Impact Report 2025
How Octane assisted companies in raising $11.1B since 2010.
Reflections on 2024 and the Road Ahead
Pictured: Bill Carpou, CEO of Octane, Errol Arkilic, PhD, Chief Innovation Officer of UC Irvine and Executive Director of UCI Beall Applied Innovation, and Jeff Ball, President and Chief Executive Officer of Orange County Business Council — partners of OC Innovation Week.
As we reflect on 2024, it has been a year of both challenges and significant progress. At Octane, our mission to connect and propel Southern California’s innovation community has never been stronger. Thanks to the dedication of our team and the unwavering support of our partners and sponsors, we have expanded our impact, strengthened key relationships, and opened new doors for growth.
Octane Connect, our platform for creating and distributing content primarily through our signature events, has now reached over 130,000 attendees cumulatively. This platform continues to be a catalyst for driving innovation and investment in Aesthetics, Ophthalmology, and Cardiovascular industries. In 2024, we expanded our focus by introducing Neurovascular and Neuroscience as a key industry, with its inaugural event set for April 4, 2025. Additionally, OC Innovation Week provided a foundation to build upon for 2025, and we proudly collaborated with AIMed for their annual AI in Healthcare conference.
Our LaunchPad SBDC program has maintained its track record of fostering highly fundable and promising companies across the industries we serve. Since its inception in 2012, the pro bono process, supported by the SBDC, has helped create 2,153 companies, raising a remarkable $11.1 billion in capital. These companies continue to perform in the top decile, with 90.5% remaining operational. Along this journey, we’ve also contributed to the creation of 36,940 high-paying jobs, strengthening our community and economic ecosystem.
Octane Capital & Growth has further expanded its services, accelerating access to capital, revenue generation, and commercialization for the companies leveraging our platform. Supported by our strategic partnerships with institutional VC firms, family offices, and private investors, this platform continues to unlock opportunities for both entrepreneurs and investors.
Community centricity is at the core of our organization. Our STEAM Ahead initiative now engages 60 organizations, and in 2024, we provided 59 internships to students from local universities. Our Non-Profit Accelerator has collaborated with 52 local non-profits, collectively serving 307,000 individuals in Orange County. Additionally, our Women Leaders of Octane program supports over 1,000 women, helping them attract more capital and build meaningful relationships, while preparing more than 100 for roles on public, private, or nonprofit boards.
Looking ahead, we are excited to announce our collaboration with Experian to develop an AI Innovation Hub that will serve all of Southern California. With the region’s rich talent pool and cutting-edge infrastructure, we believe this initiative will position Southern California as a leader in AI development and deployment.
As we enter 2025, we remain committed to driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and empowering the communities we serve.
But we can’t do it alone.
We invite you to join us, whether as a partner, sponsor, entrepreneur, or investor to help shape the future of innovation. Let’s build on this momentum together.
Warm regards,
Bill Carpou CEO, Octane
About Octane
Impact Metrics
LaunchPad SBDC
Octane Capital & Growth
Octane Foundation for Innovation
Signature Events
Visionary Ventures / Elevation Ventures Octane Impact Fund
Our Value Drivers
We convene and enable the Southern California tech and medtech ecosystem by connecting people, resources, and capital.
Building the SoCal of Tomorrow
Convening organization for innovation and content creation across Southern California
Accelerator for Late Seed & Series A companies
COMMUNITY
Catalyst for high-paying job creation and community activation & engagement
CAPITAL & GROWTH
Solutions to raise capital & accelerate revenue growth & commercialization
A global hub for AI Innovation and decision intelligence offering predictive analytics for investors CONNECT
AI
INNOVATION & ANALYTICS
$11.1B Here’s what we accomplished.
TOTAL CAPITAL RAISED
raised by Octane LaunchPad SBDC Alumni & supported companies*
CAPITAL IN EXITS (IPOS, M&AS, ETC.)
$10.5B
by Octane LaunchPad SBDC Alumni & supported companies*
COMPANIES ASSISTED
2,153
by Octane*, with 189 in 2024.
HIGH-PAYING JOBS CREATED
by Octane LaunchPad SBDC Alumni and supporting companies* with 3,519 in 2024.
36,940 +24% 90.5%
YOY CAPITAL RAISE INCREASE SUSTAINABILITY OVERVIEW
percentage of Octane LaunchPad SBDC Alumni still operational*
On average, company funding increased from $2.5M to $3.1M.
*Since 2010. All data is validated by Deloitte, PitchBook, and ZoomInfo.
John Wiet, Director of LaunchPad SBDC Accelerator, shares insights on crafting compelling investor pitches during his Lunch With Experts session at Octane’s Medical Innovation Forum.
LaunchPad SBDC Accelerator
LaunchPad SBDC, our awardwinning accelerator program, is generously offered pro-bono thanks to the support of SBDC and SBA.
