Oklahoma Venture Forum Podcast Oklahoma Venture Forum

OVF is coming to Tulsa on 10/11/23 with a panel discussion focused on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) small business incentive funding. The panelists will be Tracey Poole, Managing Partner at 46Venture Capital along with Sean Templemore-Finlayson, Vice President of the Oklahoma Life Science Fund and Rose Washington-Jones, CEO/Executive Director of TEDC Creative Capital. https://ovf.org/Attend-OVF

On this episode, we talk with Tracy Poole, an attorney with over 25 years of experience in complex commercial transactions, M&A, financing, energy and venture capital disciplines. Poole was corporate and outside counsel to leading energy marketing and trading companies and helped close some of the largest wholesale energy transactions in existence. He is the former General Counsel of an energy-related hedge fund and the founder of an independent upstream oil and gas producer. https://www.46.capital

Register now to attend or to watch via Zoom at https://ovf.org/event-5366650?CalendarViewType=0&SelectedDate=9/27/2023

The Oklahoma Venture Forum (OVF) is the state’s preeminent organization fostering innovation and economic growth. We introduce investors, mentors and support organizations to entrepreneurs, providing collaborative venues for sharing ideas. OVF champions small businesses and economic development by connecting and recognizing venture talents. Since our beginning, we have acted as the preeminent ecosystem for business innovation and entrepreneurship development. Our diverse membership includes investors, entrepreneurs, and service providers from a wide array of statewide industries. https://ovf.org

Apexloads is a cloud-based freight marketplace that connects cargo owners with transporters to streamline the freight-truck matching process and facilitate faster payments. Apexloads has adopted industry-proven solutions from developed markets (USA), implementing them in Africa and other developing regions. https://apexloads.com/

Charles Thuo was born and raised in Kenya. He came to the United States for school, starting with an associate's degree in general engineering technology from OSU-OKC. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and went back to school at OU for his Bachelor's in Aerospace and U.S. Army Engineer school at Ft. Leonard Wood for combat engineering. He has worked in aerospace at Cessna in Wichita and Boeing defense in Midwest City. Charles came with Apexloads after comparing logistics operations in Africa and the United States.

Charles will be pitching Apexloads at the September 13th, 2023 OVF luncheon. Register now to attend or to watch via Zoom at https://ovf.org/event-5367030

The Oklahoma Venture Forum (OVF) is the state’s preeminent organization fostering innovation and economic growth. We introduce investors, mentors and support organizations to entrepreneurs, providing collaborative venues for sharing ideas. OVF champions small businesses and economic development by connecting and recognizing venture talents. Since our beginning, we have acted as the preeminent ecosystem for business innovation and entrepreneurship development. Our diverse membership includes investors, entrepreneurs, and service providers from a wide array of statewide industries. ⁠⁠⁠www.OVF.org

The September 13th, 2023 Power Lunch presenter is Drew Hendricks, Regional Engagement Principal for the Oklahoma City office of the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN). A relatively new initiative of the DoD, NSIN offers VC-style funding to potential dual-use (civilian and national security) small companies (under 500 EEs). NSIN is an unrivaled problem-solving network in the U.S. Department of Defense that adapts to the emerging needs of those who serve in the defense of our national security. Dedicated to the work of bringing together defense, academic and entrepreneurial innovators to solve national security problems in new ways.

Drew Hendricks is a consumer and media researcher, business strategist, and communication professional with 16 years of proven ability to collaborate with multiple levels of management and diverse cultural audiences. He possesses a comprehensive background in public relations, journalism, brand management, media theory and communication strategy with specialized training in advertising, content creation, consumer insight development and project management.

