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2021 ovf AWARDS |
View the 2021 OVF Awards Video. |
Oklahoma Venture Forum will host Oklahoma’s 17th OVF Awards ceremony on May 12th, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in a hybrid event that will be viewable statewide. This year’s award ceremony features a keynote presentation by Sean Kouplen, Chairman & CEO of Regent Bank, and Immediate Past Secretary of Commerce.
The OVF Awards incorporate three of the most prestigious recognitions a company can receive because they represent the triumph of the entrepreneurial dream and spirit. Evaluation criteria for the Economic Impact Award, the Venture of the Year Award, and the Most Promising New Venture award is based on: product or service innovation, market potential, potential economic impact, and more.
“Each year we are impressed by the submissions and look forward to the interview process where we dig deep to learn of each company’s achievements and to get a glimpse at what future innovations they have planned. It is exciting to see impressive new innovations from right here in Oklahoma. Each year the selection process reveals a new group of entrepreneurial pioneers who deserve to be publicly recognized for their achievements. OVF is proud to be the organization who gets to highlight these talents.” explains Che’ Loessberg, Executive Director of Oklahoma Venture Forum.
The Oklahoma Venture Forum is a non-profit organization formed in 1987. OVF is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurial ecosystems and economic development in Oklahoma. The organization provides opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs, and others to exchange business ideas and experiences to foster growth of new and existing small businesses.
The 2021 OVF Awards will be a hybrid ceremony hosted online on May 12th, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The live ceremony will be held at the OU Health Science PHF Conference Center. The live portion of the event is open to OVF members and sponsors, with limited capacity. Guests are asked to view the event online via Zoom. Please register online through the website: www.ovf.org to receive the Zoom link and please invite a guest. For inquiries about the awards event, please contact Che’ Loessberg at che@ovf.org.
Sponsors | FInalists | Winners
2021 Award for Economic Impact
PPP.Bank
The Oklahoma Venture Forum is honored to recognize PPP.Bank for its dedication to small business, and its economic impact in Oklahoma. PPP.Bank is a free, secure resource for small businesses, non-profits, and sole proprietors across the United States who received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and are now applying for forgiveness.
When the US Small Business Administration unleashed new loan programs to support small businesses, Jill Castilla and the team at Citizens Bank of Edmond became a loud advocate for connecting and expanding resources to areas of greatest need.
The 120-year-old community bank, based in Edmond, Oklahoma was able to help more than 540 small businesses with access to loans. By partnering a second time with entrepreneur Mark Cuban and Teslar Software they delivered a free digital PPP forgiveness application and calculator.
Venture of the Year | Most Promising New Venture Sponsor
Most Promising New Venture Winners Watkins-Conti Products, Inc. (EDMOND)- a platform women's healthcare company developing affordable and effective solutions for taboo issues faced by women, specifically, with regard to pelvic health. Drov Technologies (OKC)- utilized their years of expertise related to tire inflation systems to pivot from a tire inflation company to a technology company seeking to provide a full smart truck and trailer solution for the trucking industry. Most Promising New Venture Respond Flow (TULSA)- an SMS messaging service which allows users to leverage local 10-Digit numbers to schedule and send personalized messages to customers and prospects, while maintaining a personal touch. |
Qualifications |
Venture of the YearNominees for the Venture of the Year Awards must have (1) launched its primary product/service within the past ten years, (2) generated sales revenues of $1.0 million or more in its last fiscal year, and (3) shown material economic impact or innovation within its market. Capital raised can be considered and should be noted on the application. All nominated companies must be independently owned and operated (not a division, subsidiary, or controlled affiliate of another company) and headquartered in Oklahoma. Evaluation criteria for the Venture of the Year Award will be based on: product or service innovation revenues and capital raised profitability management quality market penetration and growth economic impact industry and community reputation The award winners will be selected by judges from the OVF membership. The judges will review the information on the forms and may request additional company and financial information. All information will be kept confidential. Nominations/applications must be completed and returned by January 20, 2021, to the Oklahoma Venture Forum at the address on the form.
| Most Promising New VentureNominees for the Most Promising New Venture Award (1) must have begun development of its primary product/service within the past three years; and (2) must demonstrate the viability of its primary product/service, which may be shown through capital raises/grants, sales revenues or potential economic impact or innovation. All nominated companies must be independently owned and operated (not a division, subsidiary, or controlled affiliate of another company) and headquartered in Oklahoma. Evaluation criteria for the Most Promising New Venture Award will be based on: product or service innovation minimum viable product actual or potential revenue growth sales backlog over next few quarters funding leadership/management quality market potential potential economic impact industry and community recognition The award winners will be selected by judges from the OVF membership. The judges will review the information on the forms and may request additional company and financial information. All information will be kept confidential. Nominations/applications must be completed and returned by January 20, 2021, to the Oklahoma Venture Forum at the address on the form. If you have any questions concerning the awards, please contact OVF Executive Director, Che’ Loessberg at (405) 604-4775 or che@ovf.org. Applications are closed for the 2021 OVF Awards, but feel free to download the application form so that you have an understanding of the criteria and please apply next year. DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION/NOMINATION PACKAGE |