Oliver Shafaat
Sci-Lume Labs

Oliver Shafaat is the founder and CEO of Sci-Lume Labs™, where he conceived of and leads the development of Bylon™ polymer, fibers, and yarns. He received his PhD from Caltech, working at the crossroads of chemistry, biochemistry and biology. After, he moved to Japan and worked for a biotech where he discovered his love for fibers, while also noting that the significant demand for sustainable alternatives to synthetic fibers by the apparel industry was not being satisfied. He decided to leverage his chemical expertise to bring truly sustainable, drop-in replacement fibers to the apparel market. Sci-Lume Labs develops Bylon, the truly circular apparel fiber without compromise. Bylon is made using highly efficient chemistries to transform agricultural waste into its renewable feedstock. Bylon is a thermoplastic polymer that can drop into existing synthetic fiber manufacturing facilities. At end-of-life, Bylon is 100% recyclable and biodegradable. Finally, Bylon offers familiar performance versatility and seamless integration into conventional downstream yarn and textile processing. By selectively combining the best of natural and synthetic fiber properties into a single product, Bylon is uniquely capable of achieving the large-scale adoption needed to enable a circular apparel future. With Bylon, apparel brands and manufacturers can now meet their sustainability targets without compromising on cost or performance.

Register to attend November 2024 Power Pitch Lunch

Gina Bertoletti
Moore Norman Technology Center

Talen Shortages and small business.

Small businesses have always been challenged with persuading employees to work for them. Large businesses create strong competition with bigger benefits/pay packages, perks, and established cultures that entice talent to apply.

In addition to these longstanding challenges, small businesses now face exaggerated employment issues such as employee turnover, elevated wages, and loss of critical workforce.  I assert that small businesses who put innovation at the helm, may have an edge after all!

Be creative in recruitment efforts.

• Allow remote work when it makes sense to do so. Doing this allows you to expand your talent pool from out of state allowing a broader range of talent to apply.
• Allow for flexible work schedules to accommodate family needs. Allow the employees to choose how they want to be paid for O.T . either cash or comp time.
• Broaden the selection process to include those who have been justice involved.
• JP Morgan hires approximately 10% of their hires from this category.
• Consider recruiting veterans or employees with disabilities.

The Oklahoma Rehabilitation services is a great place to start. WWW.okdrs.gov.

• Consider an employee referral program that rewards with cash.
• Post open positions on the following Central Oklahoma Social Media sites: Facebook & LinkedIn
• OKC Jobs Hiring—25K followers
• OKC Area Jobs—22K followers
• OKC Jobs—76K followers
• OKC/Edmond Jobs—23K followers
• Find a Job in OKC—17K followers
• Central OK Area Jobs—9.5K followers

Thank you for your commitment to OVF.  We look forward to connecting to you!

Register to attend November 2024 Power Pitch Lunch

Rustin Cavel | Coast

The fabric of finance is radically changing, and consumers need new tools to navigate the nuances of managing new asset classes. Coast connects the worlds of DeFi and TradFi enabling consumers to integrate digital assets (cryptocurrencies, NFTs, etc.) into a comprehensive financial plan. 

Rustin Cavel has been working in startups for over six years.  He graduated from the University of Texas with a Finance degree, is a self-taught application developer, and has been working full time in the blockchain industry for over 2 years.

He is passionate about helping people improve their financial well-being and leveraging technology to do so at scale. As blockchain technology continues to be adopted worldwide, he believes we've reached an inflection point that will change the way people interact and transact digitally. He and his co-founder at Coast seek to empower consumers to navigate the nuances of personal finance in a modern era of finance.

 https://www.getcoast.io 

Marten Hillen | Weaver Labs

Marten Hillen is a water sector leader with 15 years of global experience across Europe, Asia, and North America. Marten has a Civil Engineering Masters from Delft University of Technology (NL) and a MBA from Oklahoma State University (US). In his previous role he was responsible for marketing a proprietary wastewater treatment technology across the Americas. 

