Octavian Popescu

Founder and CEO at ROYC

Speaker

Octavian is the Founder and CEO of ROYC, an end-to-end technology and structuring platform for private markets asset managers and private wealth institutions. He brings nearly two decades of experience investing across asset classes, industries, and geographies, with a track record in executing complex transactions ranging from buyouts and minority deals to growth equity investments. Before founding ROYC, Octavian was a Managing Director at Blackstone’s Tactical Opportunities Fund, a circa $40 billion flexible investment strategy that operates unconstrained by asset class, sector, or geography. He joined the firm in 2013 in New York before relocating to the London office, where he focused on fintech, digital consumer, enterprise software, healthcare, financial services, and education. During his tenure, he was involved in landmark transactions including the carve-out of Bumble and its subsequent IPO, as well as the investment in GEMS Education, later realized to CVC Strategic Opportunities and subsequently to Brookfield. He began his career in 2005 at Neuberger Berman, later working at Bank of America and Centre Lane Partners, building expertise across private equity and alternative investments. Throughout his career, Octavian has been recognized for his ability to identify opportunities at the intersection of technology and capital, bridging institutional and private wealth markets. Today, through ROYC, he is focused on reshaping how private markets connect with private wealth, leveraging technology and structuring to expand access and efficiency in one of the fastest-growing areas of global finance.