Oklahoma’s i2E Inc. recently awarded proof-of-concept money to its 100th Oklahoma technology company.

A3 Environ recently received the funds through the Technology Business Finance Program, managed by i2E for the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology.

i2E has given more than $9.3 million to new companies though the program’s history. Recipients can use the funds to build prototypes, make equipment purchases, hire critical employees, validate the target market and other key needs for companies working toward commercialization of a new product.

Companies that have received funding over the life of the program include Advanced Academics, Anyware Mobile Solutions, Hostbridge Technology, SouthWest NanoTechnologies and Novazyme.

“When this fund was created by the state Legislature in the late 1990s, there was little proof-of-concept capital available to help Oklahoma entrepreneurs advance their technologies,” said Tom Walker, i2E’s president and CEO.  “Now, more than a decade later the fund has provided an essential element in the start-up and growth of literally dozens of Oklahoma companies.”