Our People
We bring hard-earned insights, wisdom and a robust network to our portfolio companies.
MARC AVERITT
Co-Founder, MANAGING DIRECTOR
Marc is a seasoned startup guy and founder of Okapi VC. He’s currently the managing partner of several funds—OV1 (2005), OV2 (2012), OV3 (2017), OV4 (2020), OV Opp Fund (2021), and OV 5 (2025) and sat on dozens of boards. With a background in executive roles, law, strategy, operations and business development in the tech industry prior to launching Okapi, he brings a wealth of experience. Marc holds a BA from USC, a JD from Pepperdine University School of Law and has worked with ArtLifting, BabyList, Connectifier (acq. LNKD), CrowdStrike (CRWD), DepoDirect, Emulex (acq. AVGO), Fotobom, GrowthHackers (acq. Growth Boulevard), Influence, Intel Corporation, Multiplayer, Omnivision, RF Nano, SignNow (acq. CUDA), Specright, Sun Microsystems, Templarbit Cybersecurity (acq. Boxx Insurance), Transaction Wireless (acq. FDC), and Ubiq Security.
JEFF BOCAN
MANAGING DIRECTOR
With over two decades in venture capital, Jeff has made 50+ investments, deploying $150+ million in early-stage funding and achieving 3.5x realized returns. Serving 35+ board roles, he has been instrumental in guiding the success of numerous ventures. As Senior Vice President at Mophie, Jeff led growth from $10 million to over $250 million, contributing significantly to Jeff’s VC portfolio. As an angel investor, he secured a 120x return with Duo Security and invested in notable companies like Acorns and Archer Education. Jeff earned a BA from Notre Dame and an MBA from the University of Virginia.
JOHN WALLER
MANAGING DIRECTOR, VENTURE PARTNER
A seasoned entrepreneur with a proven track record, John has founded and served as CEO for multiple successful ventures, including 24/7 Media (Nasdaq: TFSM), Resume.com (acquired by Adecco), and X1 Technologies. He has also held executive roles in business development, strategy, and corporate development at renowned companies such as Idealab and Mattel. Beyond entrepreneurship, John is an active angel investor, contributing to the growth of promising startups. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from USC and an MBA from UCLA.
SHARON STEVENSON, DVM, PHD
Co-Founder, Managing Director, Venture Partner
Sharon co-founded Okapi in 2005 and is a Managing Director responsible for the life science investments in its first two funds and a Venture Partner in its third fund. Sharon was responsible for Okapi’s investment in Helixis (acq Nasdaq:ILMN), Focal Therapeutics (acq Nasdaq:HOLX), WellTok (acq: VirginPulse), Obalon Therapeutics (Nasdaq:OBLN, merged with Nasdaq:RSLS 2021), Orthalign, BioTrace, and WiserCare. She serves as a Director on the boards of Okapi portfolio companies WiserCare and BioTrace. She is also a Board Observer at OrthAlign.
Prior to founding Okapi, Sharon was the Senior Vice President of Technology and Planning for Skinmedica (acq:Allergan NYSE:AGN)– at the time a private, venture-backed, commercial stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the dermatology and human appearance markets. Prior to SkinMedica, Sharon was a Principal with Domain Associates, LLC – a venture capital fund specializing in life science investments. In addition to performing due diligence and working closely with portfolio companies while at Domain, she also served as President and CFO of Volcano Therapeutics (Nasdaq:VOLC acq: Royal Phillips NV) and lead the company’s growth from 1 to 14 employees and from the initial design of the first product to the first clinical trials using the device. In addition to her responsibilities at Volcano, Sharon’s past and present board affiliations on behalf of Domain include Microvention (acquired by Terumo Corporation, OTC:TRUMF:PK), Neuropace, NuVasive (Nasdaq:NUVA), Santarus (Nasdaq:SNTS acq Salix Nasdaq:SLXP), SkinMedica, and Genvault.
Prior to launching her entrepreneurial / venture capital career, Sharon was a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopedics at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She is author of over 132 publications, including 2 guest editorships and has made more than 57 presentations to professional audiences. Her clinical training was in veterinary surgery and she is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). She has served on the governing boards of the ACVS and the Orthopedic Research Society and currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Pardee RAND Graduate School of Public Policy. Sharon has been awarded an MBA from the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management; a PhD in Comparative Pathology from UC Davis; and a Master of Science in Veterinary Pathology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University.
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