Kickstart Fund
Venture capitalSalt Lake City · Pre-Seed–Seed · 19 people tracked
Investment thesis
Kickstart focuses on early-stage investing in the Mountain West region, positioning itself as the area's first seed fund. The firm backs bold, outlier founders building companies within its regional ecosystem, drawing on nearly two decades of experience, deep regional knowledge, and firsthand empathy from partners who were themselves founders. It emphasizes supporting early-stage companies with grit that can thrive in a distinct local environment spanning Salt Lake and Denver.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 19 people
from the firm's website & public directories.jpg)
What they invest in
from 84 of 101 portfolio companiesSaaS ×39Enterprise Software ×32AI & Machine Learning ×27Fintech ×13Cloud Computing ×8Data & Infrastructure ×8Healthtech ×8HR Tech ×8
HQs:United States×48France×1
Investments · 101 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathSalt Lake City, US
Aaron DeRose(Director)Thomas Compagno(Executive Officer, Director)Rilee Buttars(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Serene Papenfuss(Director)Thomas Currit(Executive Officer)Owen Fuller(Director)
Board seatSerene Papenfuss· per SEC Form D · $4.8M raise · filed Mar 2022
Redo provides returns management and fulfillment software for e-commerce businesses, featuring AI-powered SMS messaging, order tracking, and integrations with platforms like Shopify and ShipHero.
E-commerceSaaS
Aervivo provides a cloud-based connectivity platform that delivers managed gigabit WiFi and fiber connectivity to residential communities.
Cloud ComputingPropTechSan Diego, US
Robert Meade(Director)Michael Hart(Director, Executive Officer)
BoardTanner Potter(Director)Dalton Wright(Director)
Alianza provides a platform for service providers to modernize voice and communications operations through AI-infused experiences and simplified network management.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwarePleasant Grove, US
Clark Peterson(Director)Shaun Andrews(Director)Scott Wharton(Director)Brian Beutler(Executive Officer, Director)inScott Petty(Director)Brian Smith(Director)
Altitude AI is an AI platform that helps system integrators save time on industrial documentation, engineering drawings, PLC code, and troubleshooting.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsEnterprise Software
Alysio is an AI-native platform that unifies revenue, sales, and go-to-market data from multiple tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Gong into a single conversational interface.
AI & Machine LearningSaaSSales TechSalt Lake City, US
Aaron McReynolds(Executive Officer, Director)Ryan Harris(Executive Officer, Director)Kat Kennedy(Director)
Anagram Security builds security awareness training software designed to replace ineffective video-based compliance programs.
CybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Harley Sugarman(CEO)
Artemis Health provides data analytics and insights software to U.S. employers, advisors, and payers to optimize health benefits and reduce healthcare costs.
Data & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareHealthtech<UNKNOWN>, US
Dalton Wright(Director)Grant Gordon(Executive Officer, Director)Ashok Subramanian(Director)Dallen Allred(Executive Officer, Director)Ambar Bhattacharyya(Director)Dallin Regehr(Executive Officer)
Blyncsy provides an AI-powered platform that automates roadway inspection and asset inventory for cities and state departments of transportation by analyzing crowd-sourced dash camera imagery.
AI & Machine LearningConstruction TechGovTechSalt Lake City, US
Benjamin Dahl(Director)Benjamin Capell(Director)Mark Pittman(Executive Officer, Director)in
BrainStorm provides a platform for driving enterprise adoption of AI and software tools through behavior change orchestration, rather than traditional training.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Curt Roberts(Director)John Wade(Executive Officer, Director)Eric Farr(Executive Officer, Director)
Campfire provides customizable leadership development programs for organizations, offering flexible content delivery, facilitated sessions, and coaching tools that adapt to company culture and real-world work contexts.
Future of WorkHR TechSaaS
Care by Clay provides AI-powered lesson planning and digital behavior coaching tools for early childhood educators and school staff.
AI & Machine LearningEdTechMental Health
CareCar connects health plan members with a network of caregivers to improve access to care services.
Digital HealthHealthtechSaaSDenver, US
Joshua Itano(Executive Officer, Director)Mike Matz(Executive Officer)Jennifer Gallinger(Executive Officer)
BoardUriridiakoghene Onovakpuri(Director)Matt Smith(Director)Scott Reid(Director)
Carputty modernizes auto financing through a digital lending platform that offers straightforward, fixed-rate loans for vehicle purchases up to $45,000.
B2B MarketplacesConsumerFintechAtlanta, US
Joshua Tatum(Secretary)J. Patrick Bayliss(President and CEO)Michael Tannenbaum(Resigned as a Director 7/16/2021)
Chargezoom provides an AI-native platform that automates accounts receivable workflows including invoicing, collections, and reconciliation.