Our comprehensive program optimizes presentation assets and capital funding strategies for local life sciences/device and technology startups who are in the growth and commercialization stage of their startup journey.
Our accelerator has four essential components:
Enhancing your capital funding strategy to ensure a polished investor presentation and readiness for your next round of investment capital
Providing valuable feedback from internal and external subject matter experts spanning product launch strategies to foundational processes
Offering predictive analytics for detailed quantitative insights into your company’s future success
As alumni, granting you access to a network of seasoned and vetted advisors and professionals who actively advocate on behalf of your startup
Outset Ops
“IRVINEI
Testimonial
Working with LaunchPad SBDC was transformative for my business. Their expert guidance and tailored resources helped streamline my investor pitch and business operations.
LaunchPad SBDC was instrumental in helping me navigate investor perspectives and mindset. Their guidance equipped me with the tools and strategies needed to effectively communicate my vision.
KHURRAM HUSSAIN, CEO OF IRVINEI
Testimonial
The single biggest challenge that LaunchPad SBDC helped Outset overcome was clarity in messaging, especially when presenting to potential investors. Our investor deck and our ability to raise funds have improved dramatically.
Members of the LaunchPad SBDC spent many hours reviewing Outset materials and coaching us on how to make them better. The coaching was exceptionally valuable.
DAREN LAUDA, CEO OF OUTSET OPS
xMotion, Inc. Epic Charging
I primarily worked with Tapasya Bali and Bill Waldo. We met online every three to four weeks. Each meeting involved in-depth review of my business, the marketing plan, the GTM, the Value Proposition, and the pitch deck development. Clear, unbiased, honest correction and direction.
The whole process was extremely professional and was not rushed like typical pay-as-you-go programs.
I only wish that I had started with them one year ago!
ROB TONDREAULT, CEO OF XMOTION, INC.
My experience with LaunchPad SBDC has been invaluable. They provided exceptional mentoring, helping us refine our business model and pitch deck, which greatly strengthened our overall approach. The pitch session with industry experts and investors was a key highlight, offering practical feedback and exposure.
The support from LaunchPad has played a significant role in positioning Epic Charging for success.
MICHAEL BAKUNIN, CEO OF EPIC CHARGING
Octane Capital & Growth
You bring the innovation, we bring the introductions.
Portfolio Companies
Capital Assist
By featuring innovations at Octane events and making targeted introductions, we help companies find the resources they need to raise capital and grow.
2024 Choice Award Winners
ARUNA REVOLUTION (DAY 2 - JUDGE’S CHOICE & PEOPLE’S CHOICE)
SINAPTICA THERAPEUTICS (DAY 1 - JUDGE’S CHOICE & PEOPLE’S CHOICE)
CORDEX SYSTEMS (PEOPLE’S CHOICE) QUANTUS CARDIOVASCULAR (JUDGE’S CHOICE)
OCUTELL (JUDGE’S CHOICE) MYOPTECHS ( PEOPLE’S CHOICE)
GUAC APP
(JUDGE’S CHOICE & PEOPLE’S CHOICE)
TRIPLE HAIR (JUDGE’S CHOICE) TRUFACIAL (PEOPLE’S CHOICE)
Medical Innovation Forum
Medical Innovation Forum
Tech Innovation Forum
Haystax
For investors and accelerators, Haystax is a decision intelligence Tool that can predict a startup’s success with 90% accuracy using ML, our Capital Readiness Rubric and our historical database of nearly 100,000 data points.
AI Pitch Video Analysis Tool
Get instant, data-driven feedback on your startup pitch with Haystax Pitch Video Analysis Tool. Upload your 5-10 minute entrepreneur pitch video, and our Haystax GPT Judge will automatically evaluate based on our database, providing a fully completed rubric score along with actionable insights.
Objective & Consistent Feedback: Move beyond subjective opinions with a standardized assessment.
Data-Driven Fundability Insights: Understand where your pitch stands and how to improve.
Completely Automated: No manual scoring or bias—just data-driven, AI-powered feedback.
Octane Preferred Advisors (OPAs)
In our commitment to foster the comprehensive growth of companies in the Octane ecosystem, Octane Capital & Growth offers tailored growth services. This initiative taps into a network of top tier and vetted third-party resources, delivering operational expertise to small, mid-market, and large/ mature companies.
Through our curated portfolio of Octane Preferred Advisors (OPAs), we provide exclusive access to best-in-class services with customized programs and pricing, expediting your journey to milestones and boosting revenue goals efficiently.
Octane Preferred Advisors deliver valuable, custom solutions across various functional areas, including Human Resources, Finance & Accounting outsourcing, and Go-To-Market Strategy and Execution.
