Okapi Venture Capital
A seed and early-stage venture capital firm focused on information technology and life science investments, closing its first fund in 2006 after a group of local Orange County business leaders committed to backing the vision.
Marc Averitt
Co-Founder, Managing Director
Founder of Okapi VC, managing partner across six funds (OV1 2005 through OV5 2025). Background in executive roles, law, strategy, and business development in tech. BA from USC, JD from Pepperdine University School of Law.
Jeff Bocan
Managing Director
Over two decades in venture capital with 50+ investments and $150M+ deployed in early-stage funding. Former SVP at Mophie, growing the company from $10M to $250M+. Angel investor in Duo Security, Acorns, and Archer Education. BA from Notre Dame, MBA from University of Virginia.
John Waller
Managing Director, Venture Partner
Founded and led multiple companies including 24/7 Media (Nasdaq: TFSM) and X1 Technologies. Former executive at Idealab and Mattel. BS from USC, MBA from UCLA.
Sharon Stevenson, DVM, PhD
Co-Founder, Managing Director, Venture Partner
Co-founded Okapi in 2005, leading its life science investments including Helixis (acq. Illumina) and Focal Therapeutics (acq. Hologic). Previously SVP at SkinMedica (acq. Allergan) and Principal at Domain Associates. MBA from UCLA Anderson, PhD from UC Davis, DVM from Ohio State.
Named after the okapi animal for its ability to thrive in dense environments. Sharon Stevenson's life-science bets have included multiple Nasdaq-listed exits (Helixis, Focal Therapeutics, Obalon Therapeutics).