Octane Foundation for Innovation
Octane Foundation for Innovation (OFI) is committed to making resources, capital, and mentorship available to tech & medtech startups, as well as underserved members of our community. Our mission is to drive innovation by elevating the strength and diversity of the region as a whole.
Women Leaders of Octane
Non-Profit Accelerator
LaunchPad SBDC
STEM Fellows
NextGen Leaders
Our Goals
Formation & Growth of Tech and MedTech Companies
Through Octane’s Non-Profit Accelerator and LaunchPad SBDC Accelerator, Octane is committed to creating high-paying jobs throughout the region by helping companies grow and scale in Southern California
Promotion of Economic Inclusion & Opportunity for Underrepresented Populations
Infusion of Capital into the Regional Economy
Creation & Retention of High-Paying Jobs
Octane Foundation for Innovation has 5 initiatives to bring about positive change in Orange County.
Women Leaders of Octane
An Unacceptable Disparity
Women Leaders of Octane launched in 2018 after seeing the disparity in funding offered to women-owned and operated startups – only 6% of total venture capital and 13.1% of total deals (according to a study by Pitchbook) went to women-owned/operated companies. This means that not are women founders less likely to receive funding, but when they do, they receive about half the funding dollars!
This overall inequality is deepened when combined with the lack of women on public boards and the lower rate of hiring and promotion for women. We also found that these numbers more adversely impacted women of color and only emphasized the necessity of creating this initiative.
See our goals below.
We Want More…
More Women-Led Startups
We want to increase the number of women-operated companies in SoCal that graduate from Octane’s Accelerator, LaunchPad SBDC.
More Funding
More Support
We want to support women in their career development and growth by providing access to resources and power networking opportunities.
More Women on Boards
Non-Profit Accelerator
Increasing Impact for Local Non-Profits
We applied our award-winning LaunchPad SBDC Accelerator process to non-profits to further their impact in the community and increase their sustainability.
We focus on non-profits that benefit STEM programs, especially those that deliver education and resources to underrepresented communities.
The Non-Profit Accelerator is made possible with a grant through the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation.
Applications for our next Cohort will open in Fall 2021.
We’re Looking for an Increase…
Increasing Impact
Using our LaunchPad SBDC Accelerator process, we can help non-profits make a greater difference in the community.
Increasing in Grants & Funding
LaunchPad SBDC helps companies prepare to meet with investors. Similarly, the Non-Profit Accelerator program helps non-profits in their strategy and pitch to apply for grants and funding.
Increasing Sustainability
Our Cohorts
Read more about our recently graduated cohort here.
Cohort 1
Cohort 2
Cohort 3
STEM Fellows
Entrepreneurship for Underrepresented Populations
The Octane STEM Fellows identifies high potential students from a diverse background, who are STEM majors with an inclination towards entrepreneurship. This program features training of basic entrepreneurship leadership concepts as well as peer interaction and provides access to Octane programming along with the opportunity to attend one of Octane’s leading conferences.
The inaugural year of this program is made possible by funding from Broadcom Foundation.
Offering Greater Access
Access to Networking
Access to Innovation
Keeping promising young talent and innovation here in Orange County is essential as Orange County continues to grow.
Access to Talent
What We’re Doing About It
Networking Events
Entrepreneurial Leadership Skills
Attending Programs & Conferences
LaunchPad SBDC Accelerator
A Top Five SBDC Accelerator in the Nation
Our award-winning tech and medtech accelerator, LaunchPad SBDC is a pro bono service, funded by the SBA. Our proven process offers a strengthened capital funding strategy, actionable feedback, access to an influential network, and our proprietary predictive analytics.
How We Accelerate Success
Strategic Mentorship
We have a panel of experts and advisors as well as our own knowledgeable LaunchPad SBDC team to guide you in your pitch and capital strategy.
Analytics & Feedback
Networking Connections
Join Our Alumni
Our Alumni are a network of successful entrepreneurs. LaunchPad SBDC Alumni can also access growth and capital resources through Octane Enterprise Solutions.
Success Stories
LaunchPad SBDC Alumni Leading the Way During the Healthcare Crisis
Success Series: PatientFi
Todd Watts, CEO of PatientFiwinner of the LaunchPad SBDC People’s Choice Award took the time to discuss the growth of his company, his experience through the LaunchPad accelerator, and the success that he is seeing with PatientFi.
Intellivsion Launches Pre-Order of Amico
Success Series: IntelliStem
Riam Shamma, CEO of IntelliStem, discusses their process with LaunchPad SBDC leading up to MedTech Innovation Forum, and where they see themselves in the future after their win.
NextGen Leaders
Preparing Orange County for the Next Generation of Leaders
Orange County should be a place where you can bring an idea to reality. Southern California has been home to innovation for decades along with a unique culture that intersects arts, science, and technology.
This is part of a developing collaborative effort with other members in the community.
Events Search and Views Navigation
April 2023
Octane’s Annual Partner Summit
The Octane Team would like to invite you to our annual Partner Summit. The virtual Summit will be an opportunity share our high-impact results we have had collectively in the community, thank our current partners, and meet with business colleagues. Please be sure to register for the event to receive the log in information via email. We look forward to seeing you there! REGISTER HERE>>
Find out more »Women Leaders of Octane- April 2023 Quarterly Meeting
Please join Women Leaders of Octane for our virtual quarterly meeting, Wednesday, April 19th from 12:00 – 1:00 pm PST, featuring Thought Leader: Anne Mulcahy In addition to our thought leader, our committee chairs will share progress reports. Our Committees and Committee Chairs: Creating Women-led Businesses & LaunchPad Committee – Marinela Gombosev, SPARK Neuro Funding Committee – Delilah Panio, Toronto Stock Exchange Women on Boards Committee – Joyce Averna, JP Morgan Private Bank Resources & Communications – Nanneke Dinklo Plus, after the WLO Quarterly meeting,…
Find out more »May 2023
Tech Innovation Forum 2023
Tech Innovation Forum 2023 will focus on the acceleration of innovation in technology. The Forum will concentrate on topics such as the next industrial revolution- the role that Southern California is playing in both climate tech and space, and feature topics related to the investment landscape for emerging and growth companies. Learn more. Register here.
Find out more »June 2023
Ophthalmology Tech Forum 2023
Join industry physicians and top ophthalmologists who are defining the future of the field at Octane’s Ophthalmology Technology Forum (OTF). The event is held annually in Orange County, the center for Ophthalmology in the US. We will be hosting Ophthalmology Tech Forum 2023 as a hybrid experience, which will allow our guests to attend in person or online. Learn more Register here
Find out more »July 2023
Women Leaders of Octane – July 2023 Quarterly Meeting
Please join Women Leaders of Octane for our virtual quarterly meeting, Wednesday, July 19th from 12:00 – 1:00 pm PST, featuring Thought Leader: Cynthia West, Ph.D. In addition to our thought leader, our committee chairs will share progress reports. Our Committees and Committee Chairs: Creating Women-led Businesses & LaunchPad Committee – Marinela Gombosev, SPARK Neuro Funding Committee – Delilah Panio, Toronto Stock Exchange Women on Boards Committee – Joyce Averna, JP Morgan Private Bank Resources & Communications – Nanneke Dinklo Plus, after the WLO Quarterly…
Find out more »September 2023
Cardiovascular Tech Summit 2023
Octane’s Cardiovascular Tech Summit 2023 will synergize innovative solutions in cardiology with physicians, industry strategics, and investors convening together to advance patient care. The Summit will explore the unmet needs in cardiology, highlight current buying trends of strategics and investors, review current funding models of cardiology innovation, present innovation trends, and showcase top emerging cardiology companies to our ecosystem of strategics and investors.
Find out more »High Tech Awards 2023
The much-anticipated High Tech Awards celebrate the top innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology leaders in Orange County. Join us for the 2023 High Tech Awards to celebrate and recognize those individuals and companies who make Orange County a center of technology and medical technology innovation.
Find out more »October 2023
Octane’s Medical Innovation Forum 2023
Octane will host our Medical Innovation Forum 2023 as an in-person experience. Join us in collaborating with industry experts, strategics, physicians, entrepreneurs, and investors who have made significant strides toward an accelerated future in the medical industry. The Forum will highlight the wide-ranging impact of the most recent medical innovations and how the industry will adapt to enhance patient care.
Find out more »