Octane Peer Groups
A standout feature of Octane Growth Services is our Executive Peer Groups. Tailored for CEOs in life sciences and Marketing leaders, these memberships offer a unique space for personal and professional growth.
Designed to facilitate effective decisionmaking through focused peer input and confidential advisory groups, our Peer Groups empower executives to excel both individually and collectively.
28 200+
32+
Net New OPA and Founder Introductions
Functional service areas of expertise offered Total Octane Preferred Advisors (7 added in 2024)
Octane Foundation for Innovation (OFI)
Octane Foundation for Innovation (OFI) was launched as a complement to Octane’s mission of creating 55,000+ high-paying jobs by 2030.
The Foundation is focused on advancing and funding women founded and led companies, in life sciences and tech sectors alongside Octane’s mission of strengthening the Southern California innovation ecosystem with sustainable STEAM non-profits, scaling startups, and developing businesses.
WOMEN LEADERS OF OCTANE
NON-PROFIT ACCELERATOR
Because innovation needs every voice.
Women Leaders of Octane
Women Leaders of Octane (WLO) exists to transform Orange County’s innovation landscape by increasing the social and economic impact of women in business.
WLO Co-Chairs
Tara Capalbo, AbbVie & Natalie Harney, Insperity
Chair, Ashley Fairon, Silicon Valley Bank
Chair: Nanneke Dinklo, Materna Med
Co-Chair: Marinela Gombosev, SPARK Neuro
Our Purpose
We’re focused on four key missions: getting more women-founded companies through LaunchPad boosting investment in women-led businesses
providing opportunities for highly qualified women to join corporate boards
supporting women in their professional development through mentorship and resource access
Chair: Maria Moskver, Cloudvirga Co-Chair: Summer Taylor, Deloitte
But we’re not just dreamers—we’re doers, with a powerful network of accomplished women who expand our reach, inform our strategies, and inspire the next generation of leaders.
Chair: Elaine Marshall, Empowered PR
Inaugural Women Leaders of Octane
Forum
Resources
Standing-room only at Pacific Life’s headquarters during OC Innovation Week, the event brought together 50+ leaders for honest conversations about the challenges and triumphs of women in tech and life sciences.
Through our Women on Boards Registry, Deloitte Board Prep & Readiness Series and other resources, we’re creating concrete pathways for women to claim their seats at the decision-making table.
Learning from Leaders
Meeting Attendees Women on Boards Registry WLO Members
Our quarterly virtual sessions feature insights from accomplished executives sharing their wisdom and lessons learned.
Jasmina Brooks, President of Biosense Webster, offered perspectives from her 25-year journey in cardiovascular medicine and authentic leadership.
Sabina Pons, Managing Director of Growth Molecules, shared how she grew SaaS businesses from $14M to $100M+ as a working mom.
Celine Martin, Company Group Chairman at Johnson & Johnson, shared lessons from leading global MedTech businesses exceeding $5B.
Sophia Ononye, PhD, MPH, MBA, Founder of Sophia Consulting Firm detailed how to turn technical expertise into memorable stories.
Non-Profit Accelerator
In Southern California, numerous non-profits work to drive positive change, but many face the ongoing challenge of sustaining their business plans.
Octane addresses this issue by using our acclaimed LaunchPad SBDC process to bolster the fiscal sustainability of non-profits, build their capacity, and enhance their impact in the community. We specifically target non-profits advancing STEM and healthcare programs, particularly those serving underrepresented communities. Our initiative centers on three main goals, seen to the right.
Thanks to the generous backing of the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, a dedicated partner in our mission to provide essential resources to Southern California, we express our heartfelt appreciation for their ongoing support and forward-thinking guidance. Together, we’re cultivating enduring change and fortifying our community’s groundwork.
Our Goals
We’re focused on three key missions: Using the LaunchPad SBDC Accelerator process, we enable non-profits to make a greater and lasting impact in the community.
Our Non-Profit Accelerator program assists non-profits in refining strategies and presentations to secure vital grants and funding.
Octane advocates for nonprofits’ self-sustainability while fulfilling their crucial missions, making the Non-Profit Accelerator pivotal in achieving long-term viability.
“The advice received from Linda and Paul, along with their panel, has given my team a renewed awareness and strategy to grow infrastructure as we expand RAD Camp.
RAD’s challenges are unique, yet through this program I was given the ability to see through a different lens the realistic goals that RAD Camp can achieve in the coming years - and how to sustain that growth and build a team that can flourish. The program’s energy, insight and experts is a truly priceless experience that invests in the people they coach and the communities they serve. Thank you Octane!
MEGHAN CLEM, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, RAD CAMP
307k+ 52 9
OC-based non-profit graduates since 2019 Cohort Graduates in 2024
Individuals Served in Underrepresented & Underserved Communities in Southern California
We brought together non-profits, funders, and experts for an inspiring afternoon of collaboration and community-building.
