio-science, biotechnology, information technology, manufacturing, healthcare,” Carolina said. “The healthcare industry is growing, and so I think there are a lot of things that we can point to that are strengths in a global economy.” One example of OCAST’s success stories, which Carolina plans to discuss during his presentation for OVF, is the work of Craig Shimasaki at Moleculera Labs. “[Moleculera Labs] is doing some work now on the impact of COVID or the correlation of COVID and brain health and mental health,” Carolina said. “That’s a real success story. Craig Shimasaki was able to take an OCAST grant and leverage that with federal dollars as well as private investment to move the autism spectrum along. Hopefully, we’ll have some effective treatments for it.” From research to pre-seed dollars to seed capital dollars to manufacturing through intern partnerships, OCAST is developing the local talent base Oklahoma needs to go forward and keep the state from losing engineering STEM talent. “If we have the kind of industrial base that’s attractive to our graduates when they leave our higher education system, they’re more likely to stay in the state because they have jobs in their specific areas of study,” explained Carolina. “We can organically grow our own businesses from scratch. And that's basically our task as OCAST, to help businesses grow organically.” For Oklahoma to be top 10 in more areas, Carolina said it would require some strategic investment. By taking advantage of our geography, educational assets at the university level, industrial base, and the pioneer spirit of Oklahoma’s citizens, he believes we can make a difference and make Oklahoma relevant and competitive on a national and international scale. “It requires working with our politicians, our legislature, the governor, and his team saying, how do we coalesce those assets, so that Oklahoma becomes not a Silicon Valley, but we can become a technology corridor,” Carolina said. Michael Carolina will be speaking at the Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch on Wednesday, October 14, 2020. Be sure to register for the online ZOOM event to learn more about OCAST, ask your questions, and network with entrepreneurs in Oklahoma. As a member, he encourages others to join the community and help with new ideas. He is looking to addressing the OVF and having some...Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/edited-david-jankowsky-interview
“We know there’s literally going to be hundreds of car manufacturers in the next five, ten years coming out with electric vehicles, and they would not be able to use the Tesla superchargers, so we solved that problem,” said Jankowsky.“We developed and installed universal chargers, so any car in the world can use them, including Tesla drivers. We solved the range-anxiety issue, meaning no one’s going to buy a car if there’s no infrastructure to fuel them if they’re away from their home.”

The Francis EV Charging Network solved range anxiety in Oklahoma by having a charging station every 50 miles. One could travel from Broken Bow to Guymon in their electric car. Jankowsky notes that one may have to drive 10 to 20 miles out of the way to access a charger because they currently don’t have enough in Oklahoma. The first phase of the network features 225 fast-charging stations across 109 strategically located sites in Oklahoma, including small towns.

The Oklahoma Venture Forum offers a combination of peer-to-peer conversation, Pitch Presentations of viable business scenarios (not just potential) and Success Stories. OVF promotes the economic development of Oklahoma. OVF.org]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/40756457Mon, 07 Sep 2020 21:25:36 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumSeptember 2020 Virtual Power Lunch Guest Speaker David Jankowsky, President of Francis Renewable Energy. With origins in the solar-power industry, David Jankowsky saw a problem in the electric vehicle market. With billions going into EV technology,...
“We know there’s literally going to be hundreds of car manufacturers in the next five, ten years coming out with electric vehicles, and they would not be able to use the Tesla superchargers, so we solved that problem,” said Jankowsky.“We developed and installed universal chargers, so any car in the world can use them, including Tesla drivers. We solved the range-anxiety issue, meaning no one’s going to buy a car if there’s no infrastructure to fuel them if they’re away from their home.”

The Francis EV Charging Network solved range anxiety in Oklahoma by having a charging station every 50 miles. One could travel from Broken Bow to Guymon in their electric car. Jankowsky notes that one may have to drive 10 to 20 miles out of the way to access a charger because they currently don’t have enough in Oklahoma. The first phase of the network features 225 fast-charging stations across 109 strategically located sites in Oklahoma, including small towns.

The Oklahoma Venture Forum offers a combination of peer-to-peer conversation, Pitch Presentations of viable business scenarios (not just potential) and Success Stories. OVF promotes the economic development of Oklahoma. OVF.org]]>1214virtual,tesla,capital,funding,venture,oklahoma,vc,solar,vehicle,infrastructure,ev,electirccleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumSeptember 2020 Virtual Power Lunch Guest Speaker David Jankowsky, President of Francis Renewable Energy. With origins in the solar-power industry, David Jankowsky saw a problem in the electric vehicle market. With billions going into EV technology, Jankowsky noticed little of that funding was going towards infrastructure. While Tesla Motors may have popularized the electric car and built their superchargers, they’re all closed source. “We know there’s literally going to be hundreds of car manufacturers in the next five, ten years coming out with electric vehicles, and they would not be able to use the Tesla superchargers, so we solved that problem,” said Jankowsky.“We developed and installed universal chargers, so any car in the world can use them, including Tesla drivers. We solved the range-anxiety issue, meaning no one’s going to buy a car if there’s no infrastructure to fuel them if they’re away from their home.” The Francis EV Charging Network solved range anxiety in Oklahoma by having a charging station every 50 miles. One could travel from Broken Bow to Guymon in their electric car. Jankowsky notes that one may have to drive 10 to 20 miles out of the way to access a charger because they currently don’t have enough in Oklahoma. The first phase of the network features 225 fast-charging stations across 109 strategically located sites in Oklahoma, including small towns. The Oklahoma Venture Forum offers a combination of peer-to-peer conversation, Pitch Presentations of viable business scenarios (not just potential) and Success Stories. OVF promotes the economic development of Oklahoma. OVF.orgNohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-award-sponsor-bbb
The 2020 finalists for Most Promising New Business, presented by the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma, included Galvanic Energy and Canopy Weather, LLC. Galvanic Energy addresses economic and technical barriers to create an abundant domestic supply of raw materials for alternative-energy future. Canopy Weather identifies roof condition and damage within 1 hour of hailstorms by using innovation within the data science and AI required to create the original dataset.

The Oklahoma Venture Forum annual awards event was developed to recognize the achievements of successful Oklahoma companies. These awards encourage and identify the importance of entrepreneurship in our state. Each of the recipients is an outstanding Oklahoma success story with a bright future.

The Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma’s mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust.
• Setting standards for marketplace trust
• Encouraging and supporting best practices by engaging with and educating consumers and businesses
• Celebrating marketplace role models
• Calling out and addressing substandard marketplace behavior
• Creating a community of trustworthy businesses and charities

Oklahoma Venture Forum is the oldest organization of its kind. The organization was founded in 1987 and will continue to be the champion for small business ventures and economic development by connecting and recognizing venture talents in Oklahoma for many years to come.

Since its beginning, the Oklahoma Venture Forum has been the preeminent Oklahoma organization promoting the formation of venture capital and development of entrepreneurship.

BBB sees trust as a function of two primary factors – integrity and performance. Integrity includes respect, ethics and intent. Performance speaks to a business’s track record of delivering results in accordance with BBB standards and/or addressing customer concerns in a timely, satisfactory manner.

We foster new and existing business ventures in Oklahoma through monthly Power Lunches, OVF After Hours and annual recognition awards. Our diverse membership includes investors, entrepreneurs and service providers from across Oklahoma representing the wide array of business interests in our state. OVF programs create awareness of business opportunities and trends and offer purposeful networking for leaders of commerce. https://ovf.org/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/40384261Tue, 18 Aug 2020 14:34:43 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumKItt Letcher, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma details her appreciation for the efforts of OVF to provide exceptional value for BBB as the Most Promising New Business Award sponsor during changes in the annual VOTY/MPNB event...
The 2020 finalists for Most Promising New Business, presented by the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma, included Galvanic Energy and Canopy Weather, LLC. Galvanic Energy addresses economic and technical barriers to create an abundant domestic supply of raw materials for alternative-energy future. Canopy Weather identifies roof condition and damage within 1 hour of hailstorms by using innovation within the data science and AI required to create the original dataset.

The Oklahoma Venture Forum annual awards event was developed to recognize the achievements of successful Oklahoma companies. These awards encourage and identify the importance of entrepreneurship in our state. Each of the recipients is an outstanding Oklahoma success story with a bright future.

The Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma’s mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust.
• Setting standards for marketplace trust
• Encouraging and supporting best practices by engaging with and educating consumers and businesses
• Celebrating marketplace role models
• Calling out and addressing substandard marketplace behavior
• Creating a community of trustworthy businesses and charities

Oklahoma Venture Forum is the oldest organization of its kind. The organization was founded in 1987 and will continue to be the champion for small business ventures and economic development by connecting and recognizing venture talents in Oklahoma for many years to come.

Since its beginning, the Oklahoma Venture Forum has been the preeminent Oklahoma organization promoting the formation of venture capital and development of entrepreneurship.

BBB sees trust as a function of two primary factors – integrity and performance. Integrity includes respect, ethics and intent. Performance speaks to a business’s track record of delivering results in accordance with BBB standards and/or addressing customer concerns in a timely, satisfactory manner.

We foster new and existing business ventures in Oklahoma through monthly Power Lunches, OVF After Hours and annual recognition awards. Our diverse membership includes investors, entrepreneurs and service providers from across Oklahoma representing the wide array of business interests in our state. OVF programs create awareness of business opportunities and trends and offer purposeful networking for leaders of commerce. https://ovf.org/]]>259career,business,professional,economics,oklahoma,vc,investing,entrepreneur,businessdevelopment,businessowner,ovf,venuturecleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumKItt Letcher, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma details her appreciation for the efforts of OVF to provide exceptional value for BBB as the Most Promising New Business Award sponsor during changes in the annual VOTY/MPNB event forced by COVID-19 in 2020. The 2020 finalists for Most Promising New Business, presented by the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma, included Galvanic Energy and Canopy Weather, LLC. Galvanic Energy addresses economic and technical barriers to create an abundant domestic supply of raw materials for alternative-energy future. Canopy Weather identifies roof condition and damage within 1 hour of hailstorms by using innovation within the data science and AI required to create the original dataset. The Oklahoma Venture Forum annual awards event was developed to recognize the achievements of successful Oklahoma companies. These awards encourage and identify the importance of entrepreneurship in our state. Each of the recipients is an outstanding Oklahoma success story with a bright future. The Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma’s mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. • Setting standards for marketplace trust • Encouraging and supporting best practices by engaging with and educating consumers and businesses • Celebrating marketplace role models • Calling out and addressing substandard marketplace behavior • Creating a community of trustworthy businesses and charities Oklahoma Venture Forum is the oldest organization of its kind. The organization was founded in 1987 and will continue to be the champion for small business ventures and economic development by connecting and recognizing venture talents in Oklahoma for many years to come. Since its beginning, the Oklahoma Venture Forum has been the preeminent Oklahoma organization promoting the formation of venture capital and development of entrepreneurship. BBB sees trust as a function of two primary factors – integrity and performance. Integrity includes respect, ethics and intent. Performance speaks to a business’s track record of delivering results in accordance with BBB standards and/or addressing customer concerns in a timely, satisfactory manner. We foster new and existing business ventures in Oklahoma through monthly Power Lunches, OVF After Hours and annual recognition awards. Our diverse membership includes investors, entrepreneurs and service providers from across Oklahoma representing the wide array of business interests in our state. OVF programs create awareness of business opportunities and trends and offer purposeful networking for leaders of commerce. https://ovf.org/Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/daniel-mercer-coop
“Once you get into the core of it, we ’re taking this brewery model, and we ’re expanding it and adding other new businesses to our model that put us right back in the same boat that we were in 10, 12 years ago,” Mercer explained. “We ’re getting into the hotel business or we ’re getting into this culinary business that involves a taproom in a restaurant and a speakeasy and all these event support spaces that have culinary features and a pool club, bar. Banks have been interested but not receptive to the total deal structure and scale. It ’s a large deal, and when you take a package to a bank that says you ’re going to spend $36 million over 20 months, including the money we ’ve already spent over the past couple of years in development, it becomes a scenario where virtually every bank is casting doubt, and then your solution, there, is to try to find alternative methods to finance your deal.”

