September 
Virtual Power Lunch Guest Speaker David Jankowsky with Francis Renewable Energy

Eliminating EV Range Anxiety in Oklahoma and Beyond

Written by Dennis Spielman

With origins in the solar-power industry, David Jankowsky saw a problem in the electric vehicle market. With billions going into EV technology, Jankowsky noticed little of that funding was going towards infrastructure. While Tesla Motors may have popularized the electric car and built their superchargers, they ’re all closed source.

“We know there ’s literally going to be hundreds of car manufacturers in the next five, ten years coming out with electric vehicles, and they would not be able to use the Tesla superchargers, so we solved that problem,” said Jankowsky.“We developed and installed universal chargers, so any car in the world can use them, including Tesla drivers. We solved the range-anxiety issue, meaning no one ’s going to buy a car if there ’s no infrastructure to fuel them if they ’re away from their home.”

The Francis EV Charging Network solved range anxiety in Oklahoma by having a charging station every 50 miles. One could travel from Broken Bow to Guymon in their electric car. Jankowsky notes that one may have to drive 10 to 20 miles out of the way to access a charger because they currently don ’t have enough in Oklahoma. The first phase of the network features 225 fast-charging stations across 109 strategically located sites in Oklahoma, including small towns.

“We’ve done a lot of rural development, and we basically said, ‘We’ll bring a charger here, pay for everything, and it ’s going to cause basically drivers that have been stuck on the highways at the travel stops at the gas stations, they ’re going to have to come into your town to charge, and by the way, they ’re going to be captive there for about 60 minutes,’” said Jankowsky.“When we go to the travel stops on the highways, no one wants to wait 60 minutes to charge their car, so that ’s where we ’ve put in super-duper chargers, we got to call them something at some point, they can charge cars in seven to nine or 10 minutes. That ’s very much equivalent to current gas stations.”

The public infrastructure for EVs is not going to look the same when compared to gas. Jankowsky sees electric stations being more“ubiquitous” as they ’ll be able to go everywhere and anywhere. When people are at the office, shopping for groceries, or eating a meal, there ’ll be a charger.

“There won ’t be like six chargers on one corner, and six chargers on another corner like you see in the gas space, and there ’s a variety of reasons for that,” said Jankowsky.“It ’s not going to develop the same way gas stations developed because quite simply, you don ’t need as many out there as you do gas pumps because people can charge their car at home typically at night, which is where about 90% of the charging is going to take place.”

As a startup in Oklahoma, Jankowsky finds people are surprised to learn they we able to install 225 superchargers across the state.

“That ’s never been done before,” said Jankowsky.“Our largest competitors are definitely not doing 250 charging stations a year, and I mean, we ’re just one data point, but Oklahoma really has, and I preach this to everyone that will listen, we have this unique ability or position where we could be the EV capital of the world, both in terms of the technology, so there ’s a lot of technology in these chargers, it ’s mostly software-based technology, we have the manufacturing capabilities to do it here.”

Looking forward to the future, Francis Energy is expanding into 30 states to build the network out from Oklahoma. There are also plans to upgrade existing stations, which they ’ll continue to do until Oklahoma can take care of every car on the road. In addition to the expansions, they ’re working on an app.

Like competitors, the app will allow users to find stations, initiate a charge, offer a discount, and more. One feature Jankowsky explained is that people will be able to stay in their car and connect to a free wifi hotspot while they wait for a delivery. Stations are separately addressed, allowing orders to come directly to that charging station.

“There are so many cool things that we can do with the software that ’s in the chargers themselves to create this great user experience,” said Jankowsky.“It ’s not perfected yet, and so some of our concern is we have drivers out there that are using our stations that might not be having the best experience, and we want to let people know, ‘Hey, this is new. This is novel. We ’re working on the bugs, we ’re working on the kinks, but it ’s going to be great, just stay patient with us, and then here ’s what we ’re doing to help the user experience.’”

David Jankowsky will be speaking at the Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch on Wednesday, September 9th, 2020. Be sure to register for the online ZOOM event to learn more about Francis Renewable Energy, hear a Pitch Presentation by HyQ Technologies, and to network with entrepreneurs an innovators in Oklahoma. Read more about the September Pitch Presenter below. 

OVF is always looking from early startup companies to come and give their elevator pitch to our members and guests. We are currently holding virtual/hybrid events and welcome Pitch Presenters from anywhere in Oklahoma.

Applications can be downloaded from the OVF website using the link below.

Apply Here

Are you interested in access to Oklahoma Venture Forum? The value is multi-leveled.

Would you like to hear what other founders and entrepreneurs in Oklahoma are up to?  Would you like to present your pitch to OVF members and guests?

OVF membership is made of startups, venture investors, colleges, incubators, accelerators, and service professionals, all of whom share a common interest in economic growth for Oklahoma.

Each month we host a Virtual Power Lunch. These events host a main speaker and an early stage startup in similar industries, providing opportunities for venture investing, connecting through networking and learning.

Our new programming offers a unique chance to host Pitch Presenters from all over Oklahoma. Are you ready?  We encourage a well versed presentation and slides are always welcome. Pitch Presenters have 10 minutes to pitch and 5 for Q&A. There is a link below for Pitch Presenters to submit an application. You can also see who has pitched at OVF.

You don't have to be a member to pitch, but if you are interested in becoming a member and want to take advantage of the member benefits and networking opportunities please review the member option via the link below. 

Founder/Entrepreneur Membership: This membership would belong to the founder/entrepreneur. It is a more economical option that allows access to 5 virtual Power Lunches with networking per year. Members would also have access to the other additional benefits of membership like member to member discounts, newsletters, online forum, podcasts and entrepreneurial event updates. The member to member discounts alone are extremely beneficial for new ventures.

Incubator Access Membership: This membership belongs to the incubator. It allows for 2 designated members.  This membership allows the incubator to air monthly OVF program events to a group of incubator participants during the scheduled event time, or allows the incubator to provide individual opportunities to watch recorded OVF programs onsite eat their facility. This membership has a value proposition offering clients access to quality content, networking, and pitch practice opportunities. This membership allows for 2 designated members and 2 guests to attend the annual OVF awards in May. 

Learn more about OVF membership at our Member Kickoff on August 27^th, 2020. This virtual event will explore the new aspects of OVF and our change in programming. We will also offer three breakout sessions for networking, and our guest speaker will be Nathaniel Harding from Cortado Ventures, a $10MM venture capital fund focused on Oklahoma startups. Read More https://cortado.ventures

If you have questions about membership options or the renewal process, I hope that you will reach out to me, I am always happy to help.

Thank you in advance for your time. I hope this opportunity is as exciting for you as it is for Oklahoma Venture Forum.

Attend     Learn More   Who has Pitched to OVF?

Incubators, offer your clients a bird's eye view of Oklahoma's business ecosystem. 

We encourage your participation in Oklahoma's oldest, most dedicated economic ecosystem. Your clients will gain knowledge from other founders and successful professionals. We also want to hear from your founders and entrepreneurs encourage them to submit a pitch application so that they might present their pitch to OVF members and guests.

OVF membership is made of entrepreneurs, venture investors, colleges, incubators, startups, accelerators, and service professionals, all of whom share a common interest in economic growth for Oklahoma.

Each month we host a Virtual Power Lunch. These events incorporate a main speaker and an early stage startup in similar industries. This programming offers great advantages, observance of what other startups are doing around OK, industry specific networking, and potential venture investing opportunities. 

Our new programming offers a unique chance to host Pitch Presenters from all over Oklahoma. Maybe you have someone in mind already? We encourage a well versed presentation and slides are always welcome. Pitch Presenters have 10 minutes to pitch and 5 for Q&A. There is a link below for Pitch Presenters to submit an application. 

If you are interested in becoming a member or if you have a client who might benefit from a pitch experience and networking opportunities please review the member options we are offering this session. 

Incubator Access Membership: This membership belongs to the incubator. It allows for 2 designated members. This membership allows the incubator to air monthly OVF program events to a group of incubator participants during the scheduled event time, or allows the incubator to provide individual opportunities to watch recorded OVF programs onsite eat their facility. This membership has a value proposition offering clients access to quality content, networking, and pitch practice opportunities. This membership allows for 2 designated members and 2 guests to attend the annual OVF awards in May. 

Founder/Entrepreneur Membership: This membership would belong to the founder/entrepreneur. It is a more economical option that allows access to 5 virtual Power Lunches with networking per year. Members would also have access to the other additional benefits of membership like member to member discounts, newsletters, online forum, podcasts and entrepreneurial event updates. The member to member discounts alone are extremely beneficial for new ventures.