Keynote speaker Jack Toan of JT Consulting set the stage with insights from his extensive background in philanthropy. 7 non-profits showcased their initiatives during the Pitch Lab, with Dreams for Schools winning first place, followed by Cancer Kinship and Vital Link.
Community Impact Celebration
The Community Impact Reception brought together an incredible mix of leaders, innovators, and changemakers as we wrapped up Octane’s Medical Innovation Forum.
We celebrated the outstanding impact of STEM non-profits including Active Discovery, Beyond Blindness, Cancer Kinship, and Child Creativity Lab. Industry leaders like Allison Liu from Experian and Summer Taylor from Deloitte joined non-profit executives including Mary Ann Sprague and Yoli Origel to share stories of impact and transformation.
STEAM Ahead
STEAM Ahead remains central to Octane’s dedication to fostering innovation and educational empowerment.
This initiative is guided by three key objectives:
Broaden entry into the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem for underrepresented groups, expanding students’ connectivity for entrepreneurial success.
Foster innovation essential for sustained growth, ensuring the county remains an innovation hub.
Expand the talent pool for Orange County through STEAM opportunities and internships, cultivating a pipeline of skilled individuals ready to contribute to the region’s growth.
Thanks to the generous support from the Broadcom Foundation and Sun Family Foundation, STEAM Ahead thrives.
Their dedication to empowering and educating students aligns perfectly with Octane’s vision. We deeply appreciate their pivotal role in making STEAM Ahead a catalyst for positive change in Orange County.
Together, we’re shaping a future where innovation, education, and opportunity converge for our community’s benefit.
About Child Creativity Lab: Child Creativity Lab uses kits containing upcycled materials alongside expertly crafted lesson plans to encourage creative thinking and problem solving in children.
Child Creativity Lab CEO Tracy Hill exhibiting at the Community Impact Celebtration at Octane’s Medical Innovation Forum.
Next Wave
The best way to keep talent in a place is to make it a place they’re excited to grow in. That’s what Next Wave is about.
This year, that meant creating more opportunities for students to connect with the people and ideas shaping Orange County’s future. By bringing them into our conferences and community gatherings, and recognizing emerging leaders with the Next Wave Award, we’re not just developing talent— we’re making sure they see a place for themselves here.
The impact goes beyond any single event. Every connection made, every conversation sparked, helps build a stronger, more connected ecosystem—one where the next generation doesn’t just pass through but chooses to stay and lead.
We believe that by amplifying new voices, we’re investing in the future of ideas.
At Tech Innovation Forum, Michael Ross and Kyle Deck from UC Irvine’s Rocket Project Team proudly shared their journey from their foundational focus on solid rockets in 2005 to the successful launch of UCI’s first liquid rocket, an endeavor that not only reached 9,100 feet but is ambitiously targeting a new altitude record for their fuel type in the next two years. When students have a seat at the table, they shape what comes next.
That’s why we welcomed students from local universities such as UCLA Biodesign AI, to students across the world (University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez) to our Forums. From conversations with industry leaders to understanding how innovation moves from idea to impact, these experiences help students develop the confidence and connections that set them apart.
internships provided to students from local universities
Bringing in talent means opening doors to homegrown minds and bright innovators from across the world.
2023 Next Wave Award Winner, Maáza Martin (Tarsus Pharmaceuticals), passes the baton to 2024 Next Wave Winner Shannon Lam (Knobbe Martens).
healthsocal.ai
Our vision is to create a healthier future in Southern California and beyond via innovative, community-focused solutions.
We deliver AI for Social Good solutions that provide community level and individual level insights and trends that help improve health outcomes and empower individuals to take agency in their own mental health and make more effective lifestyle decisions.
Connect
We focus on what works for innovation — getting industry leaders, investors, and startups in the same room to make real things happen.
At Octane events, you’re joining a community that stays connected long after the event ends. We create an environment where meaningful relationships form naturally - whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking capital, a strategic looking for innovation, or a physician exploring new technologies.
Our track record shows it: the connections made here transform into lasting partnerships, successful exits, and groundbreaking collaborations.
That’s because we focus on quality over quantity - it’s not about collecting business cards, it’s about meeting the right people who will make a real difference in your business journey.
AESTHETICS TECH FORUM
TECH INNOVATION FORUM
OPHTHALMOLOGY TECH FORUM
CARDIOVASCULAR TECH FORUM
HIGH TECH AWARDS
MEDICAL INNOVATION FORUM
Inaugural Neuro Tech Forum Coming in 2025!
Products should really only find their place in a market if they solve for the unsolved and if they actually work. Then you face the reality. Great technologies don’t suffice. They need great people.