At Weaver Labs our vision is to create technologies and inspire innovations so that our environment and communities flourish. We aim to make water PFAS free. With our proprietary Flour Mop technology we provide a superior sorbent for efficient detection and advanced removal of long- and short chain PFAS contaminants. 

https://weaver-labs.com/ 

Chris Willis | Gogolean

Resilient, Agile and Sustainable All-In-One Cross-Sector, Industry, and Enterprise Supply Chain Management for Commercial Construction and Real Estate Management integrating Fleet Management, Third-Party Logistics and Warehousing and Insurance with Green Energy for the Industrial Future.

 Christopher B. Willis is the visionary founder and CEO of LeanEquip Systems, and its subsidiary, Gogolean Supply Chain Intelligence, a revolutionary B2B2C all-in-one business and industry iOS and Android mobile marketplace with cutting edge enterprise supply chain management technology for Commercial Construction and Real Estate Management stakeholders and partners for optimal results.

Under his leadership, the LeanEquip and Gogolean App development was bootstrapped financed by offshoring software development to the Philippines. A strategic pivot to Gogolean Supply Chain Ecosystem Intelligence was made based upon acquisition inquires of LeanEquip. Using the LeanEquip sourcing code, continuous improvements and integration were made for building the Gogolean Ecosystem platform, business execution and strategy.

Gogolean Supply Chain Intelligence is the ‘Construction Tech Review’ Magazine’s ‘Construction Tech App of 2023’ Cover Story:

Top Construction Mobile Apps Companies (constructiontechreview.com)

Gogolean, a LeanEquip Systems Company | Top Construction Mobile Apps Company-2023 (constructiontechreview.com)

Gogolean Supply Chain Intelligence, A LeanEquip Systems Company started as a haunch with no available data for supporting the idea of digital supply chain future. Recently, Gogolean Supply Chain Intelligence received a private equity inquiry from a Web3 family office/tech company but was not a fit as they acknowledged our initial offshore strategy was the best. Now digital supply chain transformation is essential given recent business, industry and supply chain issues as Gartner Research forecasts 80% B2B procurement will by digital by 2025 with marketplaces being the primary driver for servicing the customer.

For complete information, value-added video demos, blog registration, and investor relations, visit our website: https://gogolean.io.

Alex Baird | Beacon

Beacon is a B2B SaaS platform that helps businesses transform their best parking spaces into premium assets that generate new streams of revenue, support local nonprofits, and drive repeat visits from top customers. Our mission is to transform the humble parking space from a commodity into a convenience, from a convenience into an experience, and from an experience into a community. 

Alex Baird is the Founder and CEO of Beacon. Alex graduated from Norwich University in 2012 as a Second Lieutenant and served as a pilot in the United States Air Force flying the E-3 AWACS at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. He has deployed on combat operations to Iraq and Syria, most notably during the Russian Syrian Military Intervention of 2015.

After leaving the service, he used his long-time frustration with the crowded and disorganized parking at Tinker Air Force Base to found Beacon, a company on a mission to reshape the way we think about parking in the 21st century.

https://www.gobeacon.us

^{Founded in 2023, Patient Inform is a healthcare technology company dedicated to transforming the emergency room experience. With over 20 years of healthcare experience, our platform leverages advanced AI and machine learning to provide real-time updates and personalized communication, reducing patient anxiety and improving operational efficiency. We aim to put patients back at the center of care while enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery nationwide.}

^{Patient Inform offers a cutting-edge platform that integrates seamlessly with existing hospital systems, providing patients with real-time updates on wait times and treatment progress. Our solution is designed to enhance patient satisfaction, reduce wait times, and alleviate the operational burdens on healthcare staff. Through personalized communication and data-driven insights, Patient Inform ensures that patients are well-informed and engaged throughout their healthcare journey, leading to better outcomes and higher satisfaction rates.}

^{Patient Inform is committed to making healthcare more transparent, efficient, and patient-centered, ensuring that every patient receives the care and attention they deserve.}

^{Patient Inform is a comprehensive platform designed to enhance the patient experience in emergency rooms through real-time communication and operational efficiency. The platform integrates with existing hospital systems, utilizing advanced AI and machine learning to provide patients with real-time updates on wait times and care progress. This ensures that patients remain informed and engaged throughout their care journey, reducing anxiety and improving overall satisfaction. Additionally, healthcare providers benefit from streamlined processes and reduced administrative burdens, allowing them to focus more on patient care.}

 ^ATTEND

Empowering Oklahoma’s Manufacturing Future
Spotlight on Joe Edmondson

Being an entrepreneur means living the American Dream. According to HubSpot, 92% of entrepreneurs don’t regret starting their own business. Fortunately, Oklahoma is rich with small business resources such as Incubators, Networking opportunities, and partners like the SBDC, The Verge, and I2E.