Learn more about OVF membership at our Member Kickoff on August 27^th, 2020. This virtual event will explore the new aspects of OVF and our change in programming. We will also offer three breakout sessions for networking, and our guest speaker will be Nathaniel Harding from Cortado Ventures, a $10MM venture capital fund focused on Oklahoma startups. Read More https://cortado.ventures

If you have questions about membership options or the renewal process, I hope that you will reach out to me, I am always happy to help.

Thank you in advance for your time. I hope this opportunity is as exciting for you as it is for Oklahoma Venture Forum.

Member Kick Off     Membership Options 

Who has pitched to OVF?

Oklahoma's Venture Forum

OVF is happy to announce our new online forum.

Inquire and receive answers to your questions about business planning, venture investing, policy, startup mentoring, and a variety of business and economic curiosities. 

OVF members can subscribe, follow and create topics for discussion.Once you have subscribed you will receive notifications when some one has asked a question or your topic has been answered.

If you are not an OVF member you will see the topics and the discussions, to comment or inquire you will need an OVF membership.

Forum

Hello,

I hope that you are healthy and doing well!

I haven’t spoken to many of you since our OVF Awards, and I want to assure you that our incoming Chairman Danny Slusarchuk, our dedicated Board of Directors and the Executive Committee and I, have all been extremely busy determining what is next for OVF.

COVID-19 has obliged us to closely examine OVF’s important role in diversifying Oklahoma’s economy. OVF develops Oklahoma’s economic ecosystem providing quality content, venture investment opportunity, pitch presentation practice, industry specific networking. OVF recognizes the achievements of successful Oklahoma companies. Our members include entrepreneurs, colleges, incubators, accelerators, venture investors, service professionals, and just about every other person who is interested in the advancement of small business in Oklahoma.

Impressive isn’t it?

It truly is impressive when you consider all the things that OVF does to connect, teach, and recognize. OVF offers purposeful networking for leaders of commerce. OVF programs create awareness of business opportunities and trends, and OVF annual awards spotlights outstanding Oklahoma success stories.

The world has changed significantly during the pandemic, and organizations like OVF continue to work towards diversifying Oklahoma's economy. OVF must continue to encourage and identify the importance of entrepreneurship in our state. We cannot do that without you, our members, and friends.

The OVF Board, Executive Committee and sub-committees have been virtually meeting often during the last several weeks looking for the best solution for our 33-year-old economic ecosystem. We could see from the annual surveys that the top three membership values of OVF are quality content in main speakers, investment opportunities in Pitch Presenters, and industry specific networking. With those core values in mind, we coordinated new programming for the 2020-2021 session that will deliver these three valued aspects of OVF to our members and friends safely!

The OVF 2020-2021 Session monthly Power Lunches will be delivered via Zoom. Since you will not be commuting to and parking at the meetings, we will be adding additional networking time. Each event will have three networking breakout sessions with randomly selected groups in each session.  This will ensure maximum networking opportunities. Each event will have a Pitch Presentation by a company in a growth stage, and a Main Speaker who will share success experiences, exit stories or other educational subject matter just like our in-person events in the past. These events will also be uploaded to our website for later viewing by members. Our online event programming also allows for three sponsorship opportunities.  If you are looking for a great way to introduce your company to OVF members and guests, this is a cost-effective way to say hello!

Your needs and your health are most important to us. We will continue to have virtual events until we can meet in-person safely. When we can meet safely, we will add after-hours networking events in open air locations. Face-to face meetings are important, and with our new programming layout we hope to double the number of after-hours events. If you have locations in mind, please share them with me.

While discussing how to proceed safely, we realized that our new programming would allow for statewide membership expansion. We have wanted to do this for a long time and have not been able to (do so successfully) for a variety of reasons. Virtual meetings have also revealed another opportunity for OVF - with the option of streaming and recorded events we will now be able to offer Incubator and Founder memberships that better suite their needs.

Wouldn't it be an amazing for small businesses, investors, incubators, colleges, and founders from all over Oklahoman to be able to access OVF’s quality content, potential venture investment opportunities, or the opportunity to pitch without driving to OKC? The COVID-19 situation has been disastrous for so many small businesses, founders, and citizens. OVF is very fortunate to have the ability to pivot and ensure our organization will continue to operate in its next 33 years as Oklahoma’s economic ecosystem.  

We have also launched our online forum, please subscribe to it and use it to seek out information, share information, or to engage directly with OVF. There are so many (NEW) benefits to OVF membership. I hope that you have time to visit the website and see all of the new tools available to you as an OVF member or friend. 