JOSH MAKOWER, MD
The first forum of the year showcased breakthrough insights from leaders like Josh Makower (Stanford Biodesign), who challenged conventional innovation approaches and Erik Haines (Guidepoint Qsight), who revealed significant market shifts in neurotoxins and body aesthetics. Notable discussions included the “Psychology of the Consumer” panel with Lynn Heublein (SkinSpirit) and Clint Carnell (Greyspace), and a timely exploration of “The Weight Loss Revolution” examining the transformative impact of semaglutides on aesthetic practices.
During the Octane Capital & Growth presentations, six innovative companies took center stage: TruFacial (People’s Choice), DREAMADERM, Collplant, Tissue and Cell Technologies, Triple Hair (Judge’s Choice), and LionHeart Health. The event spotlighted crucial developments in hair restoration, skin quality, and AI implementation, with experts like Tomoko YamagishiDressler (Evolus) sharing compelling insights on digital strategy and consumer engagement.
160+
14.6k
450+ engagements on event app companies represented total attendees
Orange County just demonstrated why it’s becoming a serious tech hub, and not just because of the weather. The 2024 OC Innovation Week, powered by Octane, UCI, and OCBC, brought together the region’s most promising founders and industry veterans. The kickoff featured ARCHES CEO Angelina Galiteva announcing a renewable hydrogen initiative that’s set to cut 2M metric tons of carbon emissions and create 220,000 green jobs - the kind of ambitious project that transforms regions into innovation powerhouses.
Twenty-five early-stage companies pitched at Fast Pitch, with Sapphire Technologies taking the win. Kathleen Peters from Experian tackled the AI elephant in the room, laying out five tenets for responsible AI development. Two of Orange County’s most influential tech leaders, Palmer Luckey of Anduril Industries and William Wang of VIZIO, shared their entrepreneurial journeys and vision for the region’s future. The money folks were there too - La Keisha Landrum Pierre, Alex Marquez, and Bruce Virga shared hard truths about raising capital. Guac App captured both People’s and Judge’s Choice awards, proving Orange County’s ability to build and scale meaningful tech companies.
10.6k 290+ 530+ engagements on event app companies represented total attendees
This was an outstanding eventhave been talking to my friends about it!
Production values really enhance the experience; networking is so easy.
Vision Meets Venture
Our keynote, Euan Thomson (Carl Zeiss Meditec) illuminated how data utilization and AI are transforming patient care. The event showcased breakthrough innovations from our portfolio companies, including Ocutell’s home monitoring technology for AMD patients (Judge’s Choice) and Myoptechs’ Faceted Optical System (People’s Choice) for myopia control –both addressing critical unmet needs in ophthalmology.
Eye on the Future
The Forum exemplified Octane’s unique ability to unite every crucial player in ophthalmology innovation: surgeons providing frontline insights, industry giants sharing market vision, and startups presenting groundbreaking solutions. Panel discussions with leaders from Genentech, AbbVie, and Alcon revealed a $4.5B market opportunity in the anterior segment and underscored the transformative potential of gene therapy and continuous drug delivery.
This was one of the best and most well-planned events that I have attended. Exceptional job to all of the Octane team.”
260+
11.3k
460+ engagements on event app companies represented total attendees
The much-anticipated High Tech Awards celebrates the top innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology leaders in Orange County. It recognizes those individuals and companies who make Orange County an epicenter of technology and medical technology innovation.
2024 was a remarkable year with 40+ finalists across 11 categories. Congratulations to all the nominees, finalists and winners!
Best Clean-Tech/ Green Company
Best Innovation in Medtech — Life Science
Best Technology CEO
Best Emerging Disruptor
Best Technology Company
Best Technology Leadership Team
Next Wave Award
Vision & Leadership Award
Best Enterprise or B2B Technology Innovation
Best Consumer Technology Innovation
Best Innovation In Medtech — Device
BDP EnviroTech
ICEYE US
Cognoa
Hans Keirstead, PhD Immunis
Esperto Medical
Celluma by BioPhotas
Technologent
Shannon Lam Knobbe Martens
Open Sesame Media
Vertos Medical
Shaista Malik, MD, PhD, MPH UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute
Ones To Watch
CStream, Inc Dexigan 3D Stimcore Medical Devices
Hard Truths in Heart Tech
CTF 2024 panel content and speakers were terrific and seems to be improving each year.
DIRECT RESPONSE FROM SURVEY
Honoring the Past, Powering Tomorrow
11.7k engagements on event app 120+ companies represented total attendees September 12-13,
At the third annual Forum, Broadview Ventures’ Maria Berkman, MD kicked off with a clear message: cardiovascular innovation demands both vision and execution. The morning hit full stride when Biosense Webster’s Chad Rice assembled a power panel - William Cohn, MD from Texas Medical Center, CathWorks’ Ramin Mousavi, and Stanford’s Joseph Wu tackling the industry’s blindspots.
Later, Wu’s keynote cut through innovation myths, drawing from his roles at Stanford and American Heart Association. Arshad Quadri, MD moderated Berkman and Excelestar Ventures’ Tasneem Dohadwala, revealing exactly why promising startups hear “no” - and how to turn it into a “yes.” The day included sessions on consumerization in cardiovascular care, pediatric innovation development, and the future of artificial hearts.
Cordex won People’s Choice Award with their portable vascular monitoring system, and Quantus Cardiovascular won the Judge’s Choice and a $25,000 AHA Innovator Network membership for their left ventricle reshaping breakthrough. The day honored Fred St. Goar, MD with the Innovation Prize, recognizing the MitraClip pioneer who proved great ideas take time.
Innovation Forum
Biodesign Meets Brain Health
From Industry to Impact
Key panels included “A View From Strategics: MedTech Innovation Through Industry Leaders,” moderated by Octane Co-Founder Jim Mazzo, “Wearables for Monitoring and Managing Cancer Treatment” led by Dr. Michael Brant-Zawadzki (Hoag), and “Innovations and Impact: The Neuro Frontier in Orange County” moderated by Khurram Mir (UCI Health). The event wrapped up with the Community Impact Celebration honoring STEM nonprofits, demonstrating the powerful intersection of innovation and social impact in Orange County’s medical technology ecosystem.
16.9K 510+ companies represented engagements on event app total attendees
The 2024 Medical Innovation Forum brought together the biggest names in healthcare innovation. Featured speakers included Stanford’s Josh Makower on biodesign innovation, sports icon Leigh Steinberg on brain health, and industry titans from AbbVie, Edwards Lifesciences, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, and Medtronic. Sinaptica Therapeutics and Aruna Revolution swept the Choice Awards, while Dr. Anthony Chang took home the Medical Innovation Prize for his groundbreaking contributions to Orange County’s medical landscape. 140+
OMIF is my favorite industry event of the year.
DIRECT RESPONSE FROM SURVEY DIRECT RESPONSE FROM SURVEY
Loved the show, looking forward to 2025!
Visionary Ventures believes that better information leads to better investments with exceptional returns.
Visionary Ventures is a dynamic venture capital fund specializing in life sciences and the future of ophthalmology, founded by Octane in 2015. Octane contributes as the founding general partner. From early-stage Series A rounds in clinical trials to late-stage rounds in commercialization, the fund opportunistically invests at various stages of a company’s growth, with a target investment range of $5M to $15M. Visionary Ventures’ unique approach centers around gathering crucial information for better investments and exceptional returns.
The fund achieves this through strategic partnerships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), industry experts, and strategic acquirers. With a team of specialists and industry leaders, Visionary Ventures gains a distinct advantage in making informed decisions about venture investments.
Beyond financial returns, the fund focuses on funding companies that address unmet or underserved markets, contributing to larger societal impact. Visionary Ventures seeks innovative and proven entrepreneurs turning exciting ideas into market-leading businesses. This focused venture capital fund guides companies from Series A to commercialization, providing targeted investments and strategic support.
Visionary Ventures is shaping the future of life sciences and ophthalmology.
Pictured: Richard Lindstrom, MD, Toby Tyson, MD, FACS, and John Hovanesian on Visionary Ventures’ Investment Committee, speaking at Ophthalmology Tech Forum on “ Private Equity - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly”.
Elevation Ventures grew out of a partnership between Sustain SoCal and Octane.
Led by former Google executive, Neal Rickner, the Fund focuses on Seed to Series A climate and sustainability companies, leveraging Octane’s LaunchPad accelerator and Sustain SoCal’s extensive network of energy and sustainability professionals to accelerate progress and amplify impact.
The partnership recognized that by leveraging each other’s respective strengths and capabilities it could have an immediate and meaningful impact on the climate crisis and economic growth in the region while providing attractive returns to the investors.
Founders’ access to capital in the Southern California has been the single major impediment to climate tech growth in the region.
Elevation Ventures aims to change that.
Net Zero Transformation is a Massive Market Opportunity.
Fueled by the availability of public and private capital and tailwinds from public and private ESG, net zero, and sustainability commitments.
SoCal Generates Category-Leading Companies but Lacks Sufficient VC.
Southern California is an innovation hub with high per-capita R&D investment and high GDP but less available venture capital than regional peers.
Google[x] Approach + Octane Strategy + Sustain Experts = Wins.
Google[x] thought leadership in tech innovation and moonshot thinking combined with the Octane strategy that has produced top-decile venture returns, and Sustain Socal’s industry expertise will lead to great investment decisions.
Octane Impact Fund
What will your legacy be?
OUR LEGACY WILL BE...
Clean energy access for everyone.
A.K. VENUS JENKINS
CEO & CO-FOUNDER, CHARGENET
STATIONS
“
OUR LEGACY WILL BE...
Saving lives with early cancer detection.
GARY FRAZIER CHIEF GROWTH OFFICER HELIO GENOMICS
Be part of the legacy that’s elevating Orange County, fueling innovation, creating high-paying jobs, and driving a healthier, brighter future for all.
Let’s explore the stories of these passionate innovators and uncover what drives their journey towards a better future.
“
OUR LEGACY WILL BE...
Treating all skin tones with the most advanced technology.
IRINA ERENBERG CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AVAVA, INC
Be a Legacy Leader
At Octane, we are on a mission to transform Southern California’s tech and medtech landscape. Our commitment to fueling innovation has launched the Octane Impact Fund, a fund to bring about lasting generational change.
Southern California’s potential knows no bounds, but to unlock it, we need to invest in the future. The Octane Impact Fund is our strategic response to this challenge. By channeling resources into existing successful Octane programs, we’re supercharging their impact, creating a ripple effect that reverberates across industries, communities, and generations.
Support the Octane Impact Fund today to:
FREDDIE SARHAN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SAPPHIRE TECHNOLOGIES
“ OUR LEGACY WILL BE...
“ More healthy years for everyone. Decarbonization of the globe.
DREW TAYLOR, MSC, PHD CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ACORN BIOLABS INC.
• Launch & Grow Companies
• Energize the Community for Success
• Connect & Empower the Ecosystem
Together, let’s build a legacy.
Retired Chairman & CEO, Conexant Systems, Inc.
Executive Chairman, Neurotech
Chairman, Western Digital
Chairman & Retired CEO, Edwards Lifesciences
Former Vice Chancellor, UC Irvine; Founder & Principal, TenXGrow
Thank you to our Board of Directors.
Executive Committee
Chair of the Board
Bruce Hallett
Michael Mussallem
Scott Whitcup
Jag Dosanjh
James Mazzo
Dwight Decker
Carrie Strom
Celine Martin
Bruce Feuchter
Matthew Massengill
Brett Wall
Bill Carpou
James Mazzo
Bob Jacobson
Thomas Moebus
Clay Wilemon Miramar Venture Partners
AbbVie
Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth
Octane
RSM US LLP
Hoag Memorial Hospital
Experian
K&L Gates
Dr. Henrik Cronqvist
Marinela Gombosev SPARK Neuro
Sabing Lee Knobbe Martens
Arshad Quadri, MD
Ray Grainger Mavenlink
Jennifer Leuer Clearer.io
Aidan Raney, MD, FACC
inQB8 Medical Technologies Hoag
Goldman Sachs
Retirement Holdings
Wayne Markowitz
Edwards Lifesciences
Ehsan Sadri, MD, FACS
Chapman University Visionary Eye Institute
Kamakshi R. Zeidler, MD
Formerly Aerie Pharmaceuticals
Tatjana Mitchell
Linda DiMario
Reza Jahangiri
David Moatazedi
Warren Foust
Dean Stoecker
Dr. Edward Kim
Anthony Chang, MD, MBA, MPH, MS
Ted Wilm
Michael Hedge
Rema Awad
Janet Clardy
Haleh Armian
Ashlie Woods
Goran Matijasevic
Pete Deutschman
Marc Schneider
Charles Black
Ian Williamson
Sean Crafts
Fauad Hasan
Laurent Attias
Thomas Mitro
Randy Fisher
Andrew Stewart
Scott Joslyn
Aziz Mottiwala
Ramin Valian
Jason Lantgen
Hazem Chehabi, MD
Aesthetx
Experian
Octane Bloom
Evolus
STAAR Surgical Alteryx
City of Hope CHOC
PwC
K&L Gates
UC Irvine
The Buddy Group
Stradling
J.P. Morgan Private Bank
UC Irvine
BLDG Labs
Appiell.ai
Alcon
Insperity
Bausch + Lomb
UCI Health Tarsus Pharmaceuticals
AbbVie
JLL
Newport Diagnostic Center
Linnea Burman Medtronic Neurovascular
Russ Garcia Menlo Micro
Janelle Brunette Octane
Octane Annual Partners & Sponsors
Highlighted Event Sponsors
Ace Vision Group, Inc.
Acorn Biolabs
Alliant Insurance Services
American Heart Association
Amplifica Holdings Group, Inc.
Apellis Pharmaceuticals
Aurion Biotech
Baker Tilly US, LLP
BENEV Beyond Blindness
BioPhotas, Inc.
