Kickstart Ventures
Venture capitalManila · Seed–Series C · 21 people tracked
Investment thesis
Kickstart Ventures focuses on empowering founders to bring transformative ideas to market by bridging global innovation with Southeast Asia's leading conglomerates and the markets they serve. The firm aims to help startups reach markets, networks, and partners needed to scale, delivering strategic value and financial returns to its partners through insight, investments, and partnerships. It envisions a Southeast Asia where innovation crosses borders, founders and corporations access opportunities they could not reach alone, and the region becomes a defining force in the future global economy.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 21 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 31 of 39 portfolio companiesSaaS ×10AI & Machine Learning ×8Enterprise Software ×6Cloud Computing ×5Future of Work ×4Media & Entertainment ×4Creator Economy ×3Developer Tools ×3
HQs:Philippines×6Singapore×4United States×4Canada×1Estonia×1United Kingdom×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 12 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×62 founders×33 founders×3
Where their founders studiedfrom 13 founders with education data
University of California, Berkeley ×5National University of Singapore ×2
Where their founders worked beforefrom 14 founders with career history
Simon Fraser University ×2
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Investments · 39 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2026 · 12017 · 12 dated
BagoSphere runs structured leadership and workforce development programs for frontline staff, new hires, first-time managers, and high-potentials, using a proprietary 360° feedback tool and data to track behavior change.
EdTechFuture of WorkHR TechBacolod, PH
Co-investorsElea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization
Co-investorsTitanium Ventures
Clarity provides air quality monitoring covering ambient pollutants such as particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide.
Climate TechHardwareIoT
Co-investorsBlue Bear VenturesSoundproof VenturesSpero VenturesHumba VenturesLMNT VenturesRegeneration.VC
CollectCo operates a network of over 1,000 parcel collection centers across Malaysia, letting retail shops become "Premium Points" where online buyers can pick up or drop off parcels via partnerships with more than 10 courier companies.
E-commerceLogistics & Supply ChainRetail Tech
Dialpad provides a platform that transforms customer conversations into actionable intelligence for businesses.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkSaaSSan Ramon, US
Craig Walker(Chief Executive Officer & Founder)inJohn Rector(Director)Brian Peterson(Chief Technology Officer & Founder)inLily Toy(Executive Officer)Dan O'Connell(Director)
BoardMark Shulgan(Director)in
Co-investorsAcrew CapitalAndreessen HorowitzAtomicCerity Partners VenturesFelicis VenturesFly Ventures+13 more
DIVE Studios is a K-entertainment content network that produces original talk shows, game shows, podcasts, travel series, and social content aimed at Gen Z fans worldwide.
Creator EconomyMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentSocial
Brian Nam(Founder)inEric Nam(Host / Founder)
Co-investors500 GlobalTBT
Edamama is an online shopping platform in the Philippines offering baby, mom, and family products across brands and categories, with express delivery and store locator features.
ConsumerE-commerceMarketplacesMetro Manila, PH
Co-investorsAlpha JWC VenturesFoxmont Capital PartnersGentree FundInnoVen Capital
Co-investorsWavemaker Impact
engageSPARK offers a self-service communication platform that lets NGOs, researchers, and businesses reach and survey people via SMS, voice/IVR, WhatsApp, chatbots, and airtime top-ups, including those with basic phones.
Developer Tools
Avner Mizrahi(Founder)inRavi Agarwal
Co-investors500 Global
Expedock builds dedicated remote outsourcing teams, supported by Operations Managers and QA specialists, that handle back-office workflows such as freight operations, documentation, billing, data annotation, RLHF, model evaluation, and healthcare administration.
AI & Machine LearningFuture of WorkLogistics & Supply Chain
Jeff Tan(Founder)in
Co-investorsDorm RoomFourth RealmInsight PartnersWebb Investment NetworkFoxmont Capital Partners
Featherless.ai provides a single API for accessing over 40,000 open-source AI models, including DeepSeek, Kimi, and GLM, without requiring setup or self-hosting.
AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingDeveloper Tools
Eugene Cheah(Founder)in
Co-investorsFjor FoundersOakseed VenturesPanache VenturesTranspose Platform ManagementWavemaker PartnersHack VC
igloo provides a retrofit-ready, offline-capable smart lock and access control platform, along with an API and 500+ integrations, for managing keyless entry across doors, gates, and lockers.
HardwareIoTPropTech
Co-investorsWavemaker Partners
Kalibrr is a job marketplace platform that connects job seekers with employers across the Philippines.
B2B MarketplacesEnterprise SoftwareHR TechSaaSMakati, PH
Paul Rivera(Founder/CEO)inDanny Castonguay(Founder)inDexter Ligot-Gordon(Founder/COO)in
BoardAnna Irmina Navarrete(Director)Badri Pillapakkam(Director)Beau Seil(Director)
Co-investorsFundersClubFuture Now VenturesY CombinatorLearn CapitalOmidyar Network
Lifetrack, by Lifetrack Medical Systems, is a cloud-based PACS (picture archiving and communication system) for medical imaging that connects and distributes images across imaging centers, hospitals, and multiple sites from a single platform.
HealthtechMedical DevicesSaaS
LotusFlare provides DNO Cloud, a cloud-based, microservices Business Support System (BSS) for Communication Service Providers to run digital telecom operations, monetize APIs, and sell eSIM connectivity.
Cloud ComputingEnterprise SoftwareSaaSSanta Clara, US
Sam M G(Founder)Shao Xia(Founder)
Lydia AI develops ORCA, an AI engine that takes complex operational problems described in natural language, voice memos, or uploaded files and produces structured deliverables such as reports, entity-relationship graphs, and optimized plans.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareInsurTechSaaS
Anthony LeeChristina CaiFedor SuprychevThanh Tran, CPA, CMA
Co-investors500 GlobalBeast VenturesWI Harper GroupAccel
Monogoto provides software-defined cellular connectivity that lets device makers program and manage connectivity across public networks, private 5G, and satellite through a single subscription and API.
Cloud ComputingIoTSaaS
Maor E.(Founder)in
Co-investorsAssembly VenturesMagenta Venture PartnersPlanven Entrepreneur VenturesTriventuresJ-VenturesSamsung Next+2 more
Co-investorsIdeaspace VenturesFoxmont Capital Partners
NextPay provides payment infrastructure for businesses and platforms in the Philippines, enabling payouts, invoicing, bