On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, the second cohort of Bridge2 founders took the stage at Tulsa’s Agora Event Center for Demo Day. Hosted by i2E and sponsored by the Oklahoma Center for Advancement of Science & Technology (OCAST) and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, this event showcased five new startups in the Oklahoma venture ecosystem.
Bridge2 is an 8-week pre-accelerator program designed to nurture tech-enabled startups across Oklahoma, providing them with the resources, mentorship, and exposure to prepare their companies for Oklahoma-based accelerator programs and to pursue funding from private and public investment sources. Participants in the program engaged in weekly workshops and coaching calls, refining their revenue models, competitive strategies, and customer acquisition. With a $50,000 convertible note and personalized founder mentorship, Bridge2 lays the foundation for entrepreneurs to thrive in a competitive landscape.
“As a business, there’s a balance between what you know and things that are learned through ‘trial by fire.’ Being a part of Bridge2 enabled us to learn some of the things that we hadn’t been told, like how venture capital firms look at funding startups,” said Kemi Levi, co-founder and CEO of participating startup Pangia. “The other side of it is experiential. Being able to meet new founders, get access to different connections, and grow your own network is something that is always amazing.”
The second cohort featured a diverse array of companies, each addressing unique challenges across various industries.
ViziSmart: Transforming Property Management with AI
Bianca Pietersz and Mirna Baloul introduced ViziSmart, a groundbreaking platform that leverages AI to streamline property management. ViziSmart automates tenant communication, providing immediate responses around the clock and features such as automated maintenance scheduling and intelligent analytics to identify issues early. This innovation not only enhances tenant satisfaction but also enables property managers to handle more properties with fewer resources.
Patient Inform: Enhancing Transparency in Emergency Healthcare
Dr. John Westlake presented Patient Inform, a platform that revolutionizes the emergency healthcare experience by providing real-time updates and transparent communication to patients and their families. Utilizing advanced AI technology, Patient Inform aims to reduce the stress and uncertainty often associated with emergency medical visits, ultimately improving patient satisfaction and operational efficiency within healthcare facilities.
Balynce: A New Approach to Financial Wellness
Ryan Dudley’s Balynce is set to change the way Americans manage their finances. By integrating Buy Now Pay Later services, traditional credit cards, and budgeting tools, Balynce encourages users to adopt healthier spending and saving habits. This innovative approach promotes financial well-being and stability.
Pangia: Empowering Community Management
Kemi Levi, Hannah Clark, and Nassir Mohamud introduced Pangia, a comprehensive community management platform designed to foster highly engaged, data-driven communities. With features like chats and channels, engagement prompts, member matching, and event ticketing, Pangia simplifies community management and helps build thriving networks effortlessly.
Dose Calc App: Ensuring Accurate Medication Dosages
Latoya Smith, RN presented Dose Calc App, a vital tool in the Future of Work movement focused on the healthcare sector. Designed to address the nurse labor shortage and reduce medication errors, Dose Calc App provides educators and practitioners with the tools to enhance their dosage calculation skills. This app ensures every patient receives the correct medication dosage, significantly improving patient safety.
A Bright Future for Oklahoma Startups
The Bridge2 Demo Day not only highlighted the innovative solutions of these five startups, but also underscored the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit thriving in Oklahoma. The event was a testament to the collaborative effort of organizations like i2E, OCAST, and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber in fostering a supportive ecosystem for startups.
“The talent and innovation we witnessed at Demo Day were truly inspiring. It’s clear that Oklahoma is continuing to grow as a major hub for technology startups, becoming bigger and better each year,” Srijita Ghosh, Venture Advisor at i2E, said.
