Skip to content
i2E
  • Programs
    • For Startups
      • E3
      • Bridge2
      • OCN
    • For Students
      • Entrepreneur’s Cup
    • For Corporations
    • For Investors
  • Client Portfolio
  • About
    • Our Values
    • Meet Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Corporate Partners
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Programs
    • For Startups
      • E3
      • Bridge2
      • OCN
    • For Students
      • Entrepreneur’s Cup
    • For Corporations
    • For Investors
  • Client Portfolio
  • About
    • Our Values
    • Meet Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Corporate Partners
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Media
Search

Celebrating 25 Years Supporting Innovation

Get in Touch

As I reflect on the past two and a half decades, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the journey that i2E has embarked upon. Our 25th anniversary is not just a milestone – it’s a testament to the unwavering dedication of a community committed to innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.

To mark this important occasion, we recently held an event that brought together many of our partners, entrepreneurs, supporters, and friends. It was an evening of celebration and a look forward to the bright future that lies ahead.

Acknowledging Our Achievements

Over the years, i2E has nurtured countless startups, mentored aspiring entrepreneurs, and witnessed groundbreaking innovations that have changed the face of Oklahoma’s economy.

During the 25th anniversary event, we had the privilege of acknowledging some of the milestones we’ve achieved. These statistics are more than just numbers; they represent lives impacted, dreams realized, and communities strengthened.

  • 800 Oklahoma companies supported: Thank you to all the entrepreneurs who partnered with us to evaluate and commercialize their ideas. These companies span numerous industries such as software/IT, healthcare services and devices, energy and environment, manufacturing, and biotechnology.
  • 400 investments in 236 companies: i2E has managed nine early-stage and growth investment funds that have allowed us to invest over $93 million in promising businesses to help them start up and scale up.
  • Funded the state’s first “unicorn”: i2E made an initial proof-of-concept investment in Alkami Technology through the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) Technology Business Finance Program and was one of the first equity investors through the state’s Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund. Alkami was later valued at over $3 billion, making it the state of Oklahoma’s first “unicorn” company.
  • $1.2 billion in private capital raised: This demonstrates a $23-to-$1 ratio of private capital for every dollar of state funding invested in our services. These funds have contributed to the creation of thousands of jobs in our state.

The 25th anniversary event was also an opportunity to honor those who have played a vital role in making these numbers a reality. It was good to see familiar faces, from our dedicated team members to our ever-supportive partners, all sharing in our collective accomplishments.

Looking Ahead with Optimism

As we celebrated our past, we also cast our eyes toward the future. i2E’s commitment to driving economic growth in Oklahoma remains as strong as ever. We see a state that continues to evolve into a hub of entrepreneurship, a place where dreams thrive, and innovation is unlimited.

Our 25th anniversary is not just a reflection on the past but a celebration of all the possibilities in store. With every startup we nurture, every program we provide, and every innovative idea we support, we contribute to the legacy of a thriving, forward-thinking Oklahoma.

Here’s to the next 25 years, filled with even more incredible work helping to build, launch and grow great ideas.

Rex Smitherman
President, i2E

More News

Loading...
Blog, Featured, News
12.16.24

MidAmerica and i2E Announce Award Winners

Read more
Blog, Featured, News
11.21.24

i2E & Plains Ventures Surpasses $100M Milestone in Total Investments

Read more
Blog
09.30.24

i2E Receives 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Award from IEDC

Read more
Blog
06.18.24

Bridge2 Demo Day Returns, Highlighting Promising Oklahoma Startups

Read more
Blog, Entrepreneur's Cup Featured, Entrepreneur's Cup News
05.13.24

Student Entrepreneurs Triumph at 20th Anniversary Entrepreneur’s Cup, Winning $158,000 in Prizes

Read more
Default Featured Image
Blog, Entrepreneur's Cup News
04.24.24

Beyond the Cup: Tracking Success Stories from the Entrepreneur’s Cup Series – Jessica Kinsey

Read more
Default Featured Image
Blog, Entrepreneur's Cup News
04.23.24

Beyond the Cup: Tracking Success Stories from the Entrepreneur’s Cup Series – Nathan Fountain

Read more
Default Featured Image
Blog, Entrepreneur's Cup Featured, Entrepreneur's Cup News
04.23.24

Beyond the Cup: Tracking Success Stories from the Entrepreneur’s Cup Series – Srijita Ghosh

Read more
Default Featured Image
Blog, Entrepreneur's Cup Featured, Entrepreneur's Cup News
04.18.24

Beyond the Cup: Tracking Success Stories from the Entrepreneur’s Cup Series – MaxQ

Read more
Blog, i2E
01.30.24

i2E Celebrates Success of Inaugural Bridge2 Demo Day

Read more
Blog, i2E, News
12.18.23

i2E and MidAmerica Industrial Park announce award winners for high school entrepreneurship program

Read more
Blog, i2E
12.13.23

Entrepreneur’s Cup Marks 20 Years: Reimagined Competition and Brand – Same Entrepreneurial Spirit

Read more
i2E

Oklahoma City Office

201 Robert S Kerr Ave, Suite 600
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
+1 (405) 235.2305

Tulsa Office

12 N. Cheyenne Ave, Suite 112
Tulsa, OK 74103
+1 (918) 582.5592

  • Client Portfolio
  • About Us
  • Media
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Resources
  • Funding
  • Venture Advisory

© 2025 i2E Privacy Policy

Follow us:

Linkedin Twitter Facebook Instagram Youtube

Programs

  • For Startups
    • E3
    • Bridge2
    • OCN
  • For Students
    • Entrepreneur’s Cup
  • For Corporations
  • For Investors
  • For Startups
    • E3
    • Bridge2
    • OCN
  • For Students
    • Entrepreneur’s Cup
  • For Corporations
  • For Investors
  • Client Portfolio

Services

  • Access to Funding
  • Venture Advisory Services
  • Events
  • Contact
  • About
  • Our Values
  • Our Team
  • Board of Directors
  • Corporate Partners
  • Media
i2E