Biosense Webster
BLDG Labs
Broadview Ventures
Bryn Mawr Communications Group
Cardiac Interventions Today
CardiacVascular News
CathWorks Inc
Cedars Aspens
Cloudbreak Therapeutics LLC
Cognoa
Cutera
Elevai Labs
Establishment Labs
Eversana
Evolus
Excelestar Ventures
Exfluential, Inc
Eye News Media
Eyes on Eyescare
Geneo
Glaukos
GLO
Guidepoint Qsight
Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association
Howard Building Corporation
ICON plc
Ingram Micro
inQB8 Medical Technologies
Investor Brand Network
Irvine Company
iuvo BioScience
jCyte
Johnson & Johnson Vision
Kingsmen Digital Ventures
LaunchLab Partners
LENZ Therapeutics
Lionheart Health, Inc.
LSI
Marcum
Masimo
Menlo Micro
Modern Aesthetics
Neurotech
OCRA
Orange County Business Council
Orasis Pharmaceuticals
OWL Advancing Diversity in Leadership
PatientFi
Perfect Corp.
Portrait
Pretika MedTech
PRN Medical Solutions
Rion Aesthetics
ROTH Capital Partners
RxSight
Samsara Vision
Sanoculis
Savills Inc.
SIA | An Integra LifeSciences Company
Silicon Valley Bank
Sinclair Pharma
Skytale Group
Smilefish
Strive Compounding Pharmacy
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.
Sunstone Management, Inc.
Symbio
Syprosoft Inc.
Tech Coast Consulting Group LLC
Teijin Pharma Limited
The Irvine Company
Trukera Medical
TSX Inc.
UC Irvine Health
UCI Gavin Herbert Eye Institute
University Lab Partners
ZO Skin Health
The Road Ahead
We remain deeply committed to driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and empowering the communities we serve. Here’s a sneak peek at new initiatives, partnerships, and innovations.
AI Innovation Hub
At Octane’s 2024 High Tech Awards, Bill Carpou and Experian Chief Innovation Officer, Kathleen Peters, announced that Octane and Experian would be embarking on the creation of an AI Innovation Hub in Orange County to capitalize on the region’s untapped AI (artificial intelligence) potential. The ambition of this initiative is to promote AI-driven technology development, entrepreneurship and economic development across industries.
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We are bringing the generalization of AI to a greater focus on how we can build more AI companies that will create jobs and enable the ability to afford housing in OC. As an important part of this strategy, we are working with most of our major partners on the application and implementation of AI. How does it impact performance, customer experiences, and patient outcomes?
BILL CARPOU CEO, OCTANE
Inaugural Neuro Tech Forum
The inaugural Neuro Tech Forum will bring together leaders and innovators in the field, facilitate discussions about market needs and emerging trends, and foster future connections to propel the field forward.
Advances in neurology and brain science continue to accelerate. The breakthrough combination of AI and robots, for example, is turning the tables on treating and curing neurological disorders in ways unimaginable just a few years ago.
Octane’s inaugural Neuro Tech Forum is a both an acknowledgement of these remarkable developments and a commitment to expand the support development of these technologies in Orange County and the surrounding regions.
SCOTT JOSLYN, CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER, UCI HEALTH SYSTEM SVP, UCI HEALTH VENTURES
Boost Fund
Launched in 2024, Octane’s newest venture fund provides pre-seed startup capital for physician and scientist led startups focused on aesthetics, neuro, ophthalmology, and cardiovascular innovations.
We de-risk early investments by tying funding to specific deliverables including but not limited to:
• Regulatory Roadmap
• IP Roadmap
• 409A Valuation
• Market Fit Analysis
• Financial Model
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• Investment and Business Development Decks
• Octane Partner
Introductions and Ecosystem Socialization
Our first Boost company, ArtifeX AI, emerged in late 2024. In just weeks, Sabha worked with our team to transform a breakthrough concept into a compelling pitch deck and presentation for Aesthetics Tech Forum. ArtifeX AI combines robotics and AI to automate procedures like injectables and laser treatments.
We look forward to joining Sahba and other founders on their journey.
Coast to Coast Innovation Pipeline
Orange County is a dynamic epicenter of innovation, recently named the nation’s leading medtech hub (#1) and ranked third (#3) in AI advancements. This position of excellence solidifies its reputation and makes it a powerful magnet for groundbreaking startups, highgrowth companies, top industry leaders, diverse talent, and strategic capital investments.
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The ‘Coast to Coast Innovation Pipeline’ initiative is designed to strengthen and expand connections between OC’s thriving innovation ecosystem and leading hubs across the U.S.: New York, Boston, Denver, Austin, Miami, Chicago, Minneapolis and the Bay Area. By cultivating strategic partnerships in these key regions, we aim to unlock greater investment opportunities for local startups, deepen industry collaborations, and enhance our national and global standing as the premier destination to launch and scale innovative companies.
JANELLE BRUNETTE, COO, OCTANE
