Jake Hamann is the founder, president and CEO of OneFire, a Peoria-based innovation agency and digital technology company, and cofounder of Startup Peoria, an organization that works to develop and promote the entrepreneurial startup community in Greater Peoria.
At OneFire, Hamann is responsible for leading the company’s overall strategy and direction. In just three years, he has built a team of more than 30 talented “ideators” who deliver innovative experiences that inspire, impact and transform. Meanwhile, his efforts at Startup Peoria have been critical in helping more than a dozen entrepreneurs launch new businesses over the past two years.
Through Startup Peoria, Hamann has helped implement a number of key programs, including 1 Million Cups, a weekly gathering and networking event for entrepreneurs; KeyStart, an idea submission and pitch competition that invests in new business ideas; Startup Weekend, a three-day event focused on generating ideas and establishing the viability of new business ventures; and The Nest, a coworking space in Peoria’s Warehouse District, which currently hosts a dozen clients working to launch successful businesses.
Hamann’s passion for entrepreneurship has taken him across the country, meeting with leaders of other startup communities and identifying successful models for Greater Peoria. He now serves on the leadership team of the Startup Champions Network and has become an influential leader at the national level with the U.S. Department of Commerce.
In addition, Hamann serves on the board of directors for the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council and the Downtown Development Corporation of Peoria. He is a contributor to the Whiskey City Collaborative, an effort that seeks to inspire and bring together like-minded people, businesses and organizations to make a difference in Peoria. A devoted father and husband, Hamann is a 6 Sigma Green Belt and the recipient of a GOLD ADDY award from the American Advertising Federation. iBi
