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.

OVF September Pitch Presenters

Wristworld

What better way to design a toy-line than let kids be the creators?  That’s the idea behind Wristworld, the first product of a new company called Real Tech. Real Tech is a spinoff of Loveworks Leadership, an organization teaching leadership and entrepreneurialism to middle school students.  Real Tech gives middle school students hands-on experience with coding, design and marketing while collaborating with industry professionals to create real products, sold in the real marketplace.

40% of the sale from each Wristworld product goes back into the program, supporting additional leadership and entrepreneurialism opportunities for more students.  You’ve never seen a product quite like this…because there’s never been a company quite like this. 

 

Member Highlight: Sarah Dickson, Edmond Economic Development Authority

Sarah Dickson, APR, is the communications director for the Edmond Economic Development Authority (EEDA). The EEDA exists to offer resources that stimulate the growth of Edmond’s economy by creating and maintaining an optimum environment for both new and existing businesses, offering services that facilitate the growth and expansion of those businesses and generating opportunities to increase the sales tax base of the city of Edmond. Sarah has been with the EEDA for 10 years, serving in multiple communications roles. She is responsible for producing workforce, economic and statistical reports; compiling demographic reports; and managing all communications, including website and social media updates, news releases, annual publication, advertisements and e-newsletters. Sarah is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute (OU/EDI), during which she was a Derieth Sutton Legacy Scholarship recipient. She is also a graduate of Leadership Edmond Class XXV and has completed the Francis Tuttle Technology Center Leadership Development Academy. Sarah is an active member of the Public Relations Society of America and recently earned the professional distinction of Accredited in Public Relations, demonstrating broad knowledge, experience and professional judgement in the field. Sarah is also active in the Greater Oklahoma City Partnership, a 10-county regional economic development marketing organization, and is a long-time Edmond Mobile Meals volunteer. Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma. 

Here are some great events you won't want to miss.  

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Host Organization: Moore Norman Technology Center

Event title: Feedback is another F word          

Event type: Leadership series

Event date & time: July 18 11:30-1

Link to registration: https://www.mntc.edu/classes/business-financial-services/featuredbusinessandfinance/growandgo

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Event title: Jekyll and Hyde. What’s your leadership personality?

Event type: Leadership Series

Event date & time: August 15 11:30-1

Link to registration: https://www.mntc.edu/classes/business-financial-services/featuredbusinessandfinance/growandgo

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Host Organization: Oklahoma Venture Forum

Location: The Garage & Lounge at 800 

Event title:  Member Kick-off Event

Event type:  Membership Mingle

Event date & time:  August 21st, 5:30 pm- 7:30 pm

Link to registration: Attend

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Host Organization: Moore Norman Technology Center

Event title:  Leading at the Speed of Trust

Event type:  Lunch & Learn

Event date & time:  22 Aug  = 1130A -130P

Link to registration: https://enrollment.mntc.edu/short-term-classes/lunch-learn-franklin-coveys-leading-speed-trust

OVF member discount code if available:

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Host Organization: Oklahoma Venture Forum

Event title: OVF Power Lunch "Early Development - Teen Founders"

Event type:  Success Speaker & Pitch Presentation

Event date & time:  September 11th, 11:30 am-1:00 pm

Link to registration:  Attend

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Host Organization: Moore Norman Technology Center

Event title:  4 Essential Roles of Leadership

Event type:  Workshop

Event date & time:  20 Sep = 830A -400P

Link to registration:  https://enrollment.mntc.edu/short-term-classes/franklin-coveys-leading-speed-trust-workshop

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Host Organization: Oklahoma Venture Forum

Event title: OVF After Hours at the BBB of Central Oklahoma

Event type:  Networking, Speaker & Tour 

Event date & time:  September 26th, 5:30 pm- 7:30 pm

Link to registration:  Attend

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Host Organization: Oklahoma Venture Forum

Event title: OVF Power Lunch "The Exit Strategy"

Event type:  Success Speaker & Pitch Presentation

Event date & time:  October 9th, 11:30 am-1:00 pm

Link to registration:  Attend

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Host Organization: Moore Norman Technology Center

Event title:  5 Choices to Extraordinary Productivity

Event type:  Lunch & Learn

Event date & time:  7 Nov  = 1130A -130P

Link to registration: https://enrollment.mntc.edu/short-term-classes/lunch-learn-franklin-coveys-5-choices-extraordinary-productivity

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Host Organization:   Moore Norman Technology Center (South Penn Campus)

Event title:  Franklin Covey’s 5 Choices to Extraordinary Productivity: One Day Essentials

Event type:  Workshop

Event date & time:  Friday November 15, 2019               830A – 400P

Link to registration:  https://enrollment.mntc.edu/short-term-classes/franklin-coveys-5-choices-extraordinary-productive-one-day-essentials

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If you have questions about events?

