ORANGE COUNTY— MAY 2ND, 2024
Octane, in collaboration with UCI, the Orange County Business Council (OCBC), and the Orange County innovation ecosystem, successfully brought back the highly anticipated OC Innovation Week and annual 2024 Tech Innovation Forum. The week showcased the diverse industries and organizations propelling Orange County to the forefront of both tech and medtech innovation.
Highlights of the Week
Opening Reception
The week kicked off on Monday, April 29, with a grand Opening Reception at UCI Beall Applied Innovation, hosted by Irvine Company. The event featured a Fireside Chat with Angelina Galiteva, ARCHES Acting Chief Executive Officer, discussing California’s initiative to accelerate renewable hydrogen projects and the necessary infrastructure. The new ecosystem is expected to reduce up to two million metric tons of carbon emissions a year and create 220,000 green jobs.
Fast Pitch
Tuesday, April 30th, was highlighted by the Fast Pitch sponsored by Insperity at UCI Beall Applied Innovation. Over 25 early-stage Tech, Clean Tech, and Med Tech companies presented their innovative ideas, seeking seed to series A funding. The event provided a platform for networking and connecting with industry leaders, and Sapphire Technologies took the Fast Pitch Judge’s Choice Award home. Check out all the presenting companies here.
Startup World Cup OC/LA Regional Competition
Shortly after, the Startup World Cup OC/LA Regional Competition captivated audiences, with startups vying for funding and recognition. Winners advanced to the Global Grand Finale in San Francisco for a chance at a $1 million investment prize.
Tech Innovation Forum
The main event, the Tech Innovation Forum, took place on May 1-2 at AV Irvine. Themed “Innovate. Disrupt. Shape Tomorrow in OC”, the forum featured insightful discussions on topics such as space technology, the future of work, raising capital, and tech innovation breakthroughs. Keynote speakers like Kathleen Peters from Experian Decision Analytics, Palmer Luckey from Anduril Industries, and William Wang from VIZIO shared valuable insights and experiences.
Kathleen Peters, Chief Innovation Officer at Experian Decision Analytics, delivered a groundbreaking keynote. Her talk, “Unleashing Creativity: 5 Key Tenets For the Responsible Use of Generative AI,” explored ethical AI practices. From fostering purposeful engagement to adapting to change, Kathleen’s insights challenged us to approach AI ethically and stay ahead of regulatory challenges in tech. Her keynote set the stage for innovative discussions, shaping the future of technology at the forum.
Palmer Luckey, Anduril Industries’ visionary entrepreneur, delivered an inspiring keynote on tech innovation. William Wang’s fireside chat highlighted Vizio’s Orange County success story, from startup to industry leader, moderated by Goran Matijasevic of UCI Executive Roundtable.
The Tech Innovation Forum topics explored how the future of work and remote collaboration is reshaping industries.
Eric Morgan from Five Point emphasized creating vibrant spaces that benefit residents, businesses, and communities, aligning with Octane’s goal of fostering high-paying jobs. AI-powered tools were highlighted for revolutionizing investment analysis and introducing new possibilities, sparking enthusiasm among entrepreneurs for future innovation.
Panel discussions led by James Zarour, Director at RSM, explored current trends in raising capital, including shifts in risk appetite, benefits of founder-investors, and crowdfunding strategies. Panelists La Keisha Landrum Pierre, Alex Marquez, and Bruce Virga provided diverse insights on venture capital and crowdfunding, emphasizing factors that attract investment and the role of community in crowdfunding success. This session offered practical advice for navigating the dynamic capital-raising landscape of 2024.
The K&L Gates sponsored Capital & Growth Companies Showcase featured standout companies like Guac App and Zuno Medical, highlighting their innovative products and business strategies. Guac App impressed, winning both the People’s and Judge’s Choice Awards.
The week included the first-ever Women Leaders of Octane Forum on May 2, featuring panels on overcoming imposter syndrome and building allyship in the workplace, along with a guided deep meditation soundbath experience, a keynote by Dr. Shawn Andrews, and a networking reception overlooking a sunset on the Newport Beach harbor.
Closing out the week on May 3rd was UCI Engineering’s Sustainability Breakfast – Innovation for Sustainability, where guests explored climate change challenges and sustainable solutions. Engaging discussions with industry experts shed light on navigating global shifts, transportation innovations, and adapting infrastructure for sustainability and resilience.
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