“We spend a lot of time talking about diversifying industry in Oklahoma, and a lot of that talk is around, either, high-impact or high-level concept industries,” Mercer said. “Whether it ’s biomedical research or autoimmune disease treatment or mechanical devices... things centered around the oil and gas industry that may be new technologies and hardware technologies. But there are also plenty of other industries that just aren't ’t near as sexy, frankly. And I think, in Oklahoma in particular, we ’ve done a great job of focusing on the resources that we have. Particularly around the OU Health Science Center, around the oil and gas base that exists here and all the new technologies that have sprung out of that industry over the past, say, 20 years.”

https://coopaleworks.com/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/24976821Wed, 08 Apr 2020 14:34:57 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumWhat started with “poor decisions and lots of circumstances,” COOP Ale Works has grown into a company with a $20 million expansion plan at the former 45th Infantry Armory. Despite feeling like an outsider in the brewing community from not being a...
“Once you get into the core of it, we ’re taking this brewery model, and we ’re expanding it and adding other new businesses to our model that put us right back in the same boat that we were in 10, 12 years ago,” Mercer explained. “We ’re getting into the hotel business or we ’re getting into this culinary business that involves a taproom in a restaurant and a speakeasy and all these event support spaces that have culinary features and a pool club, bar. Banks have been interested but not receptive to the total deal structure and scale. It ’s a large deal, and when you take a package to a bank that says you ’re going to spend $36 million over 20 months, including the money we ’ve already spent over the past couple of years in development, it becomes a scenario where virtually every bank is casting doubt, and then your solution, there, is to try to find alternative methods to finance your deal.”

“We spend a lot of time talking about diversifying industry in Oklahoma, and a lot of that talk is around, either, high-impact or high-level concept industries,” Mercer said. “Whether it ’s biomedical research or autoimmune disease treatment or mechanical devices... things centered around the oil and gas industry that may be new technologies and hardware technologies. But there are also plenty of other industries that just aren't ’t near as sexy, frankly. And I think, in Oklahoma in particular, we ’ve done a great job of focusing on the resources that we have. Particularly around the OU Health Science Center, around the oil and gas base that exists here and all the new technologies that have sprung out of that industry over the past, say, 20 years.”

https://coopaleworks.com/]]>2090beer,business,capital,funding,oklahoma,vc,brewing,coop,ovfcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumWhat started with “poor decisions and lots of circumstances,” COOP Ale Works has grown into a company with a $20 million expansion plan at the former 45th Infantry Armory. Despite feeling like an outsider in the brewing community from not being a brewer himself, Daniel Mercer, CEO of Coop Ale Works, sees positives in his business-focused skill set. “Once you get into the core of it, we ’re taking this brewery model, and we ’re expanding it and adding other new businesses to our model that put us right back in the same boat that we were in 10, 12 years ago,” Mercer explained. “We ’re getting into the hotel business or we ’re getting into this culinary business that involves a taproom in a restaurant and a speakeasy and all these event support spaces that have culinary features and a pool club, bar. Banks have been interested but not receptive to the total deal structure and scale. It ’s a large deal, and when you take a package to a bank that says you ’re going to spend $36 million over 20 months, including the money we ’ve already spent over the past couple of years in development, it becomes a scenario where virtually every bank is casting doubt, and then your solution, there, is to try to find alternative methods to finance your deal.” “We spend a lot of time talking about diversifying industry in Oklahoma, and a lot of that talk is around, either, high-impact or high-level concept industries,” Mercer said. “Whether it ’s biomedical research or autoimmune disease treatment or mechanical devices... things centered around the oil and gas industry that may be new technologies and hardware technologies. But there are also plenty of other industries that just aren't ’t near as sexy, frankly. And I think, in Oklahoma in particular, we ’ve done a great job of focusing on the resources that we have. Particularly around the OU Health Science Center, around the oil and gas base that exists here and all the new technologies that have sprung out of that industry over the past, say, 20 years.” https://coopaleworks.com/Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-march-2020-liz-charles
The coalition’s mission is “to champion the collective power of Oklahomans to advance gender equity and justice.” Underscoring this mission are two key initiatives: Pay transparency legislation and a pipeline to politics. “There’s a lot of mania around the topic of pay transparency,” says Liz Charles, who is eager to clarify the language of two bills being considered by Oklahoma House Committees. One of the bills seeks to raise fines charged for violations against the Equal Pay Act. “These fines haven’t been raised since the Act became law in 1963,” says Charles. “Though we aren’t asking for numbers in line with inflation, we are asking for a bit of an increase for employers who discriminate against women.”

The Coalition is championing another piece of legislation that falls along the same lines. “We want folks to be allowed to inquire, through proper, established channels, about the salary ranges at their workplace. Right now, asking someone with your same experience and education about their salary can get you fired. So we are working on a bill that would allow for more transparent conversations.” And it takes many conversations to get to that level of transparency. “We’ve introduced these bills during the last four legislative sessions,” says Liz Charles, “and there have been amendments along the way.” In contrast to a legislative process that may take years and conclude with an unexpected outcome, the annual Pipeline to Politics Conference delivers every time. “It’s a win-win,” declares Charles, “because every woman who attends leaves with an understanding of local-level politics. The conference is for any woman of any age who is interested in public service. The speakers are from all levels of government, from school board members to legislators.”

Not surprisingly, the conversations at this one-day conference are very transparent. Topics include how to campaign for yourself, what to do when you win, what to do you when you lose, and how to campaign for another candidate. The full circle conversations are the best. Says the Executive Director, “It’s awesome when former attendees decide to run for office, get elected, and then come back as conference speakers. I think this belief in equality has always been ingrained in me,” she says. “Women deserve a face and we deserve to have influence and positions of leadership because of our experiences matter and our voice matters. There are people who need to hear from us. People need to put women in those positions so those little girls can see women doing things we think only men can do. Because you can’t be what you can’t see.” Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/23988811Tue, 17 Mar 2020 19:11:37 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumAs young Liz Charles traveled the world, she noticed a pattern: “People would tease my mom and they wouldn’t let her speak. So I saw her own personal fight with trying to have her space and equal opportunity. Both my parents were pastors and...
The coalition’s mission is “to champion the collective power of Oklahomans to advance gender equity and justice.” Underscoring this mission are two key initiatives: Pay transparency legislation and a pipeline to politics. “There’s a lot of mania around the topic of pay transparency,” says Liz Charles, who is eager to clarify the language of two bills being considered by Oklahoma House Committees. One of the bills seeks to raise fines charged for violations against the Equal Pay Act. “These fines haven’t been raised since the Act became law in 1963,” says Charles. “Though we aren’t asking for numbers in line with inflation, we are asking for a bit of an increase for employers who discriminate against women.”

The Coalition is championing another piece of legislation that falls along the same lines. “We want folks to be allowed to inquire, through proper, established channels, about the salary ranges at their workplace. Right now, asking someone with your same experience and education about their salary can get you fired. So we are working on a bill that would allow for more transparent conversations.” And it takes many conversations to get to that level of transparency. “We’ve introduced these bills during the last four legislative sessions,” says Liz Charles, “and there have been amendments along the way.” In contrast to a legislative process that may take years and conclude with an unexpected outcome, the annual Pipeline to Politics Conference delivers every time. “It’s a win-win,” declares Charles, “because every woman who attends leaves with an understanding of local-level politics. The conference is for any woman of any age who is interested in public service. The speakers are from all levels of government, from school board members to legislators.”

Not surprisingly, the conversations at this one-day conference are very transparent. Topics include how to campaign for yourself, what to do when you win, what to do you when you lose, and how to campaign for another candidate. The full circle conversations are the best. Says the Executive Director, “It’s awesome when former attendees decide to run for office, get elected, and then come back as conference speakers. I think this belief in equality has always been ingrained in me,” she says. “Women deserve a face and we deserve to have influence and positions of leadership because of our experiences matter and our voice matters. There are people who need to hear from us. People need to put women in those positions so those little girls can see women doing things we think only men can do. Because you can’t be what you can’t see.” Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.]]>231women,success,business,capital,funding,venture,equality,oklahoma,leadership,investments,ovfcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumAs young Liz Charles traveled the world, she noticed a pattern: “People would tease my mom and they wouldn’t let her speak. So I saw her own personal fight with trying to have her space and equal opportunity. Both my parents were pastors and missionaries, but my mom got shot down because she was a woman.” Now Liz is in Oklahoma, and she is continuing the fight for women’s rights in her position as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Women’s Coalition, The coalition’s mission is “to champion the collective power of Oklahomans to advance gender equity and justice.” Underscoring this mission are two key initiatives: Pay transparency legislation and a pipeline to politics. “There’s a lot of mania around the topic of pay transparency,” says Liz Charles, who is eager to clarify the language of two bills being considered by Oklahoma House Committees. One of the bills seeks to raise fines charged for violations against the Equal Pay Act. “These fines haven’t been raised since the Act became law in 1963,” says Charles. “Though we aren’t asking for numbers in line with inflation, we are asking for a bit of an increase for employers who discriminate against women.” The Coalition is championing another piece of legislation that falls along the same lines. “We want folks to be allowed to inquire, through proper, established channels, about the salary ranges at their workplace. Right now, asking someone with your same experience and education about their salary can get you fired. So we are working on a bill that would allow for more transparent conversations.” And it takes many conversations to get to that level of transparency. “We’ve introduced these bills during the last four legislative sessions,” says Liz Charles, “and there have been amendments along the way.” In contrast to a legislative process that may take years and conclude with an unexpected outcome, the annual Pipeline to Politics Conference delivers every time. “It’s a win-win,” declares Charles, “because every woman who attends leaves with an understanding of local-level politics. The conference is for any woman of any age who is interested in public service. The speakers are from all levels of government, from school board members to legislators.” Not surprisingly, the conversations at this one-day conference are very transparent. Topics include how to campaign for yourself, what to do when you win, what to do you when you lose, and how to campaign for another candidate. The full circle conversations are the best. Says the Executive Director, “It’s awesome when former attendees decide to run for office, get elected, and then come back as conference speakers. I think this belief in equality has always been ingrained in me,” she says. “Women deserve a face and we deserve to have influence and positions of leadership because of our experiences matter and our voice matters. There are people who need to hear from us. People need to put women in those positions so those little girls can see women doing things we think only men can do. Because you can’t be what you can’t see.” Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-donna-miller-purse-powerIt's never too late to live your dream. Our dream is to make a difference for women. A few years ago the three Babcock sisters (Donna Miller, Dr. Karen Nern and Dr. Phyllis (Freddi) Pennington) were on vacation in Miami. We were discussing our frustration with the lack of women in senior leadership positions and the 1 out of 4 women impacted by domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Our mother was a brilliant, beautiful nursing professor, author and activist who was also a survivor. All three of us have MBAs and two are medical doctors. Our mother raised us to be strong, independent women. Her battle cry was “To whom much is given, much is expected.” We have all taken this to heart and want to make a difference in this world.
Even though women make between 73-85% of all purchasing decisions, have trillions of dollars in spending power, control 51% of the private wealth and make or influence 67% of investment decisions, we hold less than 5% of the CEO jobs and around 21% of the board seats. The gap between our spending power and our representation in senior leadership is indefensible particularly since research has proven that companies perform better when there are more women in leadership roles.
When we began to discuss what could be done to drive positive change, we realized that the power was already in women’s hands. If we could get women to use their enormous economic power to buy from companies that actively create opportunities for women, we could shatter glass ceilings in a matter of quarters rather than decades. If we could also use a portion of the proceeds to create a funding stream that supported battered women’s shelters and programs that keep women safer, we could make this world a better place for all of us. Purse Power was born.
Purse Power is now working to become the primary source to find and buy from women-owned and women-led companies in the United States. We dream of playing a part in creating a day when our daughters, granddaughters, sons and grandsons can achieve their dreams irrespective of gender. https://www.pursepower.com/
Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/23988685Tue, 17 Mar 2020 19:05:48 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumOur March 2020 Pitch Presentation comes from Donna Miller with Purse Power. It's never too late to live your dream. Our dream is to make a difference for women. A few years ago the three Babcock sisters (Donna Miller, Dr. Karen Nern and Dr. Phyllis...It's never too late to live your dream. Our dream is to make a difference for women. A few years ago the three Babcock sisters (Donna Miller, Dr. Karen Nern and Dr. Phyllis (Freddi) Pennington) were on vacation in Miami. We were discussing our frustration with the lack of women in senior leadership positions and the 1 out of 4 women impacted by domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Our mother was a brilliant, beautiful nursing professor, author and activist who was also a survivor. All three of us have MBAs and two are medical doctors. Our mother raised us to be strong, independent women. Her battle cry was “To whom much is given, much is expected.” We have all taken this to heart and want to make a difference in this world.
Even though women make between 73-85% of all purchasing decisions, have trillions of dollars in spending power, control 51% of the private wealth and make or influence 67% of investment decisions, we hold less than 5% of the CEO jobs and around 21% of the board seats. The gap between our spending power and our representation in senior leadership is indefensible particularly since research has proven that companies perform better when there are more women in leadership roles.
When we began to discuss what could be done to drive positive change, we realized that the power was already in women’s hands. If we could get women to use their enormous economic power to buy from companies that actively create opportunities for women, we could shatter glass ceilings in a matter of quarters rather than decades. If we could also use a portion of the proceeds to create a funding stream that supported battered women’s shelters and programs that keep women safer, we could make this world a better place for all of us. Purse Power was born.
Purse Power is now working to become the primary source to find and buy from women-owned and women-led companies in the United States. We dream of playing a part in creating a day when our daughters, granddaughters, sons and grandsons can achieve their dreams irrespective of gender. https://www.pursepower.com/
Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.]]>247women,success,business,capital,investment,venture,economic,oklahoma,ovfcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumOur March 2020 Pitch Presentation comes from Donna Miller with Purse Power. It's never too late to live your dream. Our dream is to make a difference for women. A few years ago the three Babcock sisters (Donna Miller, Dr. Karen Nern and Dr. Phyllis (Freddi) Pennington) were on vacation in Miami. We were discussing our frustration with the lack of women in senior leadership positions and the 1 out of 4 women impacted by domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Our mother was a brilliant, beautiful nursing professor, author and activist who was also a survivor. All three of us have MBAs and two are medical doctors. Our mother raised us to be strong, independent women. Her battle cry was “To whom much is given, much is expected.” We have all taken this to heart and want to make a difference in this world. Even though women make between 73-85% of all purchasing decisions, have trillions of dollars in spending power, control 51% of the private wealth and make or influence 67% of investment decisions, we hold less than 5% of the CEO jobs and around 21% of the board seats. The gap between our spending power and our representation in senior leadership is indefensible particularly since research has proven that companies perform better when there are more women in leadership roles. When we began to discuss what could be done to drive positive change, we realized that the power was already in women’s hands. If we could get women to use their enormous economic power to buy from companies that actively create opportunities for women, we could shatter glass ceilings in a matter of quarters rather than decades. If we could also use a portion of the proceeds to create a funding stream that supported battered women’s shelters and programs that keep women safer, we could make this world a better place for all of us. Purse Power was born. Purse Power is now working to become the primary source to find and buy from women-owned and women-led companies in the United States. We dream of playing a part in creating a day when our daughters, granddaughters, sons and grandsons can achieve their dreams irrespective of gender. https://www.pursepower.com/ Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-jeff-price-ocu-esports
At VCU, Jeff was the director of the Advanced Visualization Lab, focusing on the delivery of traditional and 3d computer animation and virtual reality applications. He has worked for multi-service design and advertising agencies and has developed print design, signage, logos, and a/v presentations.

