Bill Carpou is the CEO of Octane, a business accelerator for early-stage companies. Octane has created one of the nation's most dynamic ecosystems to enable technology industry growth in Orange County by connecting people, resources and capital. Portfolio companies have received more than $4.4b in capital since 2011. He is also the founding partner of Visionary Ventures and Elevation Ventures; both provide series A and growth capital to high-quality companies. Prior, Bill was an Operating Partner with The Blackstone Group, working with portfolio companies to grow revenue and improve enterprise value. Bill relocated to Orange County in 1998 as the President of IKON Office Solutions and held several positions prior to leaving after the strategic exit of the company and acquisition by Ricoh Corporation in 2007. Bill has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Villanova University where he serves as a board advisor for both the Villanova School of Business and the Villanova Institute of Innovation. He is also a member of the Chief Executive Roundtable at the University of California, Irvine. He resides in Laguna Niguel, California. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com. Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews... YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m #orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning