# i2E, Inc.

> i2E is an Oklahoma nonprofit that works at the awkward front end of company building, helping founders test demand, sharpen business models, prepare for diligence, and find the right capital connections. Its mix of one-to-one advising, E3 Bootcamp, Bridge2 pre-accelerator, student competitions, and statewide partnerships makes it less a conventional accelerator than an operating layer for Oklahoma’s startup ecosystem.

- **Founded:** 1998
- **Headquarters:** Oklahoma City, United States
- **Team size:** 11-50 employees on LinkedIn; supplied company data lists 19 employees.
- **Products:** One-to-one venture advisory, E3 Bootcamp, Bridge2 Pre-Accelerator, Oklahoma Commercialization Network, Entrepreneur’s Cup
- **Notable:** Marked 25 years of operations in 2023., Reported 800 Oklahoma companies supported, 400 investments in 236 companies, and more than $93 million invested through nine managed funds as of its 25-year retrospective., Reported $1.2 billion in private capital raised by supported companies in its 25-year retrospective; the current website updates the figure to $1.27 billion.

## Products & services

- **One-to-one venture advisory** — Individual guidance on customer discovery, market validation, business models, strategy, investment readiness, and connections to relevant resources.
- **E3 Bootcamp** — A six-week program that helps concept-stage and existing ventures explore product-market fit through workshops, founder feedback, mentoring, and next-step recommendations.
- **Bridge2 Pre-Accelerator** — A 16-week, two-phase program for scalable, tech-enabled startups covering revenue models, competitive strategy, customer acquisition, pitch materials, and diligence preparation; some Phase 2 participants may be eligible for a $50,000 convertible note.
- **Oklahoma Commercialization Network** — A statewide front door, powered by OCAST and led with Gradient, The Verge, REI Oklahoma, and other partners, routing founders to workspace, mentoring, programs, and funding connections.
- **Entrepreneur’s Cup** — A statewide collegiate business-plan and pitch competition that gives students practical entrepreneurship experience, feedback, scholarships, and cash awards.
- **MidAmerica Cup** — A high-school entrepreneurship competition run with MidAmerica Industrial Park to build business-planning, financial, prototyping, and presentation skills.

## Achievements

- Marked 25 years of operations in 2023.
- Reported 800 Oklahoma companies supported, 400 investments in 236 companies, and more than $93 million invested through nine managed funds as of its 25-year retrospective.
- Reported $1.2 billion in private capital raised by supported companies in its 25-year retrospective; the current website updates the figure to $1.27 billion.
- Reported more than 4,000 jobs fostered on its current website.
- Made early proof-of-concept and equity investments in Alkami Technology, later described by i2E as Oklahoma’s first unicorn.
- i2E and Plains Ventures announced that cumulative investments had passed $100 million in 2024.
- Received a 2024 IEDC Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award for E3 Bootcamp in the Entrepreneurial & Small Business Development category.
- The 2026 Entrepreneur’s Cup awarded more than $260,000 and brought the program’s 22-year totals to more than 3,150 students, 995 ideas, and $2.96 million in awards.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Published a founder story about PillSafe and its effort to redesign medication packaging.
- **2026-04** — The 22nd Entrepreneur’s Cup awarded more than $260,000 in cash prizes and scholarships to Oklahoma student entrepreneurs.
- **2026-03** — Published a case study on Bridge2 participant American Prime Sustainable Solutions after the company secured seed investment and prepared for market launch.
- **2025-07** — Named longtime i2E operator Darcy Wilborn president, succeeding retiring president Rex Smitherman.
- **2025-06** — Bridge2’s third cohort concluded with 10 startups pitching at Demo Day after a 16-week program.
- **2024-11** — i2E and Plains Ventures announced more than $100 million in cumulative investments.

## Links

- Website: https://i2e.org/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/i2e-inc./
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/i2E_Inc
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@i2EInc
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i2e_inc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/i2EInc

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/i2e-inc
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-17