Over i2E’s 20-year history, our nationally recognized services have provided business expertise and funding to over 700 of Oklahoma’s emerging small businesses.
i2E's 20th Anniversary
OUR MISSION
“Investing in Entrepreneurs to build successful high growth companies in Oklahoma.”
i2E, Inc. is a nationally recognized private not-for-profit corporation focused on growing innovative small businesses in Oklahoma and making a positive impact on the state’s economy. i2E receives state support from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology and is an integral part of Oklahoma’s Innovation Model.
Want to know more about our investment funds?
Venture Advisory Services
- What we do
- Our Venture Advisors
- Client Portfolio
- SBIR/STTR Funding Programs
- Grant Funding Services
- Venture Assessment Program
- Evaluate the potential of new concepts through a rigorous venture assessment process to determine product-market fit
- Assist with development of business plans, evaluation of marketing plans and assessment of capital needs
- Provide guidance in building a management team, choosing an optimal business structure and creating financial forecasting
- Assist with developing an effective investor presentation
- Assist in obtaining non-dilutive funding through federal and state funding sources or private investment
- Work with universities to encourage commercialization of university-based innovation
- Provide assistance in raising capital
- Make equity and near equity investments to help start new companies and grow existing companies
Our venture advisors who collaborate with and mentor entrepreneurs are central to i2E’s mission. These experienced professionals work closely with each client, coaching them from initial technology development, business planning and positioning for funding, all the way through to company launch and growth.
i2E Venture Advisors:
Mark Lauinger– SVP, Client Services
Carol Curtis | Rick Rainey | Malachi Blankenship | Stacey Brandhorst
i2E has provided its services to more than 700 Oklahoma-based startups from a variety of industries.
Our CLIENT PORTFOLIO has attracted $812 million in private investment from banks, venture capital funds, angel investors and other strategic investors.
The Oklahoma Small Business Research Assistance (SBRA) program offers the best resources in the nation to help you successfully compete for SBIR/STTR funding.
Each year the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding programs award approximately $2.5 billion in non-dilutive funding to small, high-tech, innovative businesses.
i2E works closely with the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) who administers the following state grant programs:
Oklahoma Applied Research Support (OARS) Grant
The Oklahoma Applied Research Support program helps universities, foundations and businesses fund cutting-edge research that will benefit Oklahoma’s economy.
Oklahoma Health Research Program (OHR)
The Oklahoma Health Research Program competitively awards seed funds for research projects related to human health to Oklahoma universities and colleges, non-profit research foundations and commercial companies in Oklahoma.
And OCAST provides both financial support and expertise to help qualifying firms develop their federal proposals through its SBIR/STTR support program:
Small Business Innovative Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR)
SBIR and STTR are competitively awarded federal programs designed to stimulate technological innovation and provide opportunities for small businesses.
The Venture Assessment Program (VAP) helps entrepreneurs perform market analysis and investigate the commercial opportunity of their business. This is a three week program designed to investigate the product-market fit and business opportunity of a startup including:
- Assessment of market needs
- Determination of potential market(s) and market size
- Identify market barriers
- Identify preliminary distribution channels
- Identify market trends and competitors
- Estimate preliminary profit potential
Do you have an innovative idea?
Contacting i2E is the first step down the path to unlocking your potential as an entrepreneur.
We have the right people with the right tools and connections to guide you on your journey.
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Oklahoma’s Source for Investment Capital
The State of Oklahoma, through two funds managed by i2E, helps companies bridge the investment gap and leverage other private and institutional sources of capital. i2E teamed with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the U.S. Treasury Department to expand the access to capital sources offered to Oklahoma entrepreneurs with the Accelerate Oklahoma Fund.
Accelerate Oklahoma! Fund
As a part of the federal States Small Business Credit Initiative, this U.S. Treasury funded initiative offers funds that provide critical capital and co-investment for Oklahoma entrepreneurs at specific stages of their companies’ lifecycles. Investment terms are typically convertible debt or preferred equity.
Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund
The Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund is a state supported investment fund that provides concept, seed and start-up equity investments to the state’s innovative businesses. The fund looks for opportunities that show promise of rapid growth in terms of revenue, increased employment and increased private investment capital.
SeedStep Angels
SeedStep Angels is a wide network of accredited angel investors that provide capital, strategic advice and mentoring to emerging growth companies to help them achieve market leadership. This network can expose entrepreneurs to a wide set of potential investors, and the process facilitates efficient investment decisions.
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Great story from the Tulsa World: Tulsa manufacturing company awarded state's 10th NASA research grant in the last… https://t.co/YXbvKip4xq
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NASA awards SBIR contract to Tulsa's Infinite Composites to test its composite materials in the harsh environments… https://t.co/25pRzenO2S
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RT @James_Stafford : I’m in Norman with @OCAST at Global Conference on Educational Robotics, produced by KISS Institute for Practical Roboti…
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RT @OkVentureForum : OKC-based Progentec Diagnostics refines test to predict future lupus flares https://t.co/OawnMPcici https://t.co/vnJgBG …
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@DurantDemocrat Free GrowOK workshop for rural and tribal entrepreneurs set for Durant, McAlester on July 18-19.… https://t.co/2QdFILzf7C
Entrepreneurial Development
Building tomorrow's business leaders...
i2E provides several programs aimed toward strengthening talent and enhancing skill sets to develop more serial entrepreneurs.
- Statewide Collegiate Business Plan Competition
- Office of Entrepreneurial Development
- Educational Events
Scroll to Meet our Team
Scott Meacham
President and CEO
Rex Smitherman
Senior VP of Operations
Sarah Seagraves
Senior VP of Marketing
Mark Lauinger
Senior VP of Client Services
Ryan Cargill
Vice President of Business Development
Tom Francis
Director of Funds Administration
Judy Beech, CPA
Director of Finance
Richard Rainey
Venture Advisor, Director of SBRA Program
Carol Curtis, PhD
Venture Advisor, Director of Academic Research Assessment
Stacey Brandhorst
Venture Advisor, Director of Venture Outreach
Darcy Wilborn
Client Engagement Director
Malachi Blankenship
Business Development Manager and Venture Advisor
Melissa Kempkes
Investment Portfolio Manager
Cindy Henson
Underwriting Coordinator, Investment Compliance Officer
Katelynn Henderson
Event Specialist
Shaun O’Fair
Underwriting Specialist
Jennifer Buettner
Executive Assistant
Featured Article
Latest Entrepreneurial News
Find out what's happening in Oklahoma's business community and other interesting entrepreneurial ventures.
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