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

Entrepreneurship in government: Creating new possibilities

Get in Touch

By Chad Mullen and Ed Long
Copyright © 2017, The Oklahoma Publishing Company

Even in times of economic prosperity, state agencies in Oklahoma may not have the resources to develop and launch innovative tools for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery and program administration. Fortunately, cross-sector collaboration makes it possible for state government to partner with entrepreneurs and innovative thinkers to create win-win relationships — benefiting the partners directly involved and the entire state.

Creative Oklahoma and Cross-Sector Innovations have partnered to showcase pioneering social innovation initiatives in Oklahoma, as well as opportunities for creative collaboration among business, government and nonprofits. One example with tremendous potential is partnership between the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) and i2E, Inc. to explore the development of mutually beneficial cross-sector relationships.

For example, state leaders can readily identify areas where a technological innovation could spur administrative or service delivery efficiencies and improve outcomes if resources for development were available. The process of developing, testing and refining new technology bears some risk and typically includes a few failed starts — risks not typically borne using taxpayer dollars.

By facilitating dialogue among state agency leaders and entrepreneurs and exploring common interests, solutions can be developed that address challenges faced by government and result in a future return for the developer though broader scale distribution. The implementation phase allows for feedback from end users and an opportunity for refinement by the developer. This model is also being used to drive change in cities across the nation.

From the perspective of state government, these partnerships offer tremendous potential for streamlining processes, improving outcomes and saving taxpayer dollars. New resources and out-of-industry thinking provide capacity that doesn’t exist at the scale needed. Beyond agency walls, increased social innovation and entrepreneurship contribute to economic development and the growing startup culture in our state.

Though not all challenges faced by government will be a fit for this type of cross-sector collaboration, the engagement of public- and private-sector thought leaders to identify opportunities for doing business is beneficial for all Oklahomans. To be clear, this particular model isn’t about privatization of services. Rather, it’s based on private-sector development of innovative tools and technology that can be used by government. Resources are pooled and scaled in practical ways that promote cutting-edge advancements and reduce government spending.

Oklahoma has an abundance of resources yet to be tapped, and has the opportunity to serve as a national model for working across sectors to leverage innovation and creativity. We look forward to hearing your comments, suggestions and ideas as we work together to make Oklahoma stronger. Join the discussion at http://stateofcreativity.com/blog/.

Mullen is OCAST’s director of government relations and strategic initiatives. Long is principal of Oklahoma City-based Cross-Sector Innovations.

 Read the article at newsok.com

More News

Loading...
Blog, Featured, News
06.25.25

i2E Showcases Startup Innovation at Bridge2 Cohort 3 Demo Day

Read more
Blog, Entrepreneur's Cup Featured, Entrepreneur's Cup News
04.25.25

Oklahoma Collegiate Entrepreneurs Take Home Over $167K at Entrepreneur’s Cup

Read more
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
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