DECEMBER 2008
Technology Ventures Summit Focuses on Education/Showcases Promising Firms
Over 200 investors and business builders attended the 2nd annual Technology Ventures Summit, held November 12-13 in Tulsa and sponsored by the Business Roundtable. The event focused on emerging technology deals, strategies for open innovation and “hands-on” training workshops for entrepreneurs and angel investors.
The creation of new and innovative products and companies is critical to Oklahoma’s economic development. This unique event gave participants a candid view of how true seed investors think, how they choose their investments and work with the nation’s best entrepreneurs. Attendees included a mix of Oklahoma entrepreneurs, investors and educators.
Twelve of the state’s best entrepreneurial companies presented their plans for commercializing innovative technologies to the audience of potential investors.
Keynote Speaker was Steve Mercil – the founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of RAIN Source Capital, an organization that builds capacity for private equity investments by forming and managing a network of local, statewide, and multi-state angel funds.
Global Creativity Organization Selects Oklahoma for 2010 Creativity World Forum
The State of Oklahoma will be on the world stage in 2010 when it hosts the annual Creativity World Forum, a global conference focused entirely on creativity and innovation.
Dr. Peter Abramo, Executive Director of Creative Oklahoma, Inc. reported that Oklahoma City was awarded the 2010 meeting at the recent Creativity World Forum held November 19-20 in Antwerp, Belgium.
“We are excited Oklahoma has been chosen for this unique event, which will bring together entrepreneurs, knowledge workers, educators, cultural leaders and policy makers from across the globe, ” Abramo said.
Oklahoma holds the distinction of being the only U.S. state currently recognized as a District of Creativity (DC) and is one of only 12 regions designated throughout the world.
Roundtable member Burns Hargis, who chairs Oklahoma’s Creativity Project said, “This is a great opportunity for Oklahoma to showcase our efforts to grow the culture of creativity and innovation plus benefit from new ideas and best practices developed by our friends from around the world.”
Business Development Highlights
- Terra Industries of Woodward, has announced a $180 million plant expansion. Terra is a leading supplier of nitrogen products to agricultural, industrial and environmental industries.
- Oklahoma Commerce recruitment staff recently participated in a focused corporate networking event in California hosted by Business Facilities Magazine. The program connected economic development professionals with senior level executives of companies who are seeking a new facility location. Staff met with thirteen prospects/consultants in the food processing, aerospace, business services, retail services and warehouse/distribution industries.
- Oklahoma economic developers and the Roundtable will host an annual reception for national site location consultants and corporate real estate executives at the Oklahoma-owned Hotel ZaZa in Dallas on January 22, 2008. Roundtable members who have Dallas operations or plan to be in the area next month are encouraged to attend. For more details, contact the Roundtable office.
Economic Development Professionals Issue Policy Recommendations to President and Congress
The International Economic Development Council, the country’s premier economic development organization, recently issued a roadmap to strengthen America’s economic sustainability and innovation capacity.
The plan includes 85 specific recommendations within 6 key areas. These include:
- Ensuring a Competitive Workforce
- Rebuilding our Infrastructure
- Stimulating entrepreneurship and small business
- Developing and Conserving Energy Resources and Growing a Green Economy
- Promoting Technology and Innovation
- Fostering Effective Finance and Governance
The full agenda is available online at: http://www.iedconline.org/FederalForum/index.html.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS – UPCOMING EVENTS 2009
Roundtable Annual Meeting and Dinner with AT&T Chairman Randall Stephenson
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 – Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa
3:00 p.m. – Executive Committee
4:30 p.m. – Membership Meeting
6:00 p.m. – Reception
6:45 p.m. – Dinner
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
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