Oklahoma provides some of the best resources such as the Tom Love innovation Hub which has a fabrication lab to support prototypes, OCAST provides see capital, Incubators that include on site advisement are worth their weight in gold, and of course the list of business coaches and mentors are abundant in our state, most of which do not charge a fee.

Utilizing resources in the beginning stages of the business allows owners to focus on growth. Being connected to other entrepreneurs and listening to their stories helps with connection and finding best practices. Seek networking opportunities and keep innovating! The American dream is alive and well in Oklahoma!

ATTEND

James Denton, Partner Emeritus/Wealth Management Advisor 
Arledge

JAMES S. DENTON, CPA/PFS, CGMA

Partner Emeritus/Wealth Management Advisor (formerly Managing Shareholder/President/CEO)

Arledge & Associates, P.C. (Certified Public Accountants) Edmond, Oklahoma (405) 348-0615, (405) 823-0793, jim.denton@arledge.cpa

Background, Education and Career:

Jim is originally from Ponca City, Oklahoma and graduated from Ponca City High School in 1976. While in high school, he served as high school orchestra president. He was selected all-state orchestra member his last two years and worked in school leadership positions. Throughout secondary school, he also led activities (volunteer organizations, camp counseling) related to working with children and adults with developmental disabilities. He had a high interest in serving this group as his youngest brother was born with Down’s Syndrome.

Jim obtained a Bachelor of Music Education Degree in 1980 from the University of Central Oklahoma. While at UCO, he was on the Dean’s Honor Roll, a member of Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, Chi Alpha (music leader), Baptist Student Union, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (music fraternity), Tunesmiths, Men’s Glee Club (president), Symphony (4-year scholarship), Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, Kappa Delta Pi (Education) and Alpha Chi (scholastic). He taught public school (music) in the Pond Creek-Hunter, Oklahoma School District before returning to UCO in 1982. At Pond Creek-Hunter Schools, Jim served as high school band director, elementary music teacher and junior class sponsor responsible for directing the class play.

In 1982, Jim redirected his career and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1984. While working on his accounting degree, he taught part-time music at Oklahoma Christian Schools and was a leader in the UCO Accounting Club. While in school he worked procuring accounting clients for his own bookkeeping practice. At UCO, he also led accounting informal study groups to assist other students and worked various temporary assignments during and between school terms.

Arledge & Associates, PC – May 1984 through present:

Jim has been with the firm since 1984 - he was employed during the firm’s first year of business. Having obtained the CPA in 1986, he stepped forward from being a tax preparer to lead the firm’s audit department starting in 1986 when the firm took on some of its first governmental engagements. He was admitted as a firm shareholder in 1989. Under his direction, the firm’s audit department grew from one not-for-profit client in the mid-1980s to an audit and consulting base of over 17,000 hours through 2007. Upon the firm founder’s retirement in January 2008, Jim was tapped to serve as the firm’s managing partner/President and CEO. The firm experienced significant growth during the next 10 years and doubled its revenues and team members during that time. As a result of the firm’s growth and community involvement, the firm was one of three finalists in 2015 for the Edmond Chamber’s Small Business of the Year. Also, the firm was selected as one of the Metro 50–the top 50 growing businesses in the Oklahoma City Area. The firm currently has over 500 clients, over 40 employees and has $5 million in annual revenue. Having obtained FINRA, NASSA and insurance licensing, he now leads the firm’s wealth management business.