Please use the link included in each event. 

Do you have questions about OVF membership?

Please reach out to me, I am always happy to help.

Have an event, class, or workshop to Share?

If you would like to share events, classes or workshops with OVF members please click the Add Me button below and let us know you have something to share.  (Please do not share events, classes or workshops with us until you have received the response email with our preferred submission format)

Incoming Board of Directors for 2019-2020 will extend from
August 1^st, 2019 to May 31^st, 2020

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 21, 2019) – Oklahoma Venture Forum announces incoming Board of Directors for the 2019-2020 term. This term will extend from August 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020.

The Oklahoma Venture Forum is a non-profit organization formed in 1987 to encourage economic development in Oklahoma.  The organization provides opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs, and others to exchange ideas and experiences to grow new and existing small businesses.

The Board of Directors include business professionals from diverse fields in the Oklahoma community. These individuals are:

• Ryan Butts, Chestnut Street Advisors
• Ryan Cargill, i2E, Inc.
• Steve Davis, Insperity
• Henry Dumas, Moore Norman Technology Center
• Cindy Friedemann, Metro Technology Centers
• Maureen Hammond, Norman Economic Development Coalition
• Jennifer Hankins, Tulsa Regional Chamber
• Kitt Letcher, BBB Central OK
• Andrew Pollock, OU Office of Technology Development
• Michael Schade, Dunlap Codding, P. C.
• Jim Stengle, OG&E
• Tom Vaught, Victory Commercial Real Estate
• Aaron Webster, Cameron Ventures
• Daniel Will, OSU Research Foundation
• Richard Wright, Hogan Taylor

“Monthly OVF meetings are a great way to meet and learn from each other all while fostering a better business future for Oklahoma. This is the best hour per month anyone can spend in pursuit of opportunity and connection with like-minded professionals,” explains Kyle Golding, Chairman of Oklahoma Venture Forum.

The incoming 2019-2020 officers include:

• James Denton, Arledge & Associates PC, OVF Treasurer
• Gary Derrick, Derrick & Briggs LLP, OVF Secretary
• Kyle Golding, The Golding Group, OVF Chairman
• Brad Rickelman, Meridian Technology Center, OVF Immediate Past Chairman
• Gary Rosenhamer, Insurica, OVF Past President
• Danny Slusarchuk, Standards IT LLC, OVF Chairman Elect
• Henry Duman, Moore Norman Technology, OVF Vice Chairman

“The monthly  OVF Power Lunch is a combination of peer-to-peer conversation, Pitch Presentations of viable business scenarios (not just potential) and Success Story presentations full of real-world specifics that inform and engage all attending” says Che’ Loessberg, Executive Director of Oklahoma Venture. “I am excited about the line-up of subjects this session, and we are getting ready to start in September.”

Become a member with the Oklahoma Venture Forum at www.ovf.org/Join-OVF. Follow us on iTunes, Spreaker and YouTube for Podcast and videos. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram for news and updates!

Here are some great events you won't want to miss.  

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Host Organization: The Mine OKC   TODAY!

Event title: Final Presentations

Event type: Presentations of 2 social entrepreneurship projects, reception to follow

Event date & time: May 22, 2019, 5:30pm

Link to registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mine-okc-final-presentations-tickets-60764867354

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Host Organization: Moore Norman Technology Center

Event title:  4 Essential Roles of Leadership

Event type:  Lunch & Learn

Event date & time:  6 June = 1130A -130P

Link to registration: https://enrollment.mntc.edu/short-term-classes/lunch-learn-franklin-coveys-4-essentials-roles-leadership

OVF member discount code if available:

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Host Organization:   Moore Norman Technology Center (South Penn Campus)

Event title:  Franklin Covey’s The 4 Essential Roles of Leadership

Event type:  Workshop

Event date & time:  Friday June 21, 2019                     830A – 400P

Link to registration:  https://enrollment.mntc.edu/short-term-classes/franklin-coveys-4-essential-roles-leadership-workshop

OVF member discount code if available:  

________________________________________

Host Organization: Moore Norman Technology Center

Event title:  Leading at the Speed of Trust

Event type:  Lunch & Learn

Event date & time:  22 Aug  = 1130A -130P

Link to registration: https://enrollment.mntc.edu/short-term-classes/lunch-learn-franklin-coveys-leading-speed-trust

OVF member discount code if available:

________________________________________

Host Organization: Moore Norman Technology Center

Event title:  4 Essential Roles of Leadership

Event type:  Workshop

Event date & time:  20 Sep = 830A -400P

Link to registration:  https://enrollment.mntc.edu/short-term-classes/franklin-coveys-leading-speed-trust-workshop

