About Us
We bring hard-earned insights, wisdom and a robust network to our portfolio companies.
Who we are
Okapi Capital provides long-term capital and management support to technology start-ups. We take pride in partnering with exceptionally talented entrepreneurs and operational executives to develop their emerging businesses.
We are currently managing six funds and invest in pre-seed and seed stage technology startups primarily along the Tech Coast that is southern California.
As seasoned early-stage fund managers outside the Bay Area, our expertise sets us apart.
Our hands-on approach defines our commitment, as we take the lead or colead in most of our investments.
Emphasizing venture fundamentals and a disciplined investment strategy, we aim to optimize upside potential while minimizing downside risk.
Our track record validates our approach.
Origins of Okapi
Our firm identifies with these unique and interesting animals—their progeny have long gestation periods and are quite precocious at birth (just like our portfolio companies!) and they are described as having “unique characteristics allowing them to thrive in dense jungle”—and if venture capital is not dense jungle, we don’t know what is.
Our first fund was a “field of dreams” fund in that we were told by a small group of local business leaders “if you build it, we will invest”. Well, we shared their vision for a seed and early-stage VC fund focused on information technology and life science investments so we did and they did and the rest, as they say, is history having closed our first fund in May 2006.
Our reputation is our differentiator
Okapi goes above and beyond most VC’s. They understand the challenges that every CEO/Founder experiences and helps to successfully navigate them. Their deep knowledge of the venture world enables me to navigate the markets for the best outcomes.
Matthew Wright | CEO & Founder