About i2E

i2E is a nonprofit that helps turn early ideas into innovation-driven, scalable companies that strengthen Oklahoma’s economy.

We work with founders at the earliest stages, providing the structure, guidance, and connections that prepare them for growth and investment.

Who We Are

For more than 25 years, i2E has been Oklahoma’s onramp for early-stage innovation.

What makes i2E different is where we focus: the earliest, hardest stage, when an idea needs structure more than capital, and when the right guidance can make the difference between a company that grows and one that never gets started.

i2E receives state support from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) and is an integral part of Oklahoma’s Innovation Model.

Our Story

Founded in 1998 as the Oklahoma Technology Commercialization Center, i2E was created in response to bipartisan efforts to diversify Oklahoma’s economy beyond oil and gas by supporting emerging technology and innovation.

Originally focused on helping commercialize research and guide early-stage startups, the organization evolved alongside the state’s growing innovation ecosystem and was renamed i2E (Innovation to Enterprise) in 2004 to better reflect its mission of supporting high-growth companies.

In 2019, i2E separated its investment activities to form Plains Ventures, an independent venture capital firm, while i2E continued its nonprofit mission of helping entrepreneurs and scalable startups build, launch, and grow in Oklahoma.

How We're Different

Most organizations fund or accelerate startups. i2E prepares them to be ready for both.

We connect companies to capital without being the capital. Plains Ventures, our investment arm, handles investing. i2E builds the pipeline that gets founders there.

With offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa and a robust regional network of organizations, i2E supports founders, students, and organizations statewide, building on what exists rather than duplicating it.

Who We Serve

Founders

Building innovation-driven, scalable companies, from the earliest idea through investment readiness.

Students

Exploring entrepreneurship through experiential learning, competition, and real-world skill building.

Partners

Universities, economic development organizations, and corporations supporting founders and innovation across Oklahoma.

Our Values

At i2E, we hold ourselves to the same standard we bring to every founder relationship: honest, objective, and accountable. We give clear, well-intentioned advice rooted in data and decades of experience.

We measure our success by the success of the companies, students, and communities we serve.

And we stay committed to helping ensure the next great ideas, businesses, and leaders in Oklahoma make it to market.