Service to the Profession:

Oklahoma Society of CPAs. Jim served as a OSCPA Governmental Accounting and Auditing Committee member (1989–2014) and the Chairman from 1994 through 1997. He then served on OSCPA Liaison with Educational Institutions committee (2014 – 2016). In 2017, he received a 30-year membership recognition. He served as member, Vice Chair and ultimately Chair of the Educational Foundation (2016-2020). Also served as Director at Large of OSCPA and is periodically called on for live state-wide television appearances. Jim received the OSCPA’s Silver Pen Award in 2021 for his 2020 OSCPA FOCUS article entitled Ethics Takes Practice. He presents regularly at conferences and CPE sessions. In 2022, he was recognized as an OSCPA Pathfinder. In 2023, he received the OSCPA’s Gold Pen Award for his 2022 OSCPA FOCUS article entitled The Ethics Lessons of Better Call Saul. He is a frequent conference presenter; various state-wide television appearances on short notice; Day of Service participant. Member since 1986.

JAMES S. DENTON, CPA/PFS, CGMA

Service to the Profession (Cont’d):

American Institute of CPAs. Jim earned the Certificate of Educational Achievement in Governmental Accounting and Auditing. Member of Tax Section, PFP/PFS Section and holds the PFS and CGMA designations. Member since 1986.

Oklahoma Accountancy Board – Case Investigator 2001 - 2021.

Oklahoma Incentive Evaluation Commission - 2015 - 2019. Appointed by Gov. Mary Fallin upon recommendation by OSCPA.

Service to the Community:

Edmond Chamber of Commerce. Jim has served as the Chairman of the Board/executive committee (first five-year term) of a 5-Star Chamber. He serves on the Steering Committee for the Chamber’s Small Business Owners’ Alliance.

Oklahoma Venture Forum - Executive Committee member; Board Treasurer; Board member since 2015; Awards selection committee; Mentoring of entrepreneurs; Individual Member since 2012.

Edmond History Museum/Edmond Historical Society – Currently serves as Board Secretary of a local award-winning museum.

YMCA (Mitch Park & Rankin Branches) - Annual Campaign Champion; "Rookie of the Year" for the 2019 Campaign

Personal:

Married in 1981 to Cathie Smith (Denton). Cathie teaches piano (retired).

Daughter (Mary) Abigail, 1987. Edmond Memorial HS, Oklahoma State University – Bachelor of Music Education 2010 – Oklahoma University – Master in Conducting (Abby was hired as an Assistant Band instructor – Broken Arrow Public Schools Sapulpa Public Schools in 2022). Abby married Adam Bruce in 2011. Granddaughters – Elizabeth Avella Bruce (2015), Evelyn Juliet Bruce (2019).

Church – Crossings Community Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Register to attend the September 11, 2024 Power Lunch

John Nickel, Assistant Director
Cowboy Enterprises - Oklahoma State University

John Nickel is the Assistant Director of Cowboy Enterprises at The Innovation Foundation within Oklahoma State University (OSU), where he is dedicated to advancing emerging technologies both at OSU and across Oklahoma. Mr. Nickel oversees the Cowboy Innovation Accelerator at OSU, a program designed to move proof-of-concept technologies in the energy, aerospace and advanced mobility, agriculture, and One Health sectors toward venture-backable startup companies and licensable technologies of interest to industry. He also manages OSU’s National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps program for customer discovery and product market fit. Over the last two years, under his leadership, 12 Oklahoma teams have been awarded NSF’s $50,000 National I-Corps grants, which strategically helps teams build commercialization plans for gap funding opportunities. Additionally, Mr. Nickel currently oversees OSU’s Economic Development Agency’s University Center grant, which provides commercial grant assistance to companies in the Northeast region of Oklahoma. Prior to his role at OSU, Mr. Nickel worked with a research group that focused on extracting a chemical used in the pharmaceutical industry, derived from an invasive species in Oklahoma.

Register to attend September 11, 2024 Power Lunch

Matt Stansberry & Jerad Lovett 

Co-founders, Banded Together

Matt Stansberry and Jerad Lovett are the co-founders of Banded Together.

Matt is a purpose-led leader with experience as CEO and founder of a nationally recognized branding studio (Nominee Design), creative director for a full-service marketing agency (Saxum), and the co-founder of a guitar pedal startup (Westerlund Audio).