OVF member discount code if available

________________________________________

Host Organization: Moore Norman Technology Center

Event title:  5 Choices to Extraordinary Productivity

Event type:  Lunch & Learn

Event date & time:  7 Nov  = 1130A -130P

Link to registration: https://enrollment.mntc.edu/short-term-classes/lunch-learn-franklin-coveys-5-choices-extraordinary-productivity

OVF member discount code if available

________________________________________

Host Organization:   Moore Norman Technology Center (South Penn Campus)

Event title:  Franklin Covey’s 5 Choices to Extraordinary Productivity: One Day Essentials

Event type:  Workshop

Event date & time:  Friday November 15, 2019               830A – 400P

Link to registration:  https://enrollment.mntc.edu/short-term-classes/franklin-coveys-5-choices-extraordinary-productive-one-day-essentials

OVF member discount code if available:  

_____________________________________

If you have questions about events?

Please use the link included in each event. 

Do you have questions about OVF membership?

Please reach out to me, I am always happy to help.

Have an event, class, or workshop to Share?

If you would like to share events, classes or workshops with OVF members please click the Add Me button below and let us know you have something to share.  (Please do not share events, classes or workshops with us until you have received the response email with our preferred submission format)

ADD ME

Host Organization:   Moore Norman Technology Center (South Penn Campus)

Event title:  Franklin Covey’s 6 Critical Practices for Leading a Team

Event type:  Workshop

Event date & time:  Tuesday April 30, 2019          830A – 400P

Link to registration:  https://enrollment.mntc.edu/short-term-classes/6-critical-practices-leading-team

OVF member discount code if available:  

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Host Organization: DD Audio

Event title: DD Audio #SpeakerSeries Featuring Allison Candelaria, Owner of Soul Yoga

Event type: Networking, presentation and Q/A about visionary business tactics and innovative approaches to starting or running a small business, personal brand or passion project.

Event date & time: Thursday, May 2nd, 2019 Time: 5:30pm - 6:00pm Networking Happy Hour & 6:00pm - 7:00pm Q/A with Allison Candelaria, Owner of Soul Yoga hosted by Kyle Golding, CEO of The Golding Group

Link to registration: http://bit.ly/DDAudioSpeakerSeries3

OVF member discount code if available: Free event 

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Host organization:  Oklahoma Venture Forum

Event title: Chairman's Award for Economic Impact presented by Insperity 

Event type: Awards Luncheon, Keynote speaker Piyush Patel 

Event date: Wednesday, May 8th, 11:00 a.m. at Oklahoma History Center

Link to registration: www.ovf.org/Attend-OVF

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Host organization: Startup Grind OKC

Event title: Fireside chat with Robin Roberson (CEO & Co-Founder of WeGoLook)

Event type: Informative chat, Q&A, networking, and food

Event date: Tuesday, May 14th @ 6pm

Link to registration: https://startupgrind.com/oklahoma-city/

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Host Organization:   Moore Norman Technology Center (South Penn Campus)

Event title:  Franklin Covey’s The 4 Essential Roles of Leadership

Event type:  Workshop

Event date & time:  Friday June 21, 2019                     830A – 400P

Link to registration:  https://enrollment.mntc.edu/short-term-classes/franklin-coveys-4-essential-roles-leadership-workshop

OVF member discount code if available:  

________________________________________

Host Organization:   Moore Norman Technology Center (South Penn Campus)

Event title:  Franklin Covey’s Leading at the Speed of Trust

Event type:  Workshop

Event date & time:  Friday September 20, 2019                830A – 400P

Link to registration:  https://enrollment.mntc.edu/short-term-classes/franklin-coveys-leading-speed-trust-workshop

OVF member discount code if available:  

________________________________________

Host Organization:   Moore Norman Technology Center (South Penn Campus)

Event title:  Franklin Covey’s 5 Choices to Extraordinary Productivity: One Day Essentials

Event type:  Workshop

Event date & time:  Friday November 15, 2019               830A – 400P

Link to registration:  https://enrollment.mntc.edu/short-term-classes/franklin-coveys-5-choices-extraordinary-productive-one-day-essentials

OVF member discount code if available:  

_____________________________________

If you have questions about events?

Please use the link included in each event. 

Do you have questions about OVF membership?

Please reach out to me, I am always happy to help.

Have an event, class, or workshop to Share?

If you would like to share events, classes or workshops with OVF members please click the Add Me button below and let us know you have something to share.  (Please do not share events, classes or workshops with us until you have received the response email with our preferred submission format)

Add Me  

Better Business Bureau® of Central Oklahoma, was founded in 1930 and serves over 50 counties in Oklahoma. Through different programs and methods, your BBB serves as a resource for businesses large and small and has adopted a focus of helping businesses grow.  With more programs and resources launching each year now more than ever is the best time to explore accreditation. For more information, visit oklahomacity.bbb.org.