Fundraising Fox

Kern Venture Group

Venture capital

Bakersfield · Seed–Series B · 19 people tracked

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Investment thesis

KVG is built on the conviction that exceptional founders and transformational ideas can emerge across all industries, particularly in underserved regions like California's Central Valley. The fund believes in investing in startups that generate positive community impact while capitalizing on the region's unique strengths in agriculture, renewable energy, aerospace, defense, and manufacturing. By providing capital alongside deep local networks and operational experience, KVG aims to bridge innovation gaps and support growing industries rooted in Kern County's abundant resources.

Source: firm website, verified Aug 6, 2026.

Stage
Seed–Series B
HQ
Bakersfield, CA, US
Instruments
Equity
Founded
2018
Tracked investments
48

Team · 19 people

from the firm's website & public directories
David Higdon· Founderin
Bob Smith· General Partner
Dr. Ravi Patel· General Partner
Gene Voiland· General Partner
Kent Halley· General Partnerin
Nick Ambrosini· General Partner
Sheryl Barbich· General Partnerin
Brian Conner· Advisor to the Fund
Emil Hewahe· Advisor to the Fund
Lou Barbich· Advisor to the Fundin
Raji Brar· Advisor to the Fundin

What they invest in

from 32 of 48 portfolio companies

AI & Machine Learning ×10Hardware ×8Consumer ×6Deep Tech ×5SaaS ×5AgTech ×4Media & Entertainment ×4Medical Devices ×4

HQs:United States×16Canada×1United Kingdom×1

Investments · 48 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

By year:2025 · 12021 · 22018 · 14 dated

Akadeum

Cell therapy platform technology for improved cell isolation and activation.

Co-investorsWestern Technology Investment

Akadeum Life Sciencesakadeum.comin𝕏

Akadeum manufactures GMP-compliant ancillary materials for cell and gene therapy applications, specializing in microbubble-based negative selection products.

Advanced ManufacturingBiotechDeep TechHealthtechMedical DevicesAnn Arbor, US

Kalyan Handique(Executive Officer, Director)John Younger(Executive Officer, Director)James Militello(Executive Officer)

BoardJeffrey S. Williams(Director)Paul D'Amato(Director)Dan Kidle(Director)in

Co-investorsArboretum VenturesBeringeaBerkeley CatalystBlueStone Venture PartnerseLab VenturesID Ventures+5 more

Auriga Spaceaurigaspace.com

Auriga Space develops electromagnetic ground-based launch systems that use magnetic fields to accelerate payloads, powered by electric energy storage charged from standard power sources.

Deep TechDefense TechSpace Tech

Co-investorsAtas VCAutomotive Ventures MobilityNew North VenturesOTB VenturesSeraphim SpaceTrucks VC+2 more

Autioautio.comin𝕏

Autio is a mobile app offering GPS-based, location-triggered audio stories about places across the United States, with a library of over 25,000 narrated tales covering history, culture, and landmarks.

ConsumerMedia & EntertainmentTravel & HospitalitySan Francisco, US

Kevin Costner(Co-founder)

Co-investorsAllied Venture Partnersblue 9 capital

Axiomhealthaxiomhealth.com
BIOS
BIOS Healthbios.healthin𝕏

BIOS develops neural digital therapy technology to deliver treatments for neurological conditions.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesCambridge, GB

Oliver Armitage(Founder)inEmil Hewage(Founder/Director)in

Co-investorsFifty YearsHeuristic Capital PartnersThe Venture CollectiveY Combinator

Cambiumcambium-usa.comin

Cambium develops high-performance advanced materials—including thermal protection systems, high-temperature structural polymers, and laser/directed-energy protection—for extreme-environment applications across aerospace, space, defense, and industrial markets.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechNew Materials

Co-investorsJ17 CapitalMVP Ventures8VCSignalRankSilent VenturesVeteran Ventures Capital

Compression Works Medical Devicescompressionworks.com

Compression Works manufactures the AAJT-S, an FDA-cleared external abdominal tourniquet device for hemorrhage control used by emergency medical services, hospitals, and military personnel.

Defense TechHealthtechMedical Devices

Co-investorsAtlanta Technology AngelsNorth Texas Angel NetworkRockies Venture Club

De Oro Devices Medical Devicesgetnexstride.com

Co-investorsRockies Venture ClubTrue Wealth Ventures

Dermasensordermasensor.com

Co-investorsMiami Angels

Diesel Labsdiesellabs.comin𝕏Feb 2018

Diesel Labs is a content intelligence company that provides data solutions for generative AI technologies and business intelligence tools serving the media and entertainment industry.

AI & Machine LearningConsumerData & InfrastructureMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentBoston, US

Anjali Midha(CEO)

Co-investorsBeacon AngelsCentral Texas Angel NetworkExcelestar VenturesGolden Seeds

Dosadosa.company
Dropwaterdropwater.coin𝕏

Drop Water builds smart refill stations that dispense water with customizable flavors, boosts, carbonation, and temperature control as an alternative to bottled drinks.

