ALISO VIEJO, CA--(Marketwired - Nov 2, 2015) - OCTANe, the Orange County business development accelerator dedicated to driving technology industry growth and innovation by connecting ideas and people with resources and capital, today announced at its Medical Device & Investor Forum (MDIF) the expansion of its LaunchPad program to further OCTANe-supported companies' growth through operational execution.
The expanded direction will build on OCTANe's successful 15-year heritage as a business development accelerator for early-stage and startup companies, which have collectively raised more than $1.1 billion. OCTANe will continue to support early-stage companies while further enhancing companies' operational performance through latter stages of operation via a new process that utilizes OCTANe's network of almost 200 advisors.
"We're evolving into a different OCTANe," said Bill Carpou, president and CEO of OCTANe. "We are broadening our services by expanding our influence and enabling companies to not just be formed and capitalized but achieve revenue and profit goals faster and with greater success. We will function as an innovation and commercialization catalyst that drives a robust economic ecosystem in Orange County."
LaunchPad's current strategy focuses on working collaboratively with incubators to develop an idea, build a business plan and create a proof of concept in both high tech and medtech companies. OCTANe then prepares the company for an institutional capital strategy through its LaunchPad V1, which taps into unique insights through data, predictive analytics and human interaction. With the expanded focus, OCTANe will expand support to LaunchPad V2 companies though growth plan program development and subsequent funding rounds as companies grow. Eventually, the program will carry companies through exit strategies, such as acquisition or IPO.
A unique feature of the expanded program includes a capital strategy with four pillars designed to connect entrepreneurs and investors during funding opportunities.
- Expanded relationships beyond Orange County to attract institutional investors that focus on funding med tech and high tech companies
- Alignment with corporate venture funds that invest in promising technology
- Increased exposure to individual high net worth or angel investors from among the OCTANe network that includes board members and advisory committees. OCTANe will also evaluate a new set of rules approved last week by the SEC to provide equity crowd funding for startups.
- Explore additional opportunities for direct investments
The organization is working with the law firm of K&L Gates and various venture firms to explore direct investment opportunities that could include an investment fund to support the capital requirements of LaunchPad companies.
About OCTANe:
OCTANe drives technology industry growth and innovation in Orange County by connecting ideas and people with resources and capital. Its members represent Orange County technology executive leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists, academicians, and strategic advisors, all working together to fuel innovation in the OC. The organization has helped more than 800 companies via the LaunchPad™ SBDC accelerator. LaunchPad™-certified companies have received more than $1.1 billion in investment and equity exits. OCTANe annually welcomes more than 7,000 people to its programs and events. More than 2,000 business leaders throughout the Orange County region are OCTANe members. For more information, visit www.octaneoc.org.
Contact Information:
Media Contact:
Joel Monson
FleishmanHillard
(949) 855-5996