OVF Chairman's Perspective August 2019
Kyle Golding
The Golding Group
Hello and welcome to the 2019-2020 Session of the Oklahoma Venture Forum. I am honored and humbled to be your Chairman for the next year. I am looking forward to working alongside all of you as we champion businesses ventures and economic development in the great state of Oklahoma. This has been the mission of OVF since its founding in 1987.
Over the last 30+ years, OVF has become the preeminent Oklahoma organization promoting the formation of venture capital and development of entrepreneurship via monthly meetings and annual awards events. This year, we will continue that proud tradition but also be making changes to improve, expand and diversify OVF as a members-driven organization.
All business, non-profits and professional groups need to grow in order to be successful. My focus as your Chairman for 2019-2020 will be creating growth opportunities for OVF in terms of membership, collaborations and impact on the economy of Oklahoma. This includes maximizing the value of OVF membership via the highest quality Pitch Presenters, Power Lunch Speakers, Awards and After Hour events plus exclusive members-only benefits.
OVF will no longer be Oklahoma's "best-kept secret". Our board, members and guest will represent the best of Oklahoma business leadership for today and the future. Together, we will make our state a better place to do business.
All of this begins in September with a Pitch Presentation from Wristworld (the youngest entrepreneurs to ever pitch at OVF) and Power Lunch Speaker Michael Hirsch, Director of Loveworks Leadership.
Wristworld makes wearable augmented reality puzzle RPG developed by and for middle school students. They have recently completed a successful Kickstarter campaign, raising over $23,000 to complete a “store-ready” product.
Seven years ago, entrepreneur Michael Hirsch launched Loveworks with the focus to start an afterschool program for middle school students. Under his leadership, Loveworks has impacted the lives of over 10,000 students. Wristworld is the first product to be developed by the students in the Loveworks program.
Let's start the 2019-2020 Session off in a great way. Please join us on September 11th for networking and the best lunch in town plus presentations from our special guest the young entrepreneurs of Wristworld and Michael Hirsch with Loveworks.
Don't forget, our September After Hours networking event on 9/26 at the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma office in downtown OKC. You are all invited for food, drinks and a surprise guest speaker.
I look forward to seeing everyone in person soon as we all continue working together to make the Oklahoma Venture Forum the best membership organization for business leaders and the best hour you will spend each month developing yourself as a professional.
Thank you for this opportunity.