AI & Machine LearningFintechSaaSIrvine, US
Matthew Dubois(Executive Officer, Director)Daniel Drechsel(Director)Jeffrey Bocan(Director)Hiten Shah(Director)Miguel Avellan(Director)
Provo, US
Christopher M Lee(Director)Nathan J Quigley(CEO, Treasurer, Secretary)James H Quigley(Director)Jared W Stone(Director)
Claravine provides a SaaS platform that enforces consistent data standards and taxonomy across digital marketing operations for enterprise brands and agencies.
Data & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareMarketing TechProvo, US
Verl Allen(Chief Executive Officer)Justin Shepard(Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer)Bernard Kiyanda(Chief Technology and Product Officer)Scott Bennett(Chief Revenue Officer)Anne Murlowski(VP of Marketing)Dan Bowes(VP of Enterprise Transformation & Customer Enablement)
Clientbook is a digital sales assistant platform designed for luxury retail teams to drive sales and customer retention through AI-powered client recommendations, personalized messaging, analytics, and automation tools.
AI & Machine LearningSaaSLehi, US
Brandon Wright(Executive Officer)
CoNextions Medical develops implants for orthopedic soft tissue and tendon repair, designed to provide superior fixation to bone compared to traditional suture methods.
Medical Devices
Jeffrey T Barnes(Director)Richard J Linder(Mr. Linder is President, CEO and a director of the Issuer.)Erik N. Kubiak(Mr. Kubiak is Chairman and a director of the Issuer.)Brian Woolf(Executive Officer)
Converus develops eye-tracking technology for deception detection, offering solutions including EyeDetect and VerifEye for law enforcement, corporate, and government credibility assessment.
Deep TechEnterprise SoftwareGovTechLehi, US
Dr. John Kircher(Chief Scientist)Donald Sanborn(Director)Todd Mickelsen(Executive Officer, Director)Paul Ahlstrom(Director)Bryan Ritchie(Director)Michael Wolfgramm(Director)
Utah, US
Crew is a recruiting software platform that combines applicant tracking and customer relationship management features for staffing agencies and independent recruiters, with built-in sourcing tools, automation capabilities, and LinkedIn integration.
Enterprise SoftwareHR TechParis, FR
Amine Skalli(Founder)in
Crew manages trash removal and can-to-curb service for short-term rental owners and property managers.
B2B MarketplacesPropTech<UNKNOWN>, US
Cam Lam(Founder)Tanner Davis(CFO)Travis Zappia(COO)
Degreed provides an enterprise learning experience platform that helps organizations collect, understand, and develop workforce skills through AI-driven learning experiences.
EdTechEnterprise SoftwareHR TechSaaSSan Francisco, US
David Blake(CEO)Chris McCarthy(Director)
BoardBrandon Tidwell(Director)
DirectScale, now part of Exigo, provides software platform solutions for MLM and direct-selling businesses.
Enterprise SoftwareSaaSLindon, US
Michael Lohner(Director)Jim Marks(Executive Officer, Director)Rodger Smith(Executive Officer, Director)
Epistemix provides simulation and modeling software to help organizations understand product adoption patterns at the individual level and test strategies to optimize market penetration.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaSPittsburgh, US
John Grefenstette(Executive Officer, Director)John Cordier(Director)Donald Burke(Executive Officer, Director)Robert Delach(Executive Officer)
eVisit provides digital care coordination and delivery software for healthcare systems, enabling them to expand care access, improve operational efficiency, and reduce costs across clinical, financial, and operational functions.
Digital HealthEnterprise SoftwareHealthtechMesa, US
BRET A. LARSEN(CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & MANAGER)GLEN JOSEPH MCCRACKEN(MANAGER)
Graphite provides a procurement platform that enables faster supplier onboarding and ongoing supplier management through automated risk assessments, data validation, and compliance monitoring.
Enterprise SoftwareSaaS
Gravwell is a security data platform that collects, stores, and analyzes unstructured logs and large data volumes in raw format without enforcing predefined schemas.
CybersecurityData & InfrastructureEnterprise Software
HireVue provides AI-powered hiring software including virtual job tryouts and skills assessments to reduce bias and simplify the recruitment process.
AI & Machine LearningHR Tech
Huckabuy provides edge infrastructure for rendering and serving web pages to search engines and AI agents, enabling faster content delivery and improved SEO performance.
AdTechCloud ComputingSaaSPark City, US
Geoffrey Atkinson(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Diogo Myrrha(Director)Chase Mathewson(Executive Officer)Barton Webb Bodell IV(Executive Officer)Robson Grieve(Director)
Henderson, US
Christine Tan(Director)Emily Huang(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardAlex Soffe(Director)
Ingo Money provides instant payment orchestration and account funding services for fintechs and financial institutions, enabling customers to transfer funds inbound and outbound across multiple channels with real-time underwriting and fraud protection.