Jeff's students have gone on to work at industry giants such as Dreamworks, Sony Imageworks, Digital Domain, ID Software, Imaginary Forces, Magnet Interactive, Organic, Blur, Midway Games, and Big Idea.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/22963372Wed, 19 Feb 2020 18:47:24 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumJeff Price has an extensive background in game design, electronic media, interactive communications, and graphic design. Teaching at Oklahoma City University, Jeff draws from 20+ years of experience as an Associate Professor of Gaming and Animation at...
At VCU, Jeff was the director of the Advanced Visualization Lab, focusing on the delivery of traditional and 3d computer animation and virtual reality applications. He has worked for multi-service design and advertising agencies and has developed print design, signage, logos, and a/v presentations.

Jeff's students have gone on to work at industry giants such as Dreamworks, Sony Imageworks, Digital Domain, ID Software, Imaginary Forces, Magnet Interactive, Organic, Blur, Midway Games, and Big Idea.]]>318cleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumJeff Price has an extensive background in game design, electronic media, interactive communications, and graphic design. Teaching at Oklahoma City University, Jeff draws from 20+ years of experience as an Associate Professor of Gaming and Animation at Sam Houston State University and Oklahoma State University, Assistant Professor of Interactive Design at Virginia Commonwealth University, and his experience as the owner of Price Media Group. Jeff 's experience in the design and development of websites and web-based communications, as well as interactive multimedia and CD-ROM projects, led him to launch Price Media Group in 2000. As principal of PMG, Price has won several industry awards in video, animation, interactive, and print design. At VCU, Jeff was the director of the Advanced Visualization Lab, focusing on the delivery of traditional and 3d computer animation and virtual reality applications. He has worked for multi-service design and advertising agencies and has developed print design, signage, logos, and a/v presentations. Jeff's students have gone on to work at industry giants such as Dreamworks, Sony Imageworks, Digital Domain, ID Software, Imaginary Forces, Magnet Interactive, Organic, Blur, Midway Games, and Big Idea.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-27-viribushttps://www.viribusvr.com/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/22962452Wed, 19 Feb 2020 18:43:04 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumOklahoma startup Viribus VR Labs is a company dedicated to helping people with disabilities and their therapists. By creating a unique platform of fully immersive virtual reality games wirelessly connected to a sensor suit, Viribus makes performing...https://www.viribusvr.com/]]>497reality,virtual,medical,therapy,startup,vr,terchnologycleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumOklahoma startup Viribus VR Labs is a company dedicated to helping people with disabilities and their therapists. By creating a unique platform of fully immersive virtual reality games wirelessly connected to a sensor suit, Viribus makes performing home therapy programs fun! When it’s fun, more gets done...and that makes movements stronger and more controlled. Through a process called “neuroplasticity,” new brain connections are formed, improving functional pathways and facilitating better therapy results. https://www.viribusvr.com/Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-matt-williamson
The team at Clevyr visualizes and then creates software to streamline processes and improve lives. They excel at workflow automation, web design, facial recognition, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). The latter put Williamson at the OKC skyline and beyond, but Clevyr-style VR can also land you courtside at a Thunder game or behind the controls of a powerful machine.

For example, Clevyr has created a couple of VR training environments for warehouse and manufacturing facilities. Multiple trainees can learn how to operate vehicles or presses in a realistic environment. If accidents happen, everyone learns but no one gets hurt. While the training continues, the actual machines are available for day-to-day operations.

Daily learning tasks at school are also enhanced by Clevyr software solutions. “My favorite AR application is actually one we’re doing right now in the education space,” says Matt Williamson, “so I can’t talk much about it. But I can tell you that this kind of learning allows children to see things in real-time while engaging a different part of their brain.”

Ready to experience Clevyr-style AR for yourself? Turn your phone into an augmented reality marker scanner by downloading the Clevyr app. Then print out and scan the pop-up city marker on Clevyr’s website.

“I get giddy when I think about this technology,” says the CEO who still delights in computers after nearly 25 years in the industry. Others share his glee upon seeing the city scene come to life on their phones. “Every time I show it to someone,” Matt says, “they ask, ‘Where am I in this scene?’ Because your brain is saying, ‘this is where I am.’”

The markers, known as Clevyr Stories, are an engaging way to introduce AR technology to the marketplace. “Just imagine what it would be like,” says Williamson, “to use this interactive tool to show people what your company has to offer. I can tell you that we get a tremendous response when we send out cards with these markers on them.”

“You get to interact and play, zoom in and out. It provides an impact that lasts a lot longer than mailing out a marketing slick or handing out a business card.”

The Clevyr Stories pop up marker also has hot air balloons, and there’s plenty of blue sky for all of them.

Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/21716002Wed, 15 Jan 2020 17:28:17 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumAs Matt Williamson swings over the Oklahoma City skyline and grabs hold of the International Space Station, he’s already thinking about his next move. “I’m definitely like the blue-sky guy,” says the founder and CEO of Clevyr. “My company is...
The team at Clevyr visualizes and then creates software to streamline processes and improve lives. They excel at workflow automation, web design, facial recognition, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). The latter put Williamson at the OKC skyline and beyond, but Clevyr-style VR can also land you courtside at a Thunder game or behind the controls of a powerful machine.

For example, Clevyr has created a couple of VR training environments for warehouse and manufacturing facilities. Multiple trainees can learn how to operate vehicles or presses in a realistic environment. If accidents happen, everyone learns but no one gets hurt. While the training continues, the actual machines are available for day-to-day operations.

Daily learning tasks at school are also enhanced by Clevyr software solutions. “My favorite AR application is actually one we’re doing right now in the education space,” says Matt Williamson, “so I can’t talk much about it. But I can tell you that this kind of learning allows children to see things in real-time while engaging a different part of their brain.”

Ready to experience Clevyr-style AR for yourself? Turn your phone into an augmented reality marker scanner by downloading the Clevyr app. Then print out and scan the pop-up city marker on Clevyr’s website.

“I get giddy when I think about this technology,” says the CEO who still delights in computers after nearly 25 years in the industry. Others share his glee upon seeing the city scene come to life on their phones. “Every time I show it to someone,” Matt says, “they ask, ‘Where am I in this scene?’ Because your brain is saying, ‘this is where I am.’”

The markers, known as Clevyr Stories, are an engaging way to introduce AR technology to the marketplace. “Just imagine what it would be like,” says Williamson, “to use this interactive tool to show people what your company has to offer. I can tell you that we get a tremendous response when we send out cards with these markers on them.”

“You get to interact and play, zoom in and out. It provides an impact that lasts a lot longer than mailing out a marketing slick or handing out a business card.”

The Clevyr Stories pop up marker also has hot air balloons, and there’s plenty of blue sky for all of them.

Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.]]>128cleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumAs Matt Williamson swings over the Oklahoma City skyline and grabs hold of the International Space Station, he’s already thinking about his next move. “I’m definitely like the blue-sky guy,” says the founder and CEO of Clevyr. “My company is aggressive in moving deeper into new technology. We’ve always been that firm in Oklahoma City that says, ‘Cool! We can do that! We’ll figure it out.’” The team at Clevyr visualizes and then creates software to streamline processes and improve lives. They excel at workflow automation, web design, facial recognition, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). The latter put Williamson at the OKC skyline and beyond, but Clevyr-style VR can also land you courtside at a Thunder game or behind the controls of a powerful machine. For example, Clevyr has created a couple of VR training environments for warehouse and manufacturing facilities. Multiple trainees can learn how to operate vehicles or presses in a realistic environment. If accidents happen, everyone learns but no one gets hurt. While the training continues, the actual machines are available for day-to-day operations. Daily learning tasks at school are also enhanced by Clevyr software solutions. “My favorite AR application is actually one we’re doing right now in the education space,” says Matt Williamson, “so I can’t talk much about it. But I can tell you that this kind of learning allows children to see things in real-time while engaging a different part of their brain.” Ready to experience Clevyr-style AR for yourself? Turn your phone into an augmented reality marker scanner by downloading the Clevyr app. Then print out and scan the pop-up city marker on Clevyr’s website. “I get giddy when I think about this technology,” says the CEO who still delights in computers after nearly 25 years in the industry. Others share his glee upon seeing the city scene come to life on their phones. “Every time I show it to someone,” Matt says, “they ask, ‘Where am I in this scene?’ Because your brain is saying, ‘this is where I am.’” The markers, known as Clevyr Stories, are an engaging way to introduce AR technology to the marketplace. “Just imagine what it would be like,” says Williamson, “to use this interactive tool to show people what your company has to offer. I can tell you that we get a tremendous response when we send out cards with these markers on them.” “You get to interact and play, zoom in and out. It provides an impact that lasts a lot longer than mailing out a marketing slick or handing out a business card.” The Clevyr Stories pop up marker also has hot air balloons, and there’s plenty of blue sky for all of them. Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-dr-nilesh-vasan-workour
Dr. Vasan has developed medical devices for robotic surgery with the University.

He founded Adroit Surgical LLC, a private company in 2010 to develop and commercialize patented emergency airway management devices.

Dr. Vasan is an Associate Professor who specializes in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery and serves as Program Director for the Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Residency Program.

There is a problem with our medical residency programs in the United States. Governing bodies determine duty hours standards and resident physicians are tasked to follow them. But are they? The majority of Program Directors interviewed state that there are errors in the reporting process. Delayed time entries and honor-based systems do not provide accurate information to the institution or the governing bodies, and inaccurate data is the byproduct.

WorkOur has developed a product that eliminates this broken system and allows medical residents and physicians to seamlessly record and track duty hours details in real-time through location-based technology and their phones. The data generated provides valuable information to the programs and institutions, helping them make critical decisions about staffing and quality of care. WorkOur’s ultimate goal is to use this data to effect change by promoting flexibility in the current duty-hour standards in the US and around the globe.

Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/21715869Wed, 15 Jan 2020 17:21:36 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumDr. Vasan is a Board-Certified Otolaryngologist - Head and Neck Surgeon at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Dr. Vasan was born and raised in New Zealand and is a member of The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He has authored...
Dr. Vasan has developed medical devices for robotic surgery with the University.

He founded Adroit Surgical LLC, a private company in 2010 to develop and commercialize patented emergency airway management devices.

Dr. Vasan is an Associate Professor who specializes in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery and serves as Program Director for the Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Residency Program.

There is a problem with our medical residency programs in the United States. Governing bodies determine duty hours standards and resident physicians are tasked to follow them. But are they? The majority of Program Directors interviewed state that there are errors in the reporting process. Delayed time entries and honor-based systems do not provide accurate information to the institution or the governing bodies, and inaccurate data is the byproduct.

WorkOur has developed a product that eliminates this broken system and allows medical residents and physicians to seamlessly record and track duty hours details in real-time through location-based technology and their phones. The data generated provides valuable information to the programs and institutions, helping them make critical decisions about staffing and quality of care. WorkOur’s ultimate goal is to use this data to effect change by promoting flexibility in the current duty-hour standards in the US and around the globe.

Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.]]>206pitch,funding,venture,oklahoma,presentation,ovfcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumDr. Vasan is a Board-Certified Otolaryngologist - Head and Neck Surgeon at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Dr. Vasan was born and raised in New Zealand and is a member of The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He has authored numerous papers and book chapters in the field of Head and Neck Surgery and performs Head and Neck Robotic Surgery. Dr. Vasan has developed medical devices for robotic surgery with the University. He founded Adroit Surgical LLC, a private company in 2010 to develop and commercialize patented emergency airway management devices. Dr. Vasan is an Associate Professor who specializes in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery and serves as Program Director for the Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Residency Program. There is a problem with our medical residency programs in the United States. Governing bodies determine duty hours standards and resident physicians are tasked to follow them. But are they? The majority of Program Directors interviewed state that there are errors in the reporting process. Delayed time entries and honor-based systems do not provide accurate information to the institution or the governing bodies, and inaccurate data is the byproduct. WorkOur has developed a product that eliminates this broken system and allows medical residents and physicians to seamlessly record and track duty hours details in real-time through location-based technology and their phones. The data generated provides valuable information to the programs and institutions, helping them make critical decisions about staffing and quality of care. WorkOur’s ultimate goal is to use this data to effect change by promoting flexibility in the current duty-hour standards in the US and around the globe. Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-ep24-oklahoma-entrepreneur-m
“This type of commitment is what’s been missing in Oklahoma,” he says. “OKEMP provides mentoring teams who follow entrepreneurs throughout their whole career. Because true entrepreneurs don’t stop with just one idea.”

“One of the beauties of the program is that no matter where the entrepreneurs are in their life cycle, they’re getting matched up with mentors who can offer unbiased, unconflicted advice.”

What mentors also offer is access to their experiences as successful entrepreneurs, delivered during regularly scheduled 90-minute meetings. “There is a curriculum,” explains Sorocco, “but it is driven by the entrepreneurs who are coming with questions and concerns.”

“For example, the first entrepreneur may already have a prototype without ever looking at markets. So it’s backward! So the mentor helps identify who’s going to buy the product. Whereas the second entrepreneur may be a programmer who’s never sold anything. So the mentoring team teaches how to develop relationships that don’t seem too transactional.”

“Most entrepreneurs are going to fail with their first or second company. What we need for them to do is learn along the way so that when they get to number three or four, they’re more likely to succeed.”

https://creativeoklahoma.org/okemp/

Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/20859900Wed, 18 Dec 2019 18:03:44 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumDouglas Sorocco is owner of Dunlap Codding in Oklahoma City, an intellectual property attorney, PHOSITA blogger, chemist, visionary, social entrepreneur and creator of DC on Film Row. He’s also one of the volunteer co-directors of the new Oklahoma...
“This type of commitment is what’s been missing in Oklahoma,” he says. “OKEMP provides mentoring teams who follow entrepreneurs throughout their whole career. Because true entrepreneurs don’t stop with just one idea.”

“One of the beauties of the program is that no matter where the entrepreneurs are in their life cycle, they’re getting matched up with mentors who can offer unbiased, unconflicted advice.”

What mentors also offer is access to their experiences as successful entrepreneurs, delivered during regularly scheduled 90-minute meetings. “There is a curriculum,” explains Sorocco, “but it is driven by the entrepreneurs who are coming with questions and concerns.”

“For example, the first entrepreneur may already have a prototype without ever looking at markets. So it’s backward! So the mentor helps identify who’s going to buy the product. Whereas the second entrepreneur may be a programmer who’s never sold anything. So the mentoring team teaches how to develop relationships that don’t seem too transactional.”

“Most entrepreneurs are going to fail with their first or second company. What we need for them to do is learn along the way so that when they get to number three or four, they’re more likely to succeed.”

https://creativeoklahoma.org/okemp/

Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.]]>304business,economics,creative,oklahoma,entrepreneur,mentoring,okc,mit,ovfcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumDouglas Sorocco is owner of Dunlap Codding in Oklahoma City, an intellectual property attorney, PHOSITA blogger, chemist, visionary, social entrepreneur and creator of DC on Film Row. He’s also one of the volunteer co-directors of the new Oklahoma Entrepreneurship Mentoring Program (OKEMP). Modeled after MIT’s Venture Mentoring Service (MIT VMS), OKEMP matches an entrepreneur with a team of unbiased, experienced mentors. “This type of commitment is what’s been missing in Oklahoma,” he says. “OKEMP provides mentoring teams who follow entrepreneurs throughout their whole career. Because true entrepreneurs don’t stop with just one idea.” “One of the beauties of the program is that no matter where the entrepreneurs are in their life cycle, they’re getting matched up with mentors who can offer unbiased, unconflicted advice.” What mentors also offer is access to their experiences as successful entrepreneurs, delivered during regularly scheduled 90-minute meetings. “There is a curriculum,” explains Sorocco, “but it is driven by the entrepreneurs who are coming with questions and concerns.” “For example, the first entrepreneur may already have a prototype without ever looking at markets. So it’s backward! So the mentor helps identify who’s going to buy the product. Whereas the second entrepreneur may be a programmer who’s never sold anything. So the mentoring team teaches how to develop relationships that don’t seem too transactional.” “Most entrepreneurs are going to fail with their first or second company. What we need for them to do is learn along the way so that when they get to number three or four, they’re more likely to succeed.” https://creativeoklahoma.org/okemp/ Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-ep23-trang-nguyen-pharm-d-ofhttps://mimosahealth.com/

Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/20859855Wed, 18 Dec 2019 18:00:20 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumDr. Nguyen launched Mimosa Health in May 2017 with a mission to provide expert advice on the use of medications by older adults. Mimosa Health utilizes specialized knowledge in geriatrics and the unique medication-related needs of the senior...https://mimosahealth.com/

Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.]]>149pitch,medical,business,capital,startup,venture,oklahoma,pharmacy,mentoring,incubator,ovfcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumDr. Nguyen launched Mimosa Health in May 2017 with a mission to provide expert advice on the use of medications by older adults. Mimosa Health utilizes specialized knowledge in geriatrics and the unique medication-related needs of the senior population. Dr. Nguyen helps seniors reduce medication-related problems, reduce healthcare costs, and improve their quality of life through our community medication education seminars and personalized senior health services. https://mimosahealth.com/ Interviewed by Dennis Spielman for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-ep22-rob-reynolds-executive-director
TEL Library continues to innovate content management and publishing with a goal of making high-quality education affordable and easily accessible for everyone, everywhere. They are currently building a library of high-quality, low-cost learning content that can be repurposed and distributed quickly and efficiently across multiple product types and markets. In the next phase, TEL Library’s long-term goal is to leverage its structured data framework and make its structured content available to third-party AI systems to make high-quality, affordable education accessible worldwide.

Interviewed November 13th by Pritch Pritchard for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/20147492Wed, 20 Nov 2019 19:45:30 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumAfter earning his Ph.D. in Spanish at the University of Texas at Austin, Rob Reynolds began his career as a university faculty member teaching languages and literature. He has also served in university administration, as a textbook publishing...
TEL Library continues to innovate content management and publishing with a goal of making high-quality education affordable and easily accessible for everyone, everywhere. They are currently building a library of high-quality, low-cost learning content that can be repurposed and distributed quickly and efficiently across multiple product types and markets. In the next phase, TEL Library’s long-term goal is to leverage its structured data framework and make its structured content available to third-party AI systems to make high-quality, affordable education accessible worldwide.

Interviewed November 13th by Pritch Pritchard for The Golding Group.]]>214education,college,startup,degree,oklahoma,nonprofit,highereducationcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumAfter earning his Ph.D. in Spanish at the University of Texas at Austin, Rob Reynolds began his career as a university faculty member teaching languages and literature. He has also served in university administration, as a textbook publishing executive, and as a co-founder and/or leader of multiple educational technology startups. Reynolds currently serves as Executive Director of TEL Library, a non-profit, public library dedicated to providing affordable learning to anyone, anywhere. TEL Library continues to innovate content management and publishing with a goal of making high-quality education affordable and easily accessible for everyone, everywhere. They are currently building a library of high-quality, low-cost learning content that can be repurposed and distributed quickly and efficiently across multiple product types and markets. In the next phase, TEL Library’s long-term goal is to leverage its structured data framework and make its structured content available to third-party AI systems to make high-quality, affordable education accessible worldwide. Interviewed November 13th by Pritch Pritchard for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-ep-21-kitt-letcher
“We’re really trying to transform our image to business owners. We want them to see us as a resource for helping and/or stabilizing their businesses.”

Recorded November 13th, 2019. Interview by Pritch Pritchard for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/20145926Wed, 20 Nov 2019 18:10:29 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumTransparency, trust, and transformation at the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma. How does an Oklahoma organization anticipate its 90th birthday? In the case of the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma, it stays true to the core values...
“We’re really trying to transform our image to business owners. We want them to see us as a resource for helping and/or stabilizing their businesses.”

Recorded November 13th, 2019. Interview by Pritch Pritchard for The Golding Group.]]>369success,business,funding,venture,oklahomacleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumTransparency, trust, and transformation at the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma. How does an Oklahoma organization anticipate its 90th birthday? In the case of the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma, it stays true to the core values established in 1930 while continually adapting its services to the business community. “Transparency is one of the core values of our business,” says Kitt Letcher, the CEO and President of the Bureau. “And our standards of trust must be met before a business can earn BBB accreditation. But we’re also really trying to transform our image to business owners.” “We’re really trying to transform our image to business owners. We want them to see us as a resource for helping and/or stabilizing their businesses.” Recorded November 13th, 2019. Interview by Pritch Pritchard for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/philip-kurtz-ceo-careatc
After a 30 year journey, Philip Kurtz found his exit. “When I got to CareATC,” says Kurtz of the company he recently exited, “it was like everything I’d done in my life had prepared me for this particular job. I believed if I could blend a lot of the tools I’d learned over the last 30 years, I could have a major impact.”

Those skill sets enabled Kurtz to grow a successful population health management company. At the October OVF Power Lunch, he outlined key steps that need to be added to your itinerary long before you reach your exit. The easy to remember checklist includes momentum, market, and management.

CareATC tailors health care to the specific needs of employees. When CareATC partners with a company, it reduces the overall costs of healthcare while providing on-site clinics that offer opportunities for disease prevention and/or intervention. The population health management company cares for more than 250,000 patients through its partnership with 150 clients in 35 states.

Recorded October 9th, 2019. Interview by Pritch Pritchard for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/19614221Mon, 21 Oct 2019 16:15:34 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumSerial Entrepreneur Philip Kurtz On Navigating a Graceful Exit. After a 30 year journey, Philip Kurtz found his exit. “When I got to CareATC,” says Kurtz of the company he recently exited, “it was like everything I’d done in my life had prepared me...
After a 30 year journey, Philip Kurtz found his exit. “When I got to CareATC,” says Kurtz of the company he recently exited, “it was like everything I’d done in my life had prepared me for this particular job. I believed if I could blend a lot of the tools I’d learned over the last 30 years, I could have a major impact.”

Those skill sets enabled Kurtz to grow a successful population health management company. At the October OVF Power Lunch, he outlined key steps that need to be added to your itinerary long before you reach your exit. The easy to remember checklist includes momentum, market, and management.

CareATC tailors health care to the specific needs of employees. When CareATC partners with a company, it reduces the overall costs of healthcare while providing on-site clinics that offer opportunities for disease prevention and/or intervention. The population health management company cares for more than 250,000 patients through its partnership with 150 clients in 35 states.

Recorded October 9th, 2019. Interview by Pritch Pritchard for The Golding Group.]]>336business,capital,growth,venture,strategy,oklahoma,exit,profitability,entreprenur,ovfcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumSerial Entrepreneur Philip Kurtz On Navigating a Graceful Exit. After a 30 year journey, Philip Kurtz found his exit. “When I got to CareATC,” says Kurtz of the company he recently exited, “it was like everything I’d done in my life had prepared me for this particular job. I believed if I could blend a lot of the tools I’d learned over the last 30 years, I could have a major impact.” Those skill sets enabled Kurtz to grow a successful population health management company. At the October OVF Power Lunch, he outlined key steps that need to be added to your itinerary long before you reach your exit. The easy to remember checklist includes momentum, market, and management. CareATC tailors health care to the specific needs of employees. When CareATC partners with a company, it reduces the overall costs of healthcare while providing on-site clinics that offer opportunities for disease prevention and/or intervention. The population health management company cares for more than 250,000 patients through its partnership with 150 clients in 35 states. Recorded October 9th, 2019. Interview by Pritch Pritchard for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-sept-2019
What better way to design a toy-line than let kids be the creators? That’s the idea behind Wristworld, the first product of a new company called Real Tech.

Real Tech is a spin-off of Loveworks Leadership (www.loveworksleadership.org), an organization teaching leadership and entrepreneurialism to middle school students.

Michael Hirsch is the Loveworks Executive Director. Hirsch is passionate about seeing dreams come true in the hearts and lives of youth. Seven years ago he launched Loveworks with the focus to start an afterschool program for middle school students.

Recorded September 11th, 2019. Interview by Pritch Pritchard for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/19143796Wed, 18 Sep 2019 20:57:44 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumOKC's newest (and youngest) toy-tech startup Wristworld is an augmented reality puzzle RPG using wristbands. Travel through four holographic lands, interact with characters to solve the mystery, show off your 3D character and carry a whole world...on...
What better way to design a toy-line than let kids be the creators? That’s the idea behind Wristworld, the first product of a new company called Real Tech.

Real Tech is a spin-off of Loveworks Leadership (www.loveworksleadership.org), an organization teaching leadership and entrepreneurialism to middle school students.

Michael Hirsch is the Loveworks Executive Director. Hirsch is passionate about seeing dreams come true in the hearts and lives of youth. Seven years ago he launched Loveworks with the focus to start an afterschool program for middle school students.

Recorded September 11th, 2019. Interview by Pritch Pritchard for The Golding Group.]]>454reality,virtual,oklahoma,vc,rpg,ai,ar,venturecapital,ovfcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumOKC's newest (and youngest) toy-tech startup Wristworld is an augmented reality puzzle RPG using wristbands. Travel through four holographic lands, interact with characters to solve the mystery, show off your 3D character and carry a whole world...on your wrist! What better way to design a toy-line than let kids be the creators? That’s the idea behind Wristworld, the first product of a new company called Real Tech. Real Tech is a spin-off of Loveworks Leadership (www.loveworksleadership.org), an organization teaching leadership and entrepreneurialism to middle school students. Michael Hirsch is the Loveworks Executive Director. Hirsch is passionate about seeing dreams come true in the hearts and lives of youth. Seven years ago he launched Loveworks with the focus to start an afterschool program for middle school students. Recorded September 11th, 2019. Interview by Pritch Pritchard for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/craig-watters-global-social-entrepreneur
“Technology is limited in South Africa,” says Dr. Watters. “I spent nine summers teaching there, and it was challenging. How do you help develop a marketing strategy for a business owner in an outdoor market where there is no internet connection? We had to go to an internet café, and even then it was dial-up.”

So Craig Watters took the problem to Syracuse University, his alma mater, where they worked on a solution. “We created an internet backpack,” he explains. “When individuals wear them and spread out, it forms a ring. A hot spot. So the internet becomes part of their appropriate technology and they are able to build their businesses out.”

But the backpacks include this caveat: “Individuals have to explain how their business is going to help their community, their tribe, their country,” states Watters. “When we have those conversations, many have changed from just saying they are going to make money to saying they will train people and/or hire women.”

“That’s significant because my students and I help people in countries where women are not allowed to read or learn.”
That’s one reason why those places are not always accessible to the students in the Riata Institute for Global Social Entrepreneurship program. But until that changes, there’s a solution for that problem as well.

“My students at OSU are part of a social entrepreneurship club and a class called Enactus,” explains Craig. “The goal is to incubate businesses in other places. So the students are actually working as consultants for entrepreneurs in countries like Pakistan, Peru, Costa Rica and India.”
Still, there are more solutions to be found. “My class did all this workaround waste in India. And we quickly learned the importance of understanding the culture.”

“Even though the caste system is supposed to be abolished in India, it’s still very much alive. That means if you’re not from the lowest caste, the untouchables, you’re not allowed to touch the waste.”

“So that made us go back to the drawing board and think some more.”

As Craig Watters continues to circle the globe and connect the dots between social impact and global entrepreneurship, he and his students will have to be creative. To be successful, their technologies need to be culturally specific and appropriate to the situation. “Our solutions must be locally owned so that the community has ownership,” says the Director of the Riata Institute. “We also have to create technologies that are environmentally safe and gender safe.”
“Most of all, we remember that it’s not just about making money. It’s about social impact and social mission.”

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/17650529Mon, 15 Apr 2019 21:08:12 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumCraig Watters circles the globe. His journey may take him to Pakistan or India before he stops to form rings in Africa. Along the way, the Director of Oklahoma State University’s new Riata Institute for Global Social Entrepreneurship connects...
“Technology is limited in South Africa,” says Dr. Watters. “I spent nine summers teaching there, and it was challenging. How do you help develop a marketing strategy for a business owner in an outdoor market where there is no internet connection? We had to go to an internet café, and even then it was dial-up.”

So Craig Watters took the problem to Syracuse University, his alma mater, where they worked on a solution. “We created an internet backpack,” he explains. “When individuals wear them and spread out, it forms a ring. A hot spot. So the internet becomes part of their appropriate technology and they are able to build their businesses out.”

But the backpacks include this caveat: “Individuals have to explain how their business is going to help their community, their tribe, their country,” states Watters. “When we have those conversations, many have changed from just saying they are going to make money to saying they will train people and/or hire women.”

“That’s significant because my students and I help people in countries where women are not allowed to read or learn.”
That’s one reason why those places are not always accessible to the students in the Riata Institute for Global Social Entrepreneurship program. But until that changes, there’s a solution for that problem as well.

“My students at OSU are part of a social entrepreneurship club and a class called Enactus,” explains Craig. “The goal is to incubate businesses in other places. So the students are actually working as consultants for entrepreneurs in countries like Pakistan, Peru, Costa Rica and India.”
Still, there are more solutions to be found. “My class did all this workaround waste in India. And we quickly learned the importance of understanding the culture.”

“Even though the caste system is supposed to be abolished in India, it’s still very much alive. That means if you’re not from the lowest caste, the untouchables, you’re not allowed to touch the waste.”

“So that made us go back to the drawing board and think some more.”

As Craig Watters continues to circle the globe and connect the dots between social impact and global entrepreneurship, he and his students will have to be creative. To be successful, their technologies need to be culturally specific and appropriate to the situation. “Our solutions must be locally owned so that the community has ownership,” says the Director of the Riata Institute. “We also have to create technologies that are environmentally safe and gender safe.”
“Most of all, we remember that it’s not just about making money. It’s about social impact and social mission.”

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>176social,business,oklahoma,entreprenuer,venturecapital,ovfcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumCraig Watters circles the globe. His journey may take him to Pakistan or India before he stops to form rings in Africa. Along the way, the Director of Oklahoma State University’s new Riata Institute for Global Social Entrepreneurship connects individuals to technologies uniquely suited to their communities and cultures. “I like what I do because it gets to the heart of what I think entrepreneurship should be,” he says. The rings in Africa are an ideal example of that connection. “Technology is limited in South Africa,” says Dr. Watters. “I spent nine summers teaching there, and it was challenging. How do you help develop a marketing strategy for a business owner in an outdoor market where there is no internet connection? We had to go to an internet café, and even then it was dial-up.” So Craig Watters took the problem to Syracuse University, his alma mater, where they worked on a solution. “We created an internet backpack,” he explains. “When individuals wear them and spread out, it forms a ring. A hot spot. So the internet becomes part of their appropriate technology and they are able to build their businesses out.” But the backpacks include this caveat: “Individuals have to explain how their business is going to help their community, their tribe, their country,” states Watters. “When we have those conversations, many have changed from just saying they are going to make money to saying they will train people and/or hire women.” “That’s significant because my students and I help people in countries where women are not allowed to read or learn.” That’s one reason why those places are not always accessible to the students in the Riata Institute for Global Social Entrepreneurship program. But until that changes, there’s a solution for that problem as well. “My students at OSU are part of a social entrepreneurship club and a class called Enactus,” explains Craig. “The goal is to incubate businesses in other places. So the students are actually working as consultants for entrepreneurs in countries like Pakistan, Peru, Costa Rica and India.” Still, there are more solutions to be found. “My class did all this workaround waste in India. And we quickly learned the importance of understanding the culture.” “Even though the caste system is supposed to be abolished in India, it’s still very much alive. That means if you’re not from the lowest caste, the untouchables, you’re not allowed to touch the waste.” “So that made us go back to the drawing board and think some more.” As Craig Watters continues to circle the globe and connect the dots between social impact and global entrepreneurship, he and his students will have to be creative. To be successful, their technologies need to be culturally specific and appropriate to the situation. “Our solutions must be locally owned so that the community has ownership,” says the Director of the Riata Institute. “We also have to create technologies that are environmentally safe and gender safe.” “Most of all, we remember that it’s not just about making money. It’s about social impact and social mission.” Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ben-schwarz-goggle-auctionshttps://www.goggleauctions.com/

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/17650434Mon, 15 Apr 2019 21:03:23 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumBen Schwartz is the Founder and CEO of Goggle Auctions, a virtual reality application hosting live, weekly auto auctions empowering car dealerships and other wholesale used vehicle purchasers to purchase pre-owned vehicles from the convenience of...https://www.goggleauctions.com/

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>208business,oklahoma,vr,virtualreality,venturecapital,ovfcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumBen Schwartz is the Founder and CEO of Goggle Auctions, a virtual reality application hosting live, weekly auto auctions empowering car dealerships and other wholesale used vehicle purchasers to purchase pre-owned vehicles from the convenience of their own office through an intelligent, immersive, and engaging live auction experience in a VR headset. https://www.goggleauctions.com/ Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-ep15-piyush-patel
It is with great distinction and great humility that the Oklahoma Venture Forum honors the Chickasaw Nation with this year’s OVF Chairman’s Award for Economic Impact presented by Insperity.

The Award for Economic Impact recognizes an individual or an organization for exceptional contributions to the Oklahoma economy. This award honors those who do more than run a business. It celebrates the achievement of industrial progress balanced with compassionate leadership and it honors those who emphasize investments in the human spirit as well as the bottom line.

The Oklahoma Venture Forum’s Award for Economic Impact has been bestowed to many impactful organizations including The Oklahoma Thunder and Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores.

This year our esteemed Award Sponsor, the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma, will present the bi-annual award to Governor Bill Anoatubby, who will receive the award on behalf of the Chickasaw Nation.

Bill Anoatubby is the current governor of the Chickasaw Nation and has served in this position since 1987. Prior to his governorship, Anoatubby served as lieutenant governor in Overton James’ administration for two terms.

https://ovf.org/event-3011258

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/17467489Thu, 28 Mar 2019 21:16:34 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumWe are excited to announce that our Keynote speaker for the OVF Chairman's Award for Economic Impact event on May 08, 2019 will be Piyush Patel, Speaker, Angel Investor and Best-Selling Author of Lead Your Tribe, Love Your Work. Mr. Patel has 20...
It is with great distinction and great humility that the Oklahoma Venture Forum honors the Chickasaw Nation with this year’s OVF Chairman’s Award for Economic Impact presented by Insperity.

The Award for Economic Impact recognizes an individual or an organization for exceptional contributions to the Oklahoma economy. This award honors those who do more than run a business. It celebrates the achievement of industrial progress balanced with compassionate leadership and it honors those who emphasize investments in the human spirit as well as the bottom line.

The Oklahoma Venture Forum’s Award for Economic Impact has been bestowed to many impactful organizations including The Oklahoma Thunder and Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores.

This year our esteemed Award Sponsor, the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma, will present the bi-annual award to Governor Bill Anoatubby, who will receive the award on behalf of the Chickasaw Nation.

Bill Anoatubby is the current governor of the Chickasaw Nation and has served in this position since 1987. Prior to his governorship, Anoatubby served as lieutenant governor in Overton James’ administration for two terms.

https://ovf.org/event-3011258

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>516business,professional,economics,venture,oklahoma,developmentcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumWe are excited to announce that our Keynote speaker for the OVF Chairman's Award for Economic Impact event on May 08, 2019 will be Piyush Patel, Speaker, Angel Investor and Best-Selling Author of Lead Your Tribe, Love Your Work. Mr. Patel has 20 years’ experience as an entrepreneur and is the former CEO of Digital-Tutors. It is with great distinction and great humility that the Oklahoma Venture Forum honors the Chickasaw Nation with this year’s OVF Chairman’s Award for Economic Impact presented by Insperity. The Award for Economic Impact recognizes an individual or an organization for exceptional contributions to the Oklahoma economy. This award honors those who do more than run a business. It celebrates the achievement of industrial progress balanced with compassionate leadership and it honors those who emphasize investments in the human spirit as well as the bottom line. The Oklahoma Venture Forum’s Award for Economic Impact has been bestowed to many impactful organizations including The Oklahoma Thunder and Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores. This year our esteemed Award Sponsor, the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma, will present the bi-annual award to Governor Bill Anoatubby, who will receive the award on behalf of the Chickasaw Nation. Bill Anoatubby is the current governor of the Chickasaw Nation and has served in this position since 1987. Prior to his governorship, Anoatubby served as lieutenant governor in Overton James’ administration for two terms. https://ovf.org/event-3011258 Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-ep14-lt-gov-matt-pinnell
Before he was Lieutenant Governor, Matt Pinnell and his wife Lisa launched Binxy Baby, a company that sells baby hammocks that fit into shopping carts. Today the business is thriving and there are plans to launch two new products later this year. But the Lieutenant Governor still remembers what it was like at the beginning. “The attention to detail when you’re building a business is so important,” he says. In an interview ahead of his presentation at the March OVF luncheon, the Lieutenant Governor shares what those details look like. “I want to help entrepreneurs connect with the resources they need,” he says.

“We have the best career tech infrastructure in the country,” says the Lt. Governor. “Many classes are available to help start-ups bolster their businesses.”

The Lieutenant Governor also wants entrepreneurs to tap into the accelerators in the state. “The Thunder Launchpad and OK Innovate are raising money for investment funds. i2E also does a good job in that area. But we need more accelerators.”

“We have one of the best states in the country for philanthropic activity. So we need to get those people much more engaged in investing in business ventures.”

Engagement is key, especially when it involves connecting with the right people and resources. “When Lisa and I decided to launch our business,” recalls the Lieutenant Governor, “it was a slow build process.”

For example, it took time to work through the patent protocol for Lisa’s invention. But that investment, which secured a lockproof patent, means that the Pinnells are able to deal effectively with the legal issues that come with the territory. “It’s very frustrating,” says the Lt. Governor, “to see so many knockoff products on places like Amazon. I want small business owners to realize how important it is to find an attorney who specializes in patent infringement issues.”

“We went to experts in different fields very early in the process of building our business,” he recalls. “We identified a professional vendor in New York who specializes in manufacturing facilities in China. She helped us through that process.”

“It probably took us an extra year to get our product off the ground, but it paid off for us.”
Finding customers and making it easy for them to pay for products is another detail that must be carefully considered. “Shopify has made it easy for us to build the e-commerce side of our business,” says the Lt. Governor. “Another thing that has helped us is social media.”

“It is critical for entrepreneurs to quickly find someone who is technology proficient. When social media is done well, it’s a lot easier to grow a business.”

Growing a business, it seems, is a lot like growing Oklahoma. That’s why the newly elected Lt. Governor is seeking occasions to speak to individuals who want to invest in entrepreneurship. “I never turn down an interview,” he says, “and I’m always looking for opportunities to speak to people who care about these issues. Reach out to my office* and let’s talk. Because entrepreneurship is the future of Oklahoma.”

www.ok.gov/ltgovpinnell

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/17383829Wed, 20 Mar 2019 16:51:21 +0000Oklahoma Venture Forum“Oklahoma now has a Lieutenant Governor who is also a small business owner,” says Matt Pinnell. “So, naturally, I’m going to be going around the state seeking out opportunities to speak to entrepreneurs.” Before he was Lieutenant Governor, Matt...
Before he was Lieutenant Governor, Matt Pinnell and his wife Lisa launched Binxy Baby, a company that sells baby hammocks that fit into shopping carts. Today the business is thriving and there are plans to launch two new products later this year. But the Lieutenant Governor still remembers what it was like at the beginning. “The attention to detail when you’re building a business is so important,” he says. In an interview ahead of his presentation at the March OVF luncheon, the Lieutenant Governor shares what those details look like. “I want to help entrepreneurs connect with the resources they need,” he says.

“We have the best career tech infrastructure in the country,” says the Lt. Governor. “Many classes are available to help start-ups bolster their businesses.”

The Lieutenant Governor also wants entrepreneurs to tap into the accelerators in the state. “The Thunder Launchpad and OK Innovate are raising money for investment funds. i2E also does a good job in that area. But we need more accelerators.”

“We have one of the best states in the country for philanthropic activity. So we need to get those people much more engaged in investing in business ventures.”

Engagement is key, especially when it involves connecting with the right people and resources. “When Lisa and I decided to launch our business,” recalls the Lieutenant Governor, “it was a slow build process.”

For example, it took time to work through the patent protocol for Lisa’s invention. But that investment, which secured a lockproof patent, means that the Pinnells are able to deal effectively with the legal issues that come with the territory. “It’s very frustrating,” says the Lt. Governor, “to see so many knockoff products on places like Amazon. I want small business owners to realize how important it is to find an attorney who specializes in patent infringement issues.”

“We went to experts in different fields very early in the process of building our business,” he recalls. “We identified a professional vendor in New York who specializes in manufacturing facilities in China. She helped us through that process.”

“It probably took us an extra year to get our product off the ground, but it paid off for us.”
Finding customers and making it easy for them to pay for products is another detail that must be carefully considered. “Shopify has made it easy for us to build the e-commerce side of our business,” says the Lt. Governor. “Another thing that has helped us is social media.”

“It is critical for entrepreneurs to quickly find someone who is technology proficient. When social media is done well, it’s a lot easier to grow a business.”

Growing a business, it seems, is a lot like growing Oklahoma. That’s why the newly elected Lt. Governor is seeking occasions to speak to individuals who want to invest in entrepreneurship. “I never turn down an interview,” he says, “and I’m always looking for opportunities to speak to people who care about these issues. Reach out to my office* and let’s talk. Because entrepreneurship is the future of Oklahoma.”

www.ok.gov/ltgovpinnell

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>823business,capital,venture,economic,oklahoma,development,governor,lieutenant,ovf,pinnnellcleanfullOklahoma Venture Forum“Oklahoma now has a Lieutenant Governor who is also a small business owner,” says Matt Pinnell. “So, naturally, I’m going to be going around the state seeking out opportunities to speak to entrepreneurs.” Before he was Lieutenant Governor, Matt Pinnell and his wife Lisa launched Binxy Baby, a company that sells baby hammocks that fit into shopping carts. Today the business is thriving and there are plans to launch two new products later this year. But the Lieutenant Governor still remembers what it was like at the beginning. “The attention to detail when you’re building a business is so important,” he says. In an interview ahead of his presentation at the March OVF luncheon, the Lieutenant Governor shares what those details look like. “I want to help entrepreneurs connect with the resources they need,” he says. “We have the best career tech infrastructure in the country,” says the Lt. Governor. “Many classes are available to help start-ups bolster their businesses.” The Lieutenant Governor also wants entrepreneurs to tap into the accelerators in the state. “The Thunder Launchpad and OK Innovate are raising money for investment funds. i2E also does a good job in that area. But we need more accelerators.” “We have one of the best states in the country for philanthropic activity. So we need to get those people much more engaged in investing in business ventures.” Engagement is key, especially when it involves connecting with the right people and resources. “When Lisa and I decided to launch our business,” recalls the Lieutenant Governor, “it was a slow build process.” For example, it took time to work through the patent protocol for Lisa’s invention. But that investment, which secured a lockproof patent, means that the Pinnells are able to deal effectively with the legal issues that come with the territory. “It’s very frustrating,” says the Lt. Governor, “to see so many knockoff products on places like Amazon. I want small business owners to realize how important it is to find an attorney who specializes in patent infringement issues.” “We went to experts in different fields very early in the process of building our business,” he recalls. “We identified a professional vendor in New York who specializes in manufacturing facilities in China. She helped us through that process.” “It probably took us an extra year to get our product off the ground, but it paid off for us.” Finding customers and making it easy for them to pay for products is another detail that must be carefully considered. “Shopify has made it easy for us to build the e-commerce side of our business,” says the Lt. Governor. “Another thing that has helped us is social media.” “It is critical for entrepreneurs to quickly find someone who is technology proficient. When social media is done well, it’s a lot easier to grow a business.” Growing a business, it seems, is a lot like growing Oklahoma. That’s why the newly elected Lt. Governor is seeking occasions to speak to individuals who want to invest in entrepreneurship. “I never turn down an interview,” he says, “and I’m always looking for opportunities to speak to people who care about these issues. Reach out to my office* and let’s talk. Because entrepreneurship is the future of Oklahoma.” www.ok.gov/ltgovpinnell Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-ep13-brian-byrnes-okc-thunde
Introduced in January of 2018 as part of the Thunder’s 10th season, The Launchpad is an accelerator program located in OKC’s Midtown district. “We are inspired by the other entities that are driving the future of our state’s economy,” says Byrnes, “and we wanted to use the marketing and media power of the Thunder to elevate Oklahoma City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

To make the Launchpad a reality, the Thunder has teamed up with StitchCrew. This is a company that helps technology-minded entrepreneurs launch their ideas and obtain venture capital. So far, 18 have passed through the program; another group is being vetted to begin in the spring of 2019. The participants receive a space in which to work as well as other needed resources. They also are matched with mentors.

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group

https://ovf.org/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/17177111Thu, 28 Feb 2019 00:23:12 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumIs anything bigger than basketball in Oklahoma City? Ask Brian Byrnes, the senior vice president of Sales and Marketing for the Thunder, and the answer might surprise you. “The Thunder has made a community investment play that is beyond basketball,”...
Introduced in January of 2018 as part of the Thunder’s 10th season, The Launchpad is an accelerator program located in OKC’s Midtown district. “We are inspired by the other entities that are driving the future of our state’s economy,” says Byrnes, “and we wanted to use the marketing and media power of the Thunder to elevate Oklahoma City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

To make the Launchpad a reality, the Thunder has teamed up with StitchCrew. This is a company that helps technology-minded entrepreneurs launch their ideas and obtain venture capital. So far, 18 have passed through the program; another group is being vetted to begin in the spring of 2019. The participants receive a space in which to work as well as other needed resources. They also are matched with mentors.

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group

https://ovf.org/]]>220podcast,business,thunder,oklahoma,incubator,acceleratorcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumIs anything bigger than basketball in Oklahoma City? Ask Brian Byrnes, the senior vice president of Sales and Marketing for the Thunder, and the answer might surprise you. “The Thunder has made a community investment play that is beyond basketball,” says Byrnes. “It’s called the Thunder Launchpad.” Introduced in January of 2018 as part of the Thunder’s 10th season, The Launchpad is an accelerator program located in OKC’s Midtown district. “We are inspired by the other entities that are driving the future of our state’s economy,” says Byrnes, “and we wanted to use the marketing and media power of the Thunder to elevate Oklahoma City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.” To make the Launchpad a reality, the Thunder has teamed up with StitchCrew. This is a company that helps technology-minded entrepreneurs launch their ideas and obtain venture capital. So far, 18 have passed through the program; another group is being vetted to begin in the spring of 2019. The participants receive a space in which to work as well as other needed resources. They also are matched with mentors. Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group https://ovf.org/Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-ep12-leo-clark-founder-of-pa
Rather than being quick to offer a one-size-fits-all solution, however, Paelode Systems takes a step back by approaching opportunities from a more "consultative" perspective. Only by understanding the customer's business, inside and out, should appropriate solutions be offered -- solutions which often involve the application of proven technologies, tailored to meet the customer's specific business needs.

