Robert Okabe has been involved with early stage enterprises on multiple levels for well over a decade. As a co-founder of RPX Group in 2002, he helped develop the firm’s strategy and has led many of our largest and most successful engagements. Bob's first direct involvement with formation and development of new ventures was as an angel investor. He has made eleven investments since 1995, with one major liquidity event and two other positive returns of capital. He is also a co-founder of an angel group and helped organize an affiliated angel capital fund. Prior to joining RPX Group Bob gained operating experience at a growing small business as CFO for a privately-held leasing company. At the end of his tenure 23 of the 50 employees were under his management. He completed numerous debt, equity, M&A, and advisory assignments for entrepreneurial and venture backed companies during his twelve year career as an investment banker at BancAmerica Robertson Stephens (Managing Director), Lehman Brothers (Senior Vice President), and Kidder, Peabody (Vice President). Bob began his business career spending nearly six years in financial management at General Electric and GE Capital. After leaving GE, Bob was a senior bond rating analyst for Moodys Investors Service for two years. Bob Okabe was awarded his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Organizational Behavior, cum laude, from the Boston University School of Management. He has been a guest speaker at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and internationally for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.