i2E Receives 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Bronze Award from the International Economic Development Council
IEDC’s annual Excellence Awards honor the economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the profession
i2E, Inc. received a 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Bronze Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The award was bestowed specifically for the organization’s work in the Entrepreneurial & Small Business Development category that impacted over 4 million residents. Srijita Ghosh, Venture Advisor at i2E, Inc. was acknowledged and honored at the IEDC 2024 Annual Conference in Denver, CO, September 15-18.
“i2E is setting the standard of excellence for economic development with its E3 Bootcamp program. This award highlights i2E’s commitment to its community and demonstrates the transformative impact of economic development,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO, “It is with great pride that IEDC presents this award to i2E, celebrating their leadership and innovation in the field of economic development.”
“We are absolutely thrilled to announce this year’s award winners. These exceptional projects showcase remarkable dedication and ingenuity within the field,” said Kevin Kramer, Chair of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards Advisory Committee. “i2E’s contributions will leave a lasting impact and demonstrate its commitment to creating positive change for its residents.”
Every year IEDC looks specifically for economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities, and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development.
“At i2E, we are deeply honored to receive the 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Bronze Award from IEDC,” said Rex Smitherman, President at i2E, Inc. “This recognition underscores the importance of fostering entrepreneurial growth in Oklahoma and highlights the impact of programs like our E3 Bootcamp in shaping a resilient, innovative, and thriving business community. We remain committed to driving economic development and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs in our state.”
The E3 program, which stands for Evaluate, Equip, Empower, helps entrepreneurs evaluate opportunities, equips them with tools to launch, and empowers them to create high-growth companies.
This six-week bootcamp created in 2015 began as an in-person workshop series for “idea-on-a-napkin”, concept-stage companies in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. In March 2020, it transitioned to a virtual format via Zoom, expanding accessibility statewide. The twofold goal of E3 is to help entrepreneurs validate their ideas before investing significant resources and to enable i2E to identify promising concepts and founders for further support. E3 is supported by both The Oklahoma Commercialization Network, powered by the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST), and the Greater OKC Chamber.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in the full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When IEDC succeeds, its members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at www.iedconline.org today!