Jerad is an innovative and operational-minded CEO with experience across business functions. As the third generation, he turned his family’s business into a nine figure operation (4X growth). He then founded a startup, where he operated at every C-level position until it broke even.

Matt and Jerad believe Banded Together can change the way we give through community sourced generosity – the future of giving.

Banded Together gives donors an easy way to give directly to those in need. Nonprofit partners send qualified people-in-need to Banded Together. Banded Together onboards each new person into the software platform by collecting vital docs, their individual stories, and their personal details. Donors can view the stories and connect with each person via the platform, where digital community can surround each person as they work to get back on their feet.

These efforts will focus on the homeless community, followed by the ex-convict population and foster care children. As software, AI, LLM, and data is used to create efficiency amongst the nonprofits, the cost to the taxpayer will plummet. Nonprofit partners and governments around the country will begin to welcome in Banded Together to their cities as well. Let's empower the $500B donations a year to go further than ever imagined before.

Register to attend September 11, 2024 OVF Power Lunch

Pioneering Oklahoma's Digital Future
An interview with Annette White-Klososky

by Dennis Spielman

Annette White-Klososky’s entrepreneurial journey is rooted in her upbringing in a family of newspaper owners, where she developed a strong foundation in business. After college, she pursued a career in public relations, marketing, and consulting, quickly becoming known for her versatility in helping startups with limited resources. For nearly 30 years, she has focused on guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in building businesses that combine strategic success with a solid organizational culture. Co-founding Future Point of View with her husband over two decades ago, White-Klososky has been at the forefront of digital strategy, helping companies navigate the evolving landscape of AI, digital transformation, and cyber risk. She extends her work into human capital digital analysis, ensuring organizations can execute their strategies effectively. White-Klososky’s contributions to Oklahoma’s innovation ecosystem are significant, including her involvement in AI advancements and her efforts to foster a thriving entrepreneurial community in the state.

“We truly believe, just like you have a human resource director, you’re going to have a digital resource director... because the organization will get things done using both,” said Annette White-Klososky. “We help organizations figure out how to use available technology and applications and make those decisions because most people in the C-suite don’t understand technology. They didn’t come up through the ranks with those types of tools. So they’ve learned their craft with different tools and resources.”

At the upcoming Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch, White-Klososky will discuss the state’s ambitious efforts to become a leader in AI innovation, particularly in the healthcare sector. She will share insights into Oklahoma’s AI strategy, developed by her firm, and highlight the exciting advancements already underway. White-Klososky will also cover how AI is integrated into various industries, from streamlining medical documentation to enhancing diagnostic processes, emphasizing the importance of fostering an innovative environment in Oklahoma. Attendees can expect to learn about current AI initiatives, future possibilities, and the potential for Oklahoma to become an epicenter of AI-driven growth.

“I think we are in a good place with our biotech. We are small enough to be innovative in what we’re doing, so I’m going to talk a little bit about what’s already in play and what we might see in the future,” said Annette White-Klososky.
According to White-Klososky, the state’s efforts to create a supportive environment for technological growth are already showing promising results. As Oklahoma continues to leverage AI in biotech, entrepreneurs in the state have the opportunity to establish cutting-edge innovation, contributing meaningfully to both the local economy and the broader industry.

“I’m excited to share what’s going on in our state, in our backyard,” said White-Klososky. “Oklahoma is poised to become an epicenter of AI innovation, and I believe this event is an opportunity to inspire and inform the community about the potential that lies ahead.”

Join Annette White-Klososky at the next Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, as she discusses AI innovations shaping Oklahoma’s future. The event will be open to members and guests in person at the Metro Tech Spring Lake Campus (1700 Springlake Drive in Oklahoma City) and via Zoom.

“You can learn a lot by just paying attention to what is happening in our state,” said White-Klososky. “I think it’s an opportunity for, and I know there’s a lot of things I probably don’t even know about that’s going on in our state, so I’m just as excited to be there where people are in the flow of innovation and new deals and entrepreneurs.”

Register to attend September 11, 2024 OVF Power Lunch