Please register to attend at https://ovf.org/event-5367030/Registration

The Oklahoma Venture Forum (OVF) is the state’s preeminent organization fostering innovation and economic growth. We introduce investors, mentors and support organizations to entrepreneurs, providing collaborative venues for sharing ideas. OVF champions small businesses and economic development by connecting and recognizing venture talents. Since our beginning, we have acted as the preeminent ecosystem for business innovation and entrepreneurship development. Our diverse membership includes investors, entrepreneurs, and service providers from a wide array of statewide industries. ⁠⁠www.OVF.org

Dr. Craig Shimasaki is co-founder and CEO of Moleculera Labs, the 2016 "Venture of the Year" award winner. Moleculera Labs provides next-generation antibody tests that detect whether an autoimmune reaction is causing neurologic or psychiatric symptoms. The company is dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults impacted by infection-induced autoimmune diseases affecting the brain. Shimasaki provides insights into how winning two of the most prestigious business awards from the Oklahoma Venture Forum (OVF) provided needed attention and outside validation for Moleculera Labs, along with an update on what the company is doing now and soon (big news coming, but not ready to announce yet). www.moleculeralabs.com



The 2023 Oklahoma Venture Forum Awards are on May 18th, 2023. Along with the Most Promising New Venture award, OVF will be awarding top prizes for Venture of the Year, Entrepreneurial Champion Award, and the Award for Economic Impact. The keynote speaker will be Mike Beckham, CEO of Simple Modern. More information and tickets are available at ⁠www.OVF.org/OVF-Awards⁠. OVF is the state’s preeminent organization fostering innovation and economic growth. We introduce investors, mentors and support organizations to entrepreneurs, providing collaborative venues for sharing ideas. OVF champions small businesses and economic development by connecting and recognizing venture talents. Since our beginning, we have acted as the preeminent ecosystem for business innovation and entrepreneurship development. Our diverse membership includes investors, entrepreneurs, and service providers from a wide array of statewide industries. ⁠⁠www.OVF.org

Allison Watkins is the Founder and CEO Watkins-Conti Products, Inc. the 2021 "Most Promising New Venture" award winner. On this episode, we hear from Watkins what her company has achieved since 2021, how winning the Most Promising New Venture award benefited her pursuit of success and what advice she has for up-and-coming entrepreneurs looking to make a mark of their own. The 2023 Oklahoma Venture Forum Awards are on May 18th, 2023. Along with the Most Promising New Venture award, OVF will be awarding top prizes for Venture of the Year, Entrepreneurial Champion Award, and the Award for Economic Impact. The keynote speaker will be Mike Beckham, CEO of Simple Modern. More information and tickets are available at www.OVF.org/OVF-Awards.



The Oklahoma Venture Forum (OVF) is the state’s preeminent organization fostering innovation and economic growth. We introduce investors, mentors and support organizations to entrepreneurs, providing collaborative venues for sharing ideas. OVF champions small businesses and economic development by connecting and recognizing venture talents. Since our beginning, we have acted as the preeminent ecosystem for business innovation and entrepreneurship development. Our diverse membership includes investors, entrepreneurs, and service providers from a wide array of statewide industries. ⁠www.OVF.org

The 2023 Oklahoma Venture Forum Economic Impact Award winner is the Cattlemen's Congress, a 16-day annual event for breeders across North America to showcase their top genetics and connect with fellow beef producers in Oklahoma City, the heart of cattle country. The Cattlemen's Congress was formed in the fall of 2020 to present an opportunity for cattlemen and women across North America to exhibit their cattle and showcase the highest quality genetics the cattle industry can offer. In each of the event's first two years, $10M of cattle were sold on the OKC Fairgrounds, and the entire state benefited from an estimated $40M in economic impact. https://cattlemenscongress.com/

We discuss how the Cattlemen's Congress came to be in Oklahoma City with Bray Haven, Executive Vice President. Haven gives us insights and background into the magnitude of the Cattleman's Congress and the public/private partnership that brought the inaugural event to OKC. We also discuss the cascade effect of people, trucks and 10,000 head of cattle coming into Oklahoma from all over the US and beyond. The Cattleman's Congress and the economic benefits it creates has found a forever home here in Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma Venture Forum (OVF) is the state’s preeminent organization fostering innovation and economic growth. We introduce investors, mentors and support organizations to entrepreneurs, providing collaborative venues for sharing ideas. OVF champions small businesses and economic development by connecting and recognizing venture talents. Since our beginning, we have acted as the preeminent ecosystem for business innovation and entrepreneurship development. Our diverse membership includes investors, entrepreneurs, and service providers from a wide array of statewide industries. www.OVF.org