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ovf AWARDS |
View the 2021 OVF Awards Video. |
Upcoming 2022 OVF Awards
Oklahoma Venture Forum will host Oklahoma’s 18th OVF Awards ceremony on May 18th, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Oklahoma Hstory Center.
This year’s award ceremony features a special appearance by Oklahoma State Governor Kevin Stitt. We are diligently working on a surprise featured Keynote Speaker to be announced later.
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 are 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 live ceremony will be held at the Oklahoma History Center in the Chesapeake Event Center. The event is open to OVF members and sponsors and guests, with limited capacity. Please register online through the website: www.ovf.org and please invite a guest.
For inquiries about the awards event, please contact Che’ Loessberg at che@ovf.org.
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, 2022, 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, 2022, 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. DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION/NOMINATION PACKAGE |
Sponsors
Economic Impact AwardThis could be your organization! | Venture of the Year
| Most Promising New Venture
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Last Year's Award Winners
Economic Impact Award
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.
2021 Venture of the YearVenture of the Year Winner Skydweller Aero Inc. (OKC)- is a US aerospace company developing solar-powered aircraft solutions capable of achieving perpetual flight with unprecedented payload capacity. | 2021 Most Promising New VenturesMost 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. |