Okapi Venture Capital
Venture capitalNewport Beach · Pre-Seed–Series A · 2 people tracked
Also known as OCVC, LLC · OKAPI CAPITAL, LLC · OKAPI VENTURE CAPITAL, LLC
Investment thesis
Okapi Venture Capital is a seed and early-stage fund that backs information technology and life science startups. Launched in 2005 with a founding thesis rooted in local business community support, the firm emphasizes deep venture and operational experience, board-level involvement, and a strong network to help portfolio companies navigate early growth. It positions its reputation and hands-on founder support as its key differentiators.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 7, 2026.
Team · 2 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 8 of 44 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×3Healthtech ×3SaaS ×3Enterprise Software ×2Biotech ×1Data & Infrastructure ×1Defense Tech ×1Future of Work ×1
HQs:United States×16
Investments · 44 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathThe page presents cardiac interventional and electrophysiology products—including transseptal sheaths and needles, occlusion balloons, guiding sheaths, guidewires, hemostasis valves, and compression devices—branded under Merit Medical for use in procedures such as lead extraction, cardiac resynchronization therapy, and CRM implantations.
HardwareHealthtechMedical DevicesMenlo Park, US
Sharon Stevenson, DVM, PhD(Director)Laura N. Dietch(Executive Officer, Director)Aravind Swaminathan, MD(Director)Drew Hoffmann(Director)Robert Brownell(Director)
Board seatSharon Stevenson· per SEC Form D · $16.3M raise · filed Mar 2021
HealthtechAliso Viejo, US
Gail S Lebovic(Executive Officer, Director)George D Hermann(Executive Officer)Robert Brownell(Director)Steven Gex(Executive Officer, Director)Sharon Stevenson(Director)Steven Naber(Executive Officer)
Board seatSharon Stevenson· per SEC Form D
Bellevue, US
Balaji Sridharan(Executive Officer, Director)David Thoms(Executive Officer, Director)David William Thoms(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardPeter Mueller(Director)Syed Nasir Ali(Director)
Board seatJeff Bocan· per SEC Form D
Chicago, US
Board seatJeff Bocan· per SEC Form D · $18K raise · filed Apr 2022
NotiSphere appears to provide digital communication systems for supply disruption notifications, particularly focused on FDA recalls and hospital supply chain transparency.
HealthtechSaaSWest Hollywood, US
Guillermo M. Ramas(Executive Officer, Director)Marc Averitt(Director)Guillermo Ramas
Board seatMarc Averitt· per SEC Form D · $3.6M raise · filed Dec 2021
Califon, US
Loren Straub(Director)Daniel Deeney(Executive Officer, Director)Marc Averitt(Director)Steven Hull(Executive Officer, Director)
Board seatMarc Averitt· per SEC Form D · $3.5M raise · filed May 2024
Specright provides a Specification Data Management (SDM) platform that structures and connects product, packaging, formulation, and manufacturing spec data so companies can manage specs across their supply chain and feed structured data to AI.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaSIrvine, US
Matthew Wright(Founder & Executive Chairman)Gabe Greenbaum(Director)
Board seatMarc Averitt· per SEC Form D · $37M raise · filed Jul 2021
New York, US
Jon Arpino(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Justin Rucker(Executive Officer)
Los Angeles, US
Lucas Dickey(Executive Officer, Director)John Waller(Executive Officer, Director)
Santa Monica, US
Walter Guevara(Director)Christopher Sheng(Executive Officer)John G Waller(Director)
Chicago, US
Ted Greene(Chief Operating Officer)Jeff Bocan(Director)Steve Westly(Director)Robin Berthier(Chief Executive Officer, President, & Director)William Sanders(Director)Robert Schultz(Director)
BiotechCarlsbad, US
Les Howe(Director)Mark Brister(Chief Technology Officer)Kelly Huang, Ph.D.(Chief Operating Officer)Douglas Fisher(Director)David Moatazedi(Director)Raymond Dittamore(Director)
Occuspace develops AI-enabled sensors that detect occupancy and space utilization through wireless signal scanning, without cameras or personal data collection.
AI & Machine LearningIoT
Slingshot provides real-time operational intelligence and autonomous coordination software for space operations, serving defense, commercial, and sovereign operators.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureDefense TechSpace TechEl Segundo, US
Rows marked “SEC filing” are inferred from directors named on the company's SEC Form D — public regulatory data, not a portfolio list published by the firm.
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Okapi Venture Capital invest at?
- Okapi Venture Capital invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What is Okapi Venture Capital's typical check size?
- Okapi Venture Capital typically writes checks of $750K – $3M.
- What sectors does Okapi Venture Capital focus on?
- Okapi Venture Capital focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Biotech, Consumer, Deep Tech, Digital Health, Enterprise Software, Future of Work, Healthtech, Medical Devices, SaaS.
- Where is Okapi Venture Capital located?
- Okapi Venture Capital is headquartered in Newport Beach, US.
- Does Okapi Venture Capital lead rounds?
- Yes, Okapi Venture Capital leads investment rounds.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamVC Speaker Series with Jeff Bocan from Okapi Venture Capital
UCI Beall Applied Innovation at the Cove · Jeff Bocan
Marc Averitt (Okapi Venture Capital) at Startup Grind Orange County
Startup Grind Local · Marc Averitt
Images
Co-investors · 9
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Firms observed investing alongside Okapi Venture Capital, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Okapi Venture Capital's recorded portfolio.
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