Octane's Calculated Succession: A New Era for SoCal's Innovation Engine

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – July 13, 2026 – In a move that signals both strategic continuity and a new chapter of ambition, Southern California’s innovation accelerator Octane has announced a meticulously planned leadership transition. Effective January 1, 2027, twelve-year veteran CEO Bill Carpou will assume the role of Executive Chairman, while long-time executive and current COO Janelle Brunette will become the organization's first female Chief Executive Officer.

This is not a sudden changing of the guard, but the culmination of a multi-year succession process. For analysts of the flows that govern regional economies, this transition offers a blueprint in organizational strategy. It is designed to preserve the institutional knowledge that built Octane into a powerhouse while injecting new operational focus to drive its next wave of growth, underscoring a deep commitment to its mission of fueling Southern California's technology and medical technology sectors.

A Legacy of Transformation

Under Bill Carpou’s leadership since 2015, Octane underwent its most transformative period. What was once a respected regional networking organization evolved into one of the nation’s leading innovation platforms. The numbers speak to a remarkable run of value creation: companies that have passed through Octane's programs, such as its LaunchPad SBDC accelerator, have raised over $12.1 billion in capital since 2010.

More importantly for the region, this capital has translated into tangible economic impact. Octane’s annual surveys of its portfolio companies confirm the creation of 45,237 high-paying jobs in technology and med-tech over the same period. The momentum is accelerating, with over 8,300 of those jobs created in 2025 alone.

“Bill’s leadership transformed Octane into one of the country’s most respected innovation organizations and created a lasting impact on the Southern California economy,” said Octane Co-Founder Jim Mazzo. “Equally important, he helped build an exceptional leadership team. Janelle has been instrumental in Octane’s success, and the Board has complete confidence in her ability to carry that legacy forward.”

In his new role as Executive Chairman, Carpou will pivot from day-to-day operations to long-range strategic architecture. His focus will be on capital formation, forging national and global partnerships, and expanding Octane's influence beyond Southern California. This allows him to leverage his extensive network to scale the organization’s deal flow and impact, a strategic move that frees up the CEO role for dedicated operational execution.

“Leading Octane has been the privilege of my professional career,” Carpou stated. “Together, we built far more than an organization—we built a community of innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, partners, and community leaders who believe Southern California can compete with any innovation ecosystem in the world.”

The New Guard: Continuity and Vision

Janelle Brunette’s ascent to CEO is the embodiment of the board's long-term planning. With nearly two decades at Octane, she brings an unparalleled understanding of the organization's culture, operations, and strategic imperatives. Her promotion from Chief Operating Officer ensures a seamless transition, minimizing disruption while signaling a clear direction for the future.

Her appointment is also a historic milestone. As the first woman to lead Octane, Brunette’s leadership sends a powerful message in a tech and venture capital landscape still grappling with diversity. Her mandate is clear: execute the strategy, drive growth, and deepen the organization's impact across the region's most influential innovation sectors.

A key part of her agenda will be advancing initiatives like the Octane Impact Fund and programs designed to support underrepresented founders. The organization’s "Women Leaders of Octane" (WLO) initiative, which hosts labs and events for female entrepreneurs, is expected to gain further prominence under her leadership.

Brunette will also spearhead the organization’s ambitious goal of creating 55,000 high-paying technology jobs by 2030. “The foundation Bill has built, including the relationships, the programs, the culture of ambition, provides us an extraordinary platform for this next chapter,” Brunette said. “My commitment is to build on that foundation, deepen our partnerships, and with the support of our talented team, ensure that every entrepreneur, investor, and innovator in Southern California knows that Octane is in their corner. The goal of 55,000 high-paying jobs by 2030 isn’t just a number — it’s a promise.”

Fueling the Engine: Capital, Jobs, and SoCal's Future

The dual-leadership structure—Carpou on macro-strategy, Brunette on execution—is custom-built to amplify Octane's role as an economic engine for Southern California. The region's tech and med-tech sectors are booming, and Octane has positioned itself as the premier end-to-end platform for navigating this landscape, from early concept to commercialization.

The organization's capital strategy is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Beyond its core accelerator, Octane has launched more targeted investment vehicles like the "Boost Venture Fund." This micro-VC fund, with a target size of $2 million and average checks of $200,000, focuses specifically on early-stage healthtech innovation in fields like ophthalmology, cardiology, and neurotech. Its model is to invest in "execution rather than experimentation," providing startups with expert-built commercialization roadmaps, leveraging Octane's deep network to de-risk early-stage ventures.

This strategic division of labor is designed for scale. While Carpou works to expand the top of the funnel by forging global partnerships and securing larger pools of capital, Brunette will ensure the operational machine runs efficiently, effectively deploying that capital and support to the entrepreneurs on the ground. This structure positions Octane not just as a participant in Southern California's innovation economy, but as a key architect of its future.

With a clear succession plan executed, a dual-leadership model designed for strategic growth and operational excellence, and a renewed commitment to ambitious economic goals, Octane is cementing its foundation for the next decade. The move ensures the organization is well-positioned to expand its influence and continue serving as a powerful catalyst for innovation and prosperity throughout the region.