“Stay resilient, maintain the “Oklahoma Standard” and invite a guest to our upcoming membership drive.  This will be incredibly important for the success of these new offerings to succeed.  So please reach into your network. Find someone who you think would benefit from the many facets of the OVF economic ecosystem and all the new ways we are serving Oklahoma and let’s grow!  When OVF grows, your state and local communities grow.”

~2020-2021 Oklahoma Venture Forum Chairman, Danny Slusarchuk

Regards,
Ché Loessberg
Oklahoma Venture Forum
Executive Director

2020 Most Promising New Business Award Sponsor

The 2020 finalists for Most Promising New Business include: Galvanic Energy and Canopy Weather, LLC. Galvanic Energy addresses economic and technical barriers to create an abundant domestic supply of raw materials for alternative-energy future. Canopy Weather identifies roof condition and damage within 1 hour of hailstorms by using innovation within the data science and AI required to create the original dataset.

Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma 

BBB’s mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. We do this by

• Setting standards for marketplace trust
• Encouraging and supporting best practices by engaging with and educating consumers and businesses
• Celebrating marketplace role models
• Calling out and addressing substandard marketplace behavior
• Creating a community of trustworthy businesses and charities

BBB sees trust as a function of two primary factors – integrity and performance. Integrity includes respect, ethics and intent. Performance speaks to a business’s track record of delivering results in accordance with BBB standards and/or addressing customer concerns in a timely, satisfactory manner

2020 Venture of the Year Award Sponsor

2020 Venture of the Year finalists include: Insights to Behavior and SendaRide. Insights to Behavior is an innovative behavior management company offering an exciting, new technology-based solution for developing behavior interventions for K-12 school districts. SendaRide provides customized non-emergency medical transport for the health care industry through use of an online technology platform.

Mariner Wealth Advisors believes everyone can benefit from professional advice. As your advocate, they help you make informed financial decisions so that you may live a fulfilling life.

At Mariner Wealth Advisors, we don’t just provide you with services, we serve as your partner. 

We take the time to get to know you beyond your finances. We want to know your dreams and aspirations, your challenges, your plans and your priorities. We strive to understand your goals so we can create a plan to help you achieve what is important to you. We don’t propose services, we provide solutions.  

This approach is an integral part of our firm, rooted in our culture since our founding in 2006 when our CEO, Marty Bicknell, and seven of his colleagues were inspired to launch a new type of firm – one that always puts the client first. 

Mariner Wealth Advisors was founded with a vision of helping clients and their families navigate their financial futures. The firm was specifically designed based on client feedback with the aim of solving more issues than a traditional advisory firm. We strive to go beyond finding solutions to problems faced by our clients. Our goal and unique value is in helping you identify potential issues that you may not yet see. We look beyond what is currently visible and try to see what may be around the corner. That’s how we help you. 

The firm, built upon this foundation, now has offices nationwide serving a wide range of clients. Regardless of our growth, one thing will never change – the promise that launched this voyage in the first place:

Client first. Associate second. Shareholder last.

Winners to be announced at 16th OVF Venture of the Year & Most Promising New Business Awards.

You are invited! Please invite a guest!

OVF will host Oklahoma’s 16^th Venture of the Year and Most Promising New Business awards ceremony on May 13^th, 2020 via Zoom online.  Featuring keynote speaker Scott Klososky, Founding Partner with Future Point of View.

Evaluation criteria for the two awards are based on: product or service innovation, market potential, potential economic impact, and more.

2020 Venture of the Year finalists include:Insights to Behavior and SendaRide. Insights to Behavior is an innovative behavior management company offering an exciting, new technology-based solution for developing behavior interventions for K-12 school districts. SendaRide provides customized non-emergency medical transport for the health care industry through use of an online technology platform.

The 2020 finalists for Most Promising New Business include: Galvanic Energy and Canopy Weather, LLC. Galvanic Energy addresses economic and technical barriers to create an abundant domestic supply of raw materials for alternative-energy future. Canopy Weather identifies roof condition and damage within 1 hour of hailstorms by using innovation within the data science and AI required to create the original dataset.

“We are always blown away by the competition and look forward to seeing what new innovations will come next. Historically this event was held biannually but considering Oklahoma’s entrepreneurial growth OVF will now be seeking submissions for these awards each year. Each round of nominations & applications reveals a new group of entrepreneurial pioneers who deserve to be publicly recognized for their achievements.” explains Che’ Loessberg, Executive Director of Oklahoma Venture Forum.