Cloud ComputingEnterprise SoftwareFintechSaaS
Vince Talbert(Director)Drew Edwards(Executive Officer, Director)Bailey P. Robinson, III(Director)Charles Russell Pickering(Executive Officer)John W. Collins(Director)Steve Doctor(Executive Officer)
Kadence is a workplace platform that helps companies manage hybrid and in-office schedules, coordinate team activities, and build employee engagement through event planning and community features.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkHR TechSaaSWilmington, US
Dan Bladen(Founder & CEO)inKatrina Kennedy(Director)Ezequiel Vidra(Director)Lawrence Barclay(Director)George Davies(Director)
Rows marked “SEC filing” are inferred from directors named on the company's SEC Form D — public regulatory data, not a portfolio list published by the firm.
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Kickstart Fund invest at?
- Kickstart Fund invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What is Kickstart Fund's typical check size?
- Kickstart Fund typically writes checks of $250K – $3M.
- What sectors does Kickstart Fund focus on?
- Kickstart Fund focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Crypto & Web3, Data & Infrastructure, Healthtech, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Kickstart Fund located?
- Kickstart Fund is headquartered in Salt Lake City, US.
- Does Kickstart Fund lead rounds?
- Yes, Kickstart Fund leads investment rounds.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
from their channelThe Sondermind Story | From West Point to Building a Mental Health Unicorn with Mark Frank
The Kickstart Podcast
The Lucid Story | Building a Category-Defining SaaS Company with Ben Dilts, Karl Sun, & Dave Grow
The Kickstart Podcast
Resilience Insights with Rob Nelson, Grow Founder and CEO
The Kickstart Podcast
Roadblock Recovery Insights with Jeremy Hanks, DSCO Founder
The Kickstart Podcast
Insights on Strong Customer Connections and Awesome Employee Experiences with Vanessa and Nate Quigl
The Kickstart Podcast
Leadership Insights with Mike Peregrina, Homie Co-Founder
The Kickstart Podcast
Co-investors · 63
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Silverton Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Texas that partners with founders long-term, having backed 75+ portfolio companies with 30+ acquisitions and 4 IPOs.
Bessemer Venture Partners is a venture capital firm that partners with entrepreneurs from early stages through every stage of growth, publishing investment roadmaps across multiple technology sectors.
Pelion Venture Partners helps entrepreneurs and invests in early-stage B2B software-based companies. Since 1986, Pelion Venture Partners has been helping entrepreneurs turn early-stage concepts into tomorrow's industry-leading companies. Pelion invests in early-stage B2B software across the US. With 7 investment team members, Pelion has deepand diverse industry and investment experience. They are hands-on in their approach and work collaboratively with each portfolio company.
Origin Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm backing founders building companies in the artificial intelligence economy, focusing on infrastructure, software, applications, services, and marketplaces that transform productivity and automation.
Peterson Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital firm that partners with founders to build businesses, focusing on early-stage consumer and software companies.
FirstMile Ventures is a venture capital firm that backs early-stage companies as they tackle their earliest challenges, across sectors such as health, security, data infrastructure, crypto, and enterprise software.
Andreessen Horowitz's Strategic Partnerships page describes collaborations that connect its portfolio companies with established institutions to help scale and deploy their technology.
General Catalyst is a venture capital and investment firm that backs founders across industries, with a strong focus on AI-driven transformation, fintech, healthcare, and other sectors.
Lightspeed Venture Partners is a global venture capital firm known for backing AI and technology founders, emphasizing deep, hands-on partnerships with the companies it funds.
Norwest is a venture and growth equity investment firm that has backed over 700 companies across sectors including AI, retail, and healthcare, working alongside entrepreneurs from early to late-stage growth.
▶51 more co-investors
NextView VenturesForerunner VenturesF-Prime Capital PartnersArray Ventures Management LlcLeft Lane CapitalMONASHEESCrosscut VenturesDrive CapitalArtis VenturesTRANSFORMATION CAPITALTTV CapitalFontinalis PartnersOquirrh VenturesStout Street CapitalCraft VenturesAlumni VenturesLong Journey VenturesFounder CollectiveBenchmarkEverywhere VenturesAtomicoBalderton CapitalEniac VenturesACME CapitalObvious VenturesUlu VenturesAcrew Capital01 AdvisorsFlatiron HealthFifth WallTq Ventures LlcWGI GroupKearny JacksonDecibel PartnersContrary CapitalEnsemble VCModerne VenturesGrotech VenturesSlack FundFirefly HealthHambro PerksKfundFINTOP CapitalIngeborg InvestmentsTelescope PartnersAudaciousGaldana VenturesExpanding CapitalMATR VenturesRabo InvestmentsCobre Capital
Firms observed investing alongside Kickstart Fund, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Kickstart Fund's recorded portfolio.
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