CleantechHardwareIoT

Co-investorsCardinia Ventures

EarthSenseearthsense.coin𝕏

EarthSense develops AI and robotics solutions for agriculture to address sustainability and productivity challenges.

AgTechAI & Machine LearningRobotics

Chinmay Soman(Founder)in

Co-investorsADB VenturesAg Ventures AllianceAgLaunch AcceleratorAurum Venture PartnersBread And Butter Ventures, LlcGen Capital+2 more

EDGE Sound Researchedgesoundresearch.comin𝕏

Edge Sound Research builds intelligent audio infrastructure based on patented technologies that capture, separate, and enhance sound, transform physical surfaces into sound emitters, and map audio into spatial experiences.

AI & Machine LearningCrypto & Web3Deep TechGamingHardwareMedia & EntertainmentRiverside, US

Co-investorsCartan CapitalElevate VenturesTechstars

Everyseteveryset.comin

Everyset provides a digital platform for managing background performers in film and television production, handling tasks from start work and extras breakdowns to payroll processing.

Enterprise SoftwareSaaS

Rumala Sheikhani(Founder)inEbrahim Bhaiji(CEO)in

Co-investorsCrosslink CapitalHAVEN VENTURESBlumberg CapitalFoundersX VenturesGradient VenturesY Combinator

Evitadoevitado.io

Evitado develops autonomous systems for airside operations at commercial airports and defense applications, addressing collision prevention, visibility, and labor shortages.

AI & Machine LearningDefense TechRobotics

Alex(Co-founder & CEO)Andrew(Co-founder, Head of Product & Operations)

Co-investorsDEPO Ventures

FabalishApr 2021

Wallington, US

Jessica Gebel(Executive Officer, Director)Paul Majcherczyk(Executive Officer, Director)

Co-investors37 Angels

Fanupfanup.app

FanUp is a fantasy contest and gaming platform where users enter free-to-play, daily, weekly, and season-long contests across sports and pop-culture events such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, FIFA, F1, IPL, and reality TV shows.

ConsumerGamingSports Tech

Co-investorsAtland VenturesReno Seed FundService Provider Capital

Flumewaterflumewater.comin𝕏

Flume offers a home water monitoring system that tracks indoor and outdoor water usage around the clock and sends instant leak alerts to help homeowners prevent water damage.

ConsumerHardwareIoT

Co-investorsAllied Venture PartnersAugment Ventures

Getsensategetsensate.com

Sensate is a non-electrical wellness device and companion app that uses low-frequency vibration ("Somacoustics") and synchronized soundscapes placed on the chest to stimulate the vagus nerve and reduce stress, anxiety, and improve sleep.

HardwareMental HealthWellness & Fitness

Co-investorsExpert DOJOGeek VenturesMoai CapitalUnlock Venture Partners37 AngelsDangerous Ventures

Gohfdgohfd.com
Greenjetsgreenjets.comin

Greenjets is a technology company developing electric propulsion products, initially targeting the drone market.

Deep TechHardwareMobility & Transportation

Co-investors7percent VenturesCoalitionExcellis HoldingMD One VenturesTanglin Venture PartnersBlossom Capital

Junktheoryjunktheory.com
Lumentralumentra.comin𝕏

Lumentra provides standards-based photometric, thermal, environmental, and electrical characterization and testing services for LED lighting manufacturers, along with standards compliance consulting for certification programs such as Energy Star and DesignLights Consortium.

Advanced ManufacturingCleantechHardwareMississauga, CA

M8 Systemsm8systems.comMar 2021

M8 Systems builds AI-driven irrigation automation combining proprietary hardware (its FarmLink controller), software, and a cloud platform to optimize water usage for growers, golf courses, and municipalities.

AgTechAI & Machine LearningIoTSan Juan Capistrano, US

Thomas Dewey(Executive Officer)Doug DeNardo(Director)

BoardMax Safai(Founder)in

Market Wagonmarketwagon.com

Market Wagon operates an online marketplace connecting independent local and regional food producers with consumers, delivering their products directly to customers.

E-commerceFoodTechMarketplacesIndianapolis, US

Daniel Brunner(Executive Officer)Nicholas Carter(Executive Officer, Director)Nick CarterDan BrunnerRob Eldridge(Director)

BoardGuy Turner(Director)in

Co-investorsElevate Venturesgener8torHyde Park Venture PartnersNew Stack VenturesHyde Park AngelsImpact Engine+1 more

Measure Studiomeasure.studioin𝕏Apr 2025

Chalfont, US

Thomas Kramer(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardJames Creech(Director)inDan Zitting(Director)

Co-investorsDelaware Crossing Investor GroupRobin Hood Ventures37 Angels

Mill Itmillitfarms.com

Mill It makes plant-based, dairy-free foods using ancient grains, including plant-based buttermilk and buttermilk dressings.

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTech

Co-investorsReno Seed Fund

MIMOSA Diagnosticsmimosadiagnostics.comin

MIMOSA Diagnostics makes MIMOSA Pro, a pocket-sized imaging device that uses near-infrared light to non-invasively assess tissue and skin health at the point-of-care, with images uploaded to a secure cloud portal for clinician review and remote monitoring.

Digital HealthHardwareMedical Devices

Co-investorsFundersClub

Moltencloudmoltencloud.com

Molten Cloud is a cloud platform for film and TV companies that combines rights, royalties, and content management, with AI features to automate back-office workflows and increase licensing revenue.

AI & Machine LearningMedia & EntertainmentSaaS

Co-investorsAshton KutcherMichael Ovitz

NeoChargegetneocharge.com

NeoCharge makes the Smart Splitter, a hardware device that lets homeowners add Level 2 EV charging by sharing an existing 240V outlet without a costly panel upgrade, plus an app that tracks charging cost per session and optimizes charging for the cheapest and cleanest grid hours.

EnergyHardwareMobility & Transportation

Niraskinniraskin.com

NIRA develops FDA-cleared at-home laser devices for wrinkle reduction that stimulate collagen in the deeper skin layers through short daily treatments.

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerWellness & Fitness

Co-investorsBeacon Angels

PadSplitpadsplit.comin𝕏

PropTechAtlanta, US

Atticus LeBlanc(Executive Officer, Director)Kathryn Petralia(Director)

BoardArjan Schutte(Director)in

Co-investorsAlate PartnersBase Venture Management, Inc.Core Venture CapitalFlow CapitalKapor CapitalMetaProp+7 more

Pocket Naloxonepocketnaloxone.com

BiotechBethesda, US

Andrea Barthwell(Director)Behshad Sheldon(Director)Ashanthi Mathai(Executive Officer, Director)Serena Kim(Executive Officer)Kathryn Bowsher(Director)

Co-investorsMedMountain Ventures

Readleereadlee.com

Co-investorsEqual Opportunity VenturesHike Ventures

Sigo Segurossigoseguros.comin

Sigo Seguros is a digital auto insurance agency that lets customers compare quotes from multiple insurers online and buy a policy in Spanish, with or without a US driver's license.

FintechInsurTech

Co-investorsNewlin VenturesRemarkable VenturesBlockchain Founders FundChingona VenturesListen Ventures

Sizzlesizzle.gg𝕏

Sizzle.gg is an AI tool for Twitch and YouTube streamers that connects to their streaming accounts to automatically create clips and compilations from their streams.

AI & Machine LearningCreator EconomyGaming

Co-investorsEterna CapitalID345Mindset VenturePlay VenturesSprint Vc

Skoogmusicskoogmusic.com
Sparckcosparckco.com
Storepassstorepass.co

Storepass is a retail operations platform for trading card game and hobby stores, integrating buylist, point of sale, catalog management, and automated pricing, with built-in catalogs for games such as Pokémon, MTG, and One Piece.

E-commerceRetail TechSaaS

Tallyfortallyfor.com

Tallyfor is a cloud platform for CPA firms that connects client books to the tax return, combining a cloud trial balance, tax workpaper organization, and line-by-line 1040 tax planning on a single source of client data.

AI & Machine LearningFintechSaaS

Vinergyincvinergyinc.com
Virtanzavirtanza.com

Co-investorsExpert DOJO

Worksanaworksana.com

Worksana provides employee time-tracking and California labor-law compliance software, offering a facial-recognition kiosk, offline mobile app, and web clock-in along with meal/rest break documentation, attestations, and payroll exports.

AgTechFuture of WorkHR TechSaaS

David Hergenroeder(Co-Founder / CEO)Trevor Smith(Co-Founder / CFO)

Co-investorsEntrada Ventures

Zeste
Zestefarmszestefarms.com

Zeste Farms grows and sells living leafy greens and herbs—over 14 greens and 6 herbs—to chefs, grocers, and consumers, using an indoor vertical farming system called Anaconda.

AgTechFoodTechPaso Robles, US

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has Kern Venture Group made?
Kern Venture Group has 48 tracked investments, including 1 dated in the last 24 months.
What stage does Kern Venture Group invest at?
Kern Venture Group invests at the Seed, Series A, Series B stages.
What sectors does Kern Venture Group focus on?
Kern Venture Group focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, AgTech, Defense Tech, Energy, Logistics & Supply Chain, Sector Agnostic.
Where is Kern Venture Group located?
Kern Venture Group is headquartered in Bakersfield, US.
Who does Kern Venture Group co-invest with?
Kern Venture Group most often shares deals with Allied Venture Partners, Elevate Ventures, Techstars, among 83 tracked co-investors.

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