This year’s award event will feature an interactive presentation by special keynote speaker Scott Klososky, Founding Partner of Future Point of View.  The 2020 Venture of the Year and Most Promising New Business Awards will be hosted on May 13^th, 2020 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The ceremony will take place via Zoom online. Registration for this event must be done online through the website: www.ovf.org. 

Learn More & Register to Attend

It should come as no surprise to anyone reading this, but I certainly had no idea my tenure as Chairman of the Oklahoma Venture Forum would be such a wild ride. Thanks Coronavirus! Our unofficial theme was “you CAN do that in Oklahoma” which has proven true each and every day.

We started the 2019-2020 session off in a great way with our membership drive in August of last year in a beautiful loft on Film Row filled with exotic sports cars. I had the honor of introducing my friend, personal hero and true American patriot Major Ed Pulido, US Army (ret.) who spoke with us about creating opportunities from major setbacks. Major Ed (as he is most known) is living proof of overcoming obstacles to become an even better version of yourself. On the 17th of August 2004, Major Pulido hit an Improvised Explosive Device (I.E.D) or roadside bomb while serving in Iraq. Due to the extensive injuries to his left knee, doctors had to amputate his left leg. Major Ed did not let the loss of his leg, a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or PTSD from the explosion stop him or even slow him down. In fact, he uses it as motivation every single day. The list of Major Ed’s accomplishments and efforts supporting veterans and military families over the last 15 years is way too long to post here. Major Ed is a shining example of overcoming your darkest days.

The Oklahoma Venture Forum as an organization, our members collectively and each of us individually cannot control the COVID-19 pandemic or the massive impact on our personal and professional lives. But we can react to it. We can work together to create positive outcomes from unprecedented upheaval and uncertainty. We can adapt, collaborate, and marshal our resources to rescue not only our business interest but the economies of our cities, state, and nation. The time for smart, capable, and experienced business leaders working together on solving the problems created by COVID-19 is now. OVF members joining with our local governments, civic and non-profit organizations can and will put us all back on the right path to opportunity and economic freedom.

Last week, we observed the 25th anniversary of the tragic event that occurred in Oklahoma City on April 19th, 2005. The Oklahoma City bombing revealed to the whole world what those of us who live here already knew. We are collectively stronger than anything that tries to destroy us. Many call this the “Oklahoma Standard”. I love that. A terrorist attack, oil bust, dust bowl or pandemic will not stop the people of this state from getting up every morning and doing the work necessary to provide for our families and our neighbors. We do what is right, we do our best and we never give up.

Despite COVID-19, OVF continues to provide information and connection for the Oklahoma business community. In April, we held our first-ever virtual Power Lunch meeting with a presentation via Zoom from COOP Ale Works CEO Daniel Mercer. Attendance online while maintaining social distancing was better than expected, we a great amount of positive feedback. I want to personally thank everyone for participating or watching the video afterward if you could not attend the event in real-time. To end this roller coaster of a session, we will hold our annual Venture of the Year & Most Promising New Business event on May 13th via Zoom as well. All our finalists will be involved, and our winners will deliver acceptance speeches in real-time. Our keynote speaker is internationally renowned futurist Scott Klososky, Founder of Future Point of View. Klososky will be leading an interactive presentation that will fully utilize the online format. We may not be in the same room together, but we will be enlightened, entertained and challenged by Klososky’s presentation. 

As I wrap up the 2019-2020 session, I want to give a few shout outs. The first goes to OVF Executive Director Ché Loessberg. She has made my year as Chairman run smoothly as possible and she has worked extra hard the last few months to ensure everyone receives the maximum value of OVF membership. A big shout out to the Venture of the Year & Most Promising New Business award sponsors Mariner Wealth and the Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma. Specifically, Joe Hendrix and Kitt Letcher for continuing to support the VOTY / MPNB event despite all the changes from the traditional format. A great example of working together during tough times. Also, a heartfelt Thank You to the board of directors, executive committee and every member or guest who attended OVF events this year. It has been my honor to work with all of you this session. I cannot wait to do it one more time on May 13th, even if it is from separate locations.

We will end the 2019-2020 session the same way we started, with our unofficial theme of “you CAN do that in Oklahoma” along with a collective can-do attitude, unbridled optimism, and support for anyone who needs it. That is the Oklahoma Standard.

Thank you!

Kyle Golding