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ABOUT US - Overview
OCTANe is fueling "innovation development" in Orange County and Southern California. By connecting people, capital and technology, OCTANe accelerates entrepreneurs and company development for Orange County's information technology and biomedical industries. Our stakeholder group includes some of the most promising start-ups, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, large companies, and the university sector, all working together to get more companies started, funded, and accelerated in OC and surrounding regions. What we do: We help CREATE, GROW, SUPPORT, STAFF, and FUND more innovative biomedical and information technology companies in Orange County and Southern California. |
What are the Goals of OCTANe? OCTANe’s comprehensive goals include: - Increase the number of biomedical and information technology start-up companies
- Support emerging and leading OC biomedical and information technology companies
- ncrease venture and other risk taking capital residing and deployed in OC
- Increase total seed and early stage funding in OC
- Partner with and assist UC Irvine and the university sector to optimize economic impact
- Increase number of innovative, high paying jobs
- Develop a sustainable “Innovation Ecosystem” for Orange County
Why do we need OCTANe? OCTANe is the leading organization fueling “innovation development” in Orange County, as defined by leadership, resources, network members, and results/impact. The need for innovation and entrepreneurship is essential for the sustained economic vitality of Orange County and frankly, for most regions in the US. An ever changing global competitive environment, the reliance on and commoditization of technology, aging demographics, and cost of doing business increases mandate the need for new “innovation organizations and models.” Who is Involved with OCTANe?Most of Orange County’s leading biomedical and information technology companies, promising start-ups, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, service providers, and universities are active in OCTANe. Beyond OC, Southern California universities, venture capitalists and other companies are also involved. Ours is truly a unique and comprehensive stakeholder set within the largest consumer and R&D base in the US. Where and what is Orange County?Orange County is the center of Southern California innovation and entrepreneurship, and is home to over 3.1 million people and over 600 R&D driven, capital backed biomedical and information technology businesses (nearly one per square mile). In fact, if OC were a “stand alone” state, it would have the twelfth largest GDP in the US! OC also has a fast growing, R&D powerhouse university in UC Irvine, and over $1 Billion dollars of venture capital invested in the last two years. Orange County has a strong platform for existing businesses, and the opportunity to start new innovative companies.  OC Biomedical Information  OC Technology Information
What makes OCTANe unique?We are not a trade association or a traditional economic development group; we are an Innovation Development Corporation (IDC). We and our partners are “business and economy builders.” We are laser focused on “minds and money” to create, grow and support more innovative businesses. At the same time, we are building a sustainable innovation infrastructure for decades to come. This rare combination makes OCTANe an emerging best practice in the US on the creation of a robust “Innovation Ecosystem.” | | 
Download OCTANe's Brochure |
How we do it:  | LaunchPad: LaunchPad helps entrepreneurs, researchers and start-ups “get going” by quickly identifying and connecting the people, know-how and capital needed to start and grow their business. It’s our "virtual accelerator" that provides critical and individualized business and technical support, contacts and access to capital for new and emerging biomedical and information technology companies. |  | Programs: The OCTANe Program Series brings together "minds and money" in Orange County and Southern California around high growth topics in the biomedical and information technology sectors. Attendees included entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, investors, large company executives, researchers, universities and advisors. Our signature events include the California Medical Device Forum each fall, and the So Cal Semiconductor & Communications Summit each spring. |  | TalentEngine: The TalentEngine is a unique, robust “innovation talent portal” for Orange County biomedical and information technology companies and innovators. It connects technical resources and university graduates with high-quality jobs and business opportunities from hundreds of companies – both large and hot start-ups. In addition, TalentEngine provides offline private networking introductions and “innovation career guidance” for university and private sector talent. |  | OCTANe Next: OCTANe Next is for "Next" generation leaders and talent ages 18 to 29. Next provides free access to programs, events, and other OCTANe initiatives. Members are given the tools, resources and connections to help further themselves as valued members of the OC and Southern California biomedical and IT innovation communities. |  | OCTANe Foundation for Innovation: The mission of this 501(c)(3) charity is to develop a robust environment for biomedical and information technology growth by advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in Orange County. Key initiatives includes the promotion, development and recognition of innovation, and the education, skills development and mentoring of entrepreneurs. |
View more at www.octaneoc.org
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