OCTANe Taps Tech Industry Leaders, Hot Startups and Influential Investors for "VC in the OC 2012" Event

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- OCTANe, the thought leader on driving technology job growth and wealth creation in Orange County, will bring together top southern California business leaders, venture capitalists and innovative entrepreneurs in this year's annual VC in the OC conference at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa in Huntington Beach, Calif., on May 15, 2012.

The event will feature a keynote address from RED Digital Cinema Employee #1 Ted Schilowitz, informative panel discussions that focus on Orange County's leading technology industries and investment presentations from promising early phase startups. 

The programs are designed to help entrepreneurs and technology leaders take their ideas to the next level through participation in Q&A and "speed dating" sessions with leading venture capitalists. Participants will also hear from some of the region's top technology experts and get a peek at the area's best offerings in the Innovation Showcase, which features exhibits from Orange County's leading innovation companies.

"Business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors look to VC in the OC as one of the most important events of the year," said Matthew Jenusaitis, president and CEO of OCTANe. "It's a forum where the drivers of the OC technology ecosystem can connect to deliver a real impact for high tech ventures in Orange County."

In addition to building on the desire to fuel technology growth and wealth creation through its Signature Events, OCTANe has aligned with fellow Orange County neighbor, CleanTechOC, to host the inaugural Cleantech Investor Forum on May 14, 2012, which will be held just prior to VC in the OC.

The Cleantech Investor Forum will bring together over 250 innovators and experts in the cleantech industry across California. The event will feature keynote addresses from Capricorn Investment Group Managing Director Dipender Saluja and Sierra Ventures Dr. Robert Walker, a unique "both sides of the coin" panel featuring cleantech CEOs and the VCs that back them, and investment presentations from promising cleantech startups in various stages (growth, expansion and later stage).

Each year, OCTANe programs and Signature Events attract more than 7,000 entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and major players from the regional technology industries. With support from nearly 50 major high tech companies, two major research universities and thousands of high tech professionals, OCTANe is the place where business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors gather to grow the Orange County technology ecosystem.

To learn more, exhibit or attend VC in the OC, please visit: http://www.vcintheoc2012.com/

To learn more, exhibit or attend Cleantech Investor Forum, please visit: http://www.ctif2012.com/

About OCTANe

Celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2012, OCTANe connects people and ideas with capital and resources to fuel technology growth in Orange County. 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 over 120 companies receive more than $217 million in investment and equity exits, enabled over 500 companies to connect via the LaunchPad accelerator, and annually welcomes more than 7,000 people to its programs and events. Over 2,000 business leaders throughout the Orange County region are OCTANe members. For more information, visit www.octaneoc.org.

SOURCE OCTANe