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group

https://ovf.org/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/17177083Thu, 28 Feb 2019 00:18:43 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumPaelode Systems is an Oklahoma-based startup company that creates efficiencies in the oil & gas sector by applying technology to solve business-critical problems in innovative ways. With a combined 40 years of experience in the information technology...
Rather than being quick to offer a one-size-fits-all solution, however, Paelode Systems takes a step back by approaching opportunities from a more "consultative" perspective. Only by understanding the customer's business, inside and out, should appropriate solutions be offered -- solutions which often involve the application of proven technologies, tailored to meet the customer's specific business needs.

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group

https://ovf.org/]]>153podcast,technology,business,oil,oklahoma,gascleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumPaelode Systems is an Oklahoma-based startup company that creates efficiencies in the oil & gas sector by applying technology to solve business-critical problems in innovative ways. With a combined 40 years of experience in the information technology and oil & gas sectors, the founders of Paelode Systems have witnessed many of these inefficient processes first-hand, and in late 2017, decided to do something about it. Paelode's flagship, end-to-end electronic ticketing and data workflow solution, known as lodeX, was brought to market in Q3/2018 and offers a reduction in administrative costs of up to 75%. Rather than being quick to offer a one-size-fits-all solution, however, Paelode Systems takes a step back by approaching opportunities from a more "consultative" perspective. Only by understanding the customer's business, inside and out, should appropriate solutions be offered -- solutions which often involve the application of proven technologies, tailored to meet the customer's specific business needs. Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group https://ovf.org/Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-ep11-todd-blasdel-from-devon-energy
As Blasdel focuses on the big picture, he envisions how the smaller pieces fit together. “I would say that our most successful internal projects have occurred when we take new technologies from several different areas and put them together to address our unique needs at Devon.”

“Another innovative thing we do is to make a different application of an emerging technology.”

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/16740658Thu, 17 Jan 2019 20:36:13 +0000Oklahoma Venture Forum“I can see the curve of the earth from up here,” says Todd Blasdel of the view from his office in Oklahoma City. “It’s quite spectacular.” The Lead for Strategic Innovation at Devon Energy has a 42nd floor office in Oklahoma’s tallest building, and...
As Blasdel focuses on the big picture, he envisions how the smaller pieces fit together. “I would say that our most successful internal projects have occurred when we take new technologies from several different areas and put them together to address our unique needs at Devon.”

“Another innovative thing we do is to make a different application of an emerging technology.”

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>186advice,energy,business,oil,devon,oklahoma,gas,innovationcleanfullOklahoma Venture Forum“I can see the curve of the earth from up here,” says Todd Blasdel of the view from his office in Oklahoma City. “It’s quite spectacular.” The Lead for Strategic Innovation at Devon Energy has a 42nd floor office in Oklahoma’s tallest building, and his window on the world is a lot like his job description: “I not only scout external innovations, but I also facilitate internal innovations,” he says, “while always keeping in mind a couple of strategic problems Devon needs to solve.” As Blasdel focuses on the big picture, he envisions how the smaller pieces fit together. “I would say that our most successful internal projects have occurred when we take new technologies from several different areas and put them together to address our unique needs at Devon.” “Another innovative thing we do is to make a different application of an emerging technology.” Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-ep10-global-staticom
Perry Bagnaro has 40 years in the Oil Industry. Owner of Sapheco, L.L.C and owner of Bagnaro and Associates Safety Services (BASS, L.L.C.) – a company focused on OSHA sanctioned drilling safety compliance training.

Global Straticom provides solutions that help worksite personnel work safely and companies work efficiently through technology innovation and digital automation. https://globalstraticom.com/

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/16531399Thu, 20 Dec 2018 15:52:56 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumDan Shuart has over 30 years of experience in the Technology Industry. Dan has held executive positions across multiple industries, from Insurance to Energy. He started Global Straticom in 1995 as a technology consulting company helping growth...
Perry Bagnaro has 40 years in the Oil Industry. Owner of Sapheco, L.L.C and owner of Bagnaro and Associates Safety Services (BASS, L.L.C.) – a company focused on OSHA sanctioned drilling safety compliance training.

Global Straticom provides solutions that help worksite personnel work safely and companies work efficiently through technology innovation and digital automation. https://globalstraticom.com/

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>190energy,technology,business,startup,funding,oklahoma,development,partnership,oilandgas,venturecapitalcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumDan Shuart has over 30 years of experience in the Technology Industry. Dan has held executive positions across multiple industries, from Insurance to Energy. He started Global Straticom in 1995 as a technology consulting company helping growth companies develop agile technology strategies. Today Global Straticom has a diverse portfolio of innovations to help companies of every size develop and utilize technology to grow their businesses. Perry Bagnaro has 40 years in the Oil Industry. Owner of Sapheco, L.L.C and owner of Bagnaro and Associates Safety Services (BASS, L.L.C.) – a company focused on OSHA sanctioned drilling safety compliance training. Global Straticom provides solutions that help worksite personnel work safely and companies work efficiently through technology innovation and digital automation. https://globalstraticom.com/ Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-ep9-james-roller-with-nextstream
Founded by Baker Hughes, a GE company (BHGE), NextStream is a holding company for emerging technologies. “We are a catalyst,” Roller says, “and each of our companies is a start-up. When someone chooses to partner with us, they look to us to support their development, not just financially, but in setting up systems, process and the focus to grow their products into sustainable, large scale businesses that are truly successful in the market.” NextStream purchased its first set of technologies from Baker Hughes, a GE Company.

“It’s very important to us to be located in BHGE’s Energy Innovation Center, which is in the Innovation District,” says Roller. “Being next door to other individuals who are developing technology is highly valuable to our scientists and our business leaders.”

“There are continued opportunities to enhance skill sets and find additional resources that are beneficial to the overall environment.”

NextStream’s location is a perfect fit for the Managing Director who identifies his role as that of, “the tip of the spear for our teams to help them be successful in their ventures. At this point, NextStream is ensuring that our technologists are enabled, empowered and have the strategic resources to develop their products. NextStream helps teams develop their path to market, commercialization, product segmentation, and sales and deliverables to customers.”

“One of my most important responsibilities,” he says, “is to align the progression of our technical development with financial accountability.”

Given its robust suite of services, it’s not surprising that Roller says, “NextStream is not your traditional venture capital group. NextStream pairs the resources of a leading global technology company with the DNA of a startup. NextStream is not required to exit any of our investments in a short time period. That doesn’t mean we won’t, though, if the right opportunities are there to return capital to our investors. Our priority is to build sustainable companies, whether that means companies are maintained within NextStream for a period of time or sold to another company at a later date.”

Of the time when the NextStream’s first five acquisitions reach sustainability, Roller has this to say: “I anticipate that the Oklahoma Venture Forum will feature those companies in this newsletter. Those technologies have a story to tell.”

“Technology is the leader that brought the oil and gas industry to where it is today. As we move forward, NextStream will be pursuing additional opportunities in the industrial energy space. NextStream has a world-class technology pipeline and is partnering with world-class operators and investors. We are excited to help develop the future of energy.”

Interview by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/16522081Wed, 19 Dec 2018 15:42:33 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumNextStream is the new kid on the block in downtown Oklahoma City’s Innovation District, but it’s already developing five new technologies for the oil and gas industry. “Those technologies will soon make their own splash,” says James Roller,...
Founded by Baker Hughes, a GE company (BHGE), NextStream is a holding company for emerging technologies. “We are a catalyst,” Roller says, “and each of our companies is a start-up. When someone chooses to partner with us, they look to us to support their development, not just financially, but in setting up systems, process and the focus to grow their products into sustainable, large scale businesses that are truly successful in the market.” NextStream purchased its first set of technologies from Baker Hughes, a GE Company.

“It’s very important to us to be located in BHGE’s Energy Innovation Center, which is in the Innovation District,” says Roller. “Being next door to other individuals who are developing technology is highly valuable to our scientists and our business leaders.”

“There are continued opportunities to enhance skill sets and find additional resources that are beneficial to the overall environment.”

NextStream’s location is a perfect fit for the Managing Director who identifies his role as that of, “the tip of the spear for our teams to help them be successful in their ventures. At this point, NextStream is ensuring that our technologists are enabled, empowered and have the strategic resources to develop their products. NextStream helps teams develop their path to market, commercialization, product segmentation, and sales and deliverables to customers.”

“One of my most important responsibilities,” he says, “is to align the progression of our technical development with financial accountability.”

Given its robust suite of services, it’s not surprising that Roller says, “NextStream is not your traditional venture capital group. NextStream pairs the resources of a leading global technology company with the DNA of a startup. NextStream is not required to exit any of our investments in a short time period. That doesn’t mean we won’t, though, if the right opportunities are there to return capital to our investors. Our priority is to build sustainable companies, whether that means companies are maintained within NextStream for a period of time or sold to another company at a later date.”

Of the time when the NextStream’s first five acquisitions reach sustainability, Roller has this to say: “I anticipate that the Oklahoma Venture Forum will feature those companies in this newsletter. Those technologies have a story to tell.”

“Technology is the leader that brought the oil and gas industry to where it is today. As we move forward, NextStream will be pursuing additional opportunities in the industrial energy space. NextStream has a world-class technology pipeline and is partnering with world-class operators and investors. We are excited to help develop the future of energy.”

Interview by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>201business,startup,funding,oklahoma,venturecapital,ovf,ventureforumcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumNextStream is the new kid on the block in downtown Oklahoma City’s Innovation District, but it’s already developing five new technologies for the oil and gas industry. “Those technologies will soon make their own splash,” says James Roller, NextStream’s Managing Director. “I can’t tell you what they are, but I can tell you that they will fit into the continued evolution of the oil and gas industry.” Founded by Baker Hughes, a GE company (BHGE), NextStream is a holding company for emerging technologies. “We are a catalyst,” Roller says, “and each of our companies is a start-up. When someone chooses to partner with us, they look to us to support their development, not just financially, but in setting up systems, process and the focus to grow their products into sustainable, large scale businesses that are truly successful in the market.” NextStream purchased its first set of technologies from Baker Hughes, a GE Company. “It’s very important to us to be located in BHGE’s Energy Innovation Center, which is in the Innovation District,” says Roller. “Being next door to other individuals who are developing technology is highly valuable to our scientists and our business leaders.” “There are continued opportunities to enhance skill sets and find additional resources that are beneficial to the overall environment.” NextStream’s location is a perfect fit for the Managing Director who identifies his role as that of, “the tip of the spear for our teams to help them be successful in their ventures. At this point, NextStream is ensuring that our technologists are enabled, empowered and have the strategic resources to develop their products. NextStream helps teams develop their path to market, commercialization, product segmentation, and sales and deliverables to customers.” “One of my most important responsibilities,” he says, “is to align the progression of our technical development with financial accountability.” Given its robust suite of services, it’s not surprising that Roller says, “NextStream is not your traditional venture capital group. NextStream pairs the resources of a leading global technology company with the DNA of a startup. NextStream is not required to exit any of our investments in a short time period. That doesn’t mean we won’t, though, if the right opportunities are there to return capital to our investors. Our priority is to build sustainable companies, whether that means companies are maintained within NextStream for a period of time or sold to another company at a later date.” Of the time when the NextStream’s first five acquisitions reach sustainability, Roller has this to say: “I anticipate that the Oklahoma Venture Forum will feature those companies in this newsletter. Those technologies have a story to tell.” “Technology is the leader that brought the oil and gas industry to where it is today. As we move forward, NextStream will be pursuing additional opportunities in the industrial energy space. NextStream has a world-class technology pipeline and is partnering with world-class operators and investors. We are excited to help develop the future of energy.” Interview by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-brian-bomar-whiteboard-crm
Brian Bomar spent two years following some of these Top Producers to learn what it was that set them apart. He examined their behaviors, studied their processes, and spoke with them about their successes (and failures). Then, we worked with a team of developers to create a system that would allow anyone to replicate the work they do on a daily basis: Whiteboard CRM.

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/16279586Wed, 21 Nov 2018 19:55:51 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumHave you ever wondered what Top Producers are doing differently? Year after year, they close an extraordinary amount of loans, receive an extraordinary amount of referrals, and make an extraordinary amount of money. But, what makes them so...
Brian Bomar spent two years following some of these Top Producers to learn what it was that set them apart. He examined their behaviors, studied their processes, and spoke with them about their successes (and failures). Then, we worked with a team of developers to create a system that would allow anyone to replicate the work they do on a daily basis: Whiteboard CRM.

Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>384software,business,realestate,mortgage,oklahoma,okc,crm,liveevent,venturecapital,oklahomacity,ovfcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumHave you ever wondered what Top Producers are doing differently? Year after year, they close an extraordinary amount of loans, receive an extraordinary amount of referrals, and make an extraordinary amount of money. But, what makes them so extraordinary? Brian Bomar spent two years following some of these Top Producers to learn what it was that set them apart. He examined their behaviors, studied their processes, and spoke with them about their successes (and failures). Then, we worked with a team of developers to create a system that would allow anyone to replicate the work they do on a daily basis: Whiteboard CRM. Interviewed by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-braden-merritt
The November long presenter was Braden Merritt, Director of Investor Relations of Humphreys Capital. In this role, he communicates fund strategy and performance, coordinates fund offering materials and investor correspondence, and reports to the Investment Committee.

Braden is a 7-year combat veteran who began his career as a reconnaissance officer in the United States Marine Corps, where he deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and at sea with the U.S. Fifth Fleet. In 2013 Braden attended graduate school before transitioning into management consulting with The Boston Consulting Group, where he focused on strategic growth across diverse industries. He later served as a regional program manager for Google Fiber, spanning five markets, improving the efficiency, accuracy, and scalability of operating cost management and capital expense reporting in a startup environment. Braden joined Humphreys Capital in 2017.

Braden earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Petroleum Economics and Management from the French Institute of Petroleum in 2014 and a Bachelor of Science in International Relations from the United States Naval Academy in 2006.

Interview by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/16279526Wed, 21 Nov 2018 19:52:09 +0000Oklahoma Venture Forum"Evolving to Capture New Opportunities in a Dynamic Market." The November long presenter was Braden Merritt, Director of Investor Relations of Humphreys Capital. In this role, he communicates fund strategy and performance, coordinates fund offering...
The November long presenter was Braden Merritt, Director of Investor Relations of Humphreys Capital. In this role, he communicates fund strategy and performance, coordinates fund offering materials and investor correspondence, and reports to the Investment Committee.

Braden is a 7-year combat veteran who began his career as a reconnaissance officer in the United States Marine Corps, where he deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and at sea with the U.S. Fifth Fleet. In 2013 Braden attended graduate school before transitioning into management consulting with The Boston Consulting Group, where he focused on strategic growth across diverse industries. He later served as a regional program manager for Google Fiber, spanning five markets, improving the efficiency, accuracy, and scalability of operating cost management and capital expense reporting in a startup environment. Braden joined Humphreys Capital in 2017.

Braden earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Petroleum Economics and Management from the French Institute of Petroleum in 2014 and a Bachelor of Science in International Relations from the United States Naval Academy in 2006.

Interview by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.]]>269podcast,speaker,advice,business,realestate,mortgage,oklahoma,liveevent,venturecapital,ovfcleanfullOklahoma Venture Forum"Evolving to Capture New Opportunities in a Dynamic Market." The November long presenter was Braden Merritt, Director of Investor Relations of Humphreys Capital. In this role, he communicates fund strategy and performance, coordinates fund offering materials and investor correspondence, and reports to the Investment Committee. Braden is a 7-year combat veteran who began his career as a reconnaissance officer in the United States Marine Corps, where he deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and at sea with the U.S. Fifth Fleet. In 2013 Braden attended graduate school before transitioning into management consulting with The Boston Consulting Group, where he focused on strategic growth across diverse industries. He later served as a regional program manager for Google Fiber, spanning five markets, improving the efficiency, accuracy, and scalability of operating cost management and capital expense reporting in a startup environment. Braden joined Humphreys Capital in 2017. Braden earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Petroleum Economics and Management from the French Institute of Petroleum in 2014 and a Bachelor of Science in International Relations from the United States Naval Academy in 2006. Interview by Kyle Golding for The Golding Group.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-cindy-convery-raw-space
Prior to founding RawSpaceForRent.com, Cindy owned Foothill Productions, an advertising agency whose clients included Warner Bros., Disney and Paramount Studios. Under Cindy’s direction, Foothill Productions created advertising campaigns for more than 500 feature films ranging from the HARRY POTTER franchise to THE LION KING.

Raw Space For Rent is an online community marketplace that connects people looking to rent unique space with people who have unique spaces for rent: rooftops, gardens, event spaces, barns, car storage, pop up shops, galleries or meeting space. It’s an Airbnb platform for space.

Raw Space For Rent allows owners to create an account and to list their space including pictures, description and contact information. People looking for unique rental space are able to directly contact the owner and book through our transactional website.

Their listings include office space, event space, shared gardens, private homes and even an entire 1500 acre prairie town.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/16091928Tue, 30 Oct 2018 14:38:59 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumThe October 2018 Short Presenter was Cindy Convery, CEO of Raw Space for Rent online startup. Convery is the founder of RawSpaceForRent.com, an online community marketplace that connects people looking to rent out their unused space with people...
Prior to founding RawSpaceForRent.com, Cindy owned Foothill Productions, an advertising agency whose clients included Warner Bros., Disney and Paramount Studios. Under Cindy’s direction, Foothill Productions created advertising campaigns for more than 500 feature films ranging from the HARRY POTTER franchise to THE LION KING.

Raw Space For Rent is an online community marketplace that connects people looking to rent unique space with people who have unique spaces for rent: rooftops, gardens, event spaces, barns, car storage, pop up shops, galleries or meeting space. It’s an Airbnb platform for space.

Raw Space For Rent allows owners to create an account and to list their space including pictures, description and contact information. People looking for unique rental space are able to directly contact the owner and book through our transactional website.

Their listings include office space, event space, shared gardens, private homes and even an entire 1500 acre prairie town.]]>374virtual,business,startup,funding,oklahoma,tulsa,okc,venturecapital,oklahomacity,rawspaceforrent,cindyconverycleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumThe October 2018 Short Presenter was Cindy Convery, CEO of Raw Space for Rent online startup. Convery is the founder of RawSpaceForRent.com, an online community marketplace that connects people looking to rent out their unused space with people looking for unique space rentals: events, art openings, workspace. Prior to founding RawSpaceForRent.com, Cindy owned Foothill Productions, an advertising agency whose clients included Warner Bros., Disney and Paramount Studios. Under Cindy’s direction, Foothill Productions created advertising campaigns for more than 500 feature films ranging from the HARRY POTTER franchise to THE LION KING. Raw Space For Rent is an online community marketplace that connects people looking to rent unique space with people who have unique spaces for rent: rooftops, gardens, event spaces, barns, car storage, pop up shops, galleries or meeting space. It’s an Airbnb platform for space. Raw Space For Rent allows owners to create an account and to list their space including pictures, description and contact information. People looking for unique rental space are able to directly contact the owner and book through our transactional website. Their listings include office space, event space, shared gardens, private homes and even an entire 1500 acre prairie town.Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-jason-shultz
HoganTaylor is committed to investing in innovative technology that improves the efficiency of service and reduces the burden placed on clients throughout engagement processes. That is why they developed myPortal, a new, accessible-anywhere, document transfer and storage portal designed specifically to manage complex financial projects like audits, reviews and tax returns.

https://hogantaylor.com/about/myportal/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/16091758Tue, 30 Oct 2018 14:25:21 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumThis month, we hear from Jason Shultz, a Partner at HoganTaylor and the Director of their technology spin-off myPortal. Shultz has been a key driver of HoganTaylor’s use of national, cutting-edge technology in its audit processes, which allows audit...
HoganTaylor is committed to investing in innovative technology that improves the efficiency of service and reduces the burden placed on clients throughout engagement processes. That is why they developed myPortal, a new, accessible-anywhere, document transfer and storage portal designed specifically to manage complex financial projects like audits, reviews and tax returns.

https://hogantaylor.com/about/myportal/]]>269technology,business,capital,startup,funding,venture,oklahoma,development,okc,profit,spinoff,oklahomacity,ovf,hogantaylor,myportalcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumThis month, we hear from Jason Shultz, a Partner at HoganTaylor and the Director of their technology spin-off myPortal. Shultz has been a key driver of HoganTaylor’s use of national, cutting-edge technology in its audit processes, which allows audit engagement teams to perform focused, risk-based testing, address specific fraud risk factors, and identify potential operational inefficiencies. HoganTaylor is committed to investing in innovative technology that improves the efficiency of service and reduces the burden placed on clients throughout engagement processes. That is why they developed myPortal, a new, accessible-anywhere, document transfer and storage portal designed specifically to manage complex financial projects like audits, reviews and tax returns. https://hogantaylor.com/about/myportal/Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-shoaib-shaikh-xplosafe
XploSafe has a very skilled and highly motivated team that is addressing some of the most critical chemical safety challenges. It is actively engaged in research; and product development work for mission-critical challenges funded by the defense health program (DoD), the U.S. Environmental protection agency and the National Institutes of Health to list a few customers.

XploSafe’s products are distributed globally by large suppliers including Merck-Millipore Sigma, ADS Tactical Inc. and Grainger. XploSafe was selected as a finalist for the 2011 Most Promising New Business in the State of Oklahoma by the Oklahoma Venture Forum.

https://xplosafe.com/
https://ovf.org/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/15880252Thu, 04 Oct 2018 17:44:05 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumWe briefly hear from Shoaib Shaikh all about the Stillwater startup XploSafe that is now producing a full line of products that protect personnel that deals with unstable and hazardous compounds such as first responders, industrial safety personnel,...
XploSafe has a very skilled and highly motivated team that is addressing some of the most critical chemical safety challenges. It is actively engaged in research; and product development work for mission-critical challenges funded by the defense health program (DoD), the U.S. Environmental protection agency and the National Institutes of Health to list a few customers.

XploSafe’s products are distributed globally by large suppliers including Merck-Millipore Sigma, ADS Tactical Inc. and Grainger. XploSafe was selected as a finalist for the 2011 Most Promising New Business in the State of Oklahoma by the Oklahoma Venture Forum.

https://xplosafe.com/
https://ovf.org/]]>252cleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumWe briefly hear from Shoaib Shaikh all about the Stillwater startup XploSafe that is now producing a full line of products that protect personnel that deals with unstable and hazardous compounds such as first responders, industrial safety personnel, researchers, pharmaceutical manufacturers and threat assessment officials. XploSafe has a very skilled and highly motivated team that is addressing some of the most critical chemical safety challenges. It is actively engaged in research; and product development work for mission-critical challenges funded by the defense health program (DoD), the U.S. Environmental protection agency and the National Institutes of Health to list a few customers. XploSafe’s products are distributed globally by large suppliers including Merck-Millipore Sigma, ADS Tactical Inc. and Grainger. XploSafe was selected as a finalist for the 2011 Most Promising New Business in the State of Oklahoma by the Oklahoma Venture Forum. https://xplosafe.com/ https://ovf.org/Nohttps://www.spreaker.com/user/ovfokc/ovf-podcast-kedar-pai-plasma-bionics
It took eight years and more than one pivot to get Plasma Bionics to where they are today: A high-tech manufacturing company that utilizes portable cold plasma technology to sterilize veterinary instruments.

Pai gives us an update on the company, their products and what's next for Plasma Bionics.

“The trial customers we’ve had, and their positive attitude towards our device, is very reassuring,” says Pai. “A promising technology can be created, but customer support makes a company promising.”

https://plasmabionics.com/
https://ovf.org/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/15880205Thu, 04 Oct 2018 17:35:06 +0000Oklahoma Venture ForumOur long presentation speaker for September 2018 was Kedar Pai from Plasma Bionics, the Winner of Most Promising Business from the Oklahoma Venture Forum 2018 Awards. It took eight years and more than one pivot to get Plasma Bionics to where they are...
It took eight years and more than one pivot to get Plasma Bionics to where they are today: A high-tech manufacturing company that utilizes portable cold plasma technology to sterilize veterinary instruments.

Pai gives us an update on the company, their products and what's next for Plasma Bionics.

“The trial customers we’ve had, and their positive attitude towards our device, is very reassuring,” says Pai. “A promising technology can be created, but customer support makes a company promising.”

https://plasmabionics.com/
https://ovf.org/]]>176business,oklahoma,economicdevelopment,venturecapital,veterinary,ovfcleanfullOklahoma Venture ForumOur long presentation speaker for September 2018 was Kedar Pai from Plasma Bionics, the Winner of Most Promising Business from the Oklahoma Venture Forum 2018 Awards. It took eight years and more than one pivot to get Plasma Bionics to where they are today: A high-tech manufacturing company that utilizes portable cold plasma technology to sterilize veterinary instruments. Pai gives us an update on the company, their products and what's next for Plasma Bionics. “The trial customers we’ve had, and their positive attitude towards our device, is very reassuring,” says Pai. “A promising technology can be created, but customer support makes a company promising.” https://plasmabionics.com/ https://ovf.org/No