i2E Turning Innovations into Enterprises
Tom Walker
CEO and President
840 Research Parkway, Suite 250
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
Phone: 405/235-2305
FAX: 405/235-2252
www.i2E.org
As
a statewide not-for-profit corporation founded in 1997, i2E, Inc.
provides a suite of business and advisory services, access to capital
and entrepreneurial development programs that help new innovation-based
companies gain a solid foundation as they work to take a new technology
to market.
i2E was recognized in 2009 with an international economic development award and has served as a template for similar programs throughout the nation. In 2010, it received an economic development award from the State Science and Technology Institute for the proof-of-concept fund it manages.
With a $1 million grant by the Federal Economic Development Administration, i2E is expanding its role in providing mentoring to the state's entrepreneurs. The EDA award was matched with support from five local partners - the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, the city of Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Business Roundtable, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and the Presbyterian Health Foundation.
The SeedStep Angels, managed by i2E, has become the largest angel group in the region. It is composed of high-net-worth Oklahomans who are seeking investment opportunities among local technology-based startups.
The OCAST Technology Business Finance Program is a proof-of-concept fund, with awards of $100,000. The fund includes a payback provision that has yielded a return of 37 percent of original awards, which are then used for future proof-of-concept awards.
The Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund provides seed and start-up equity financing that attracts co-investors to the funding opportunities.
i2E also has been heavily involved in fostering new entrepreneurs through the Donald W. Reynolds Governor's Cup business plan competition which provides experience in research, writing and presenting business plans and the i2E Fellows program places entrepreneurial students in start-up companies, research organizations and at i2E for a 10-week, paid fellowship each year.
i2E's impact on the growth of the state's knowledge-based economy will continue to expand as it adds to its capabilities to serve Oklahoma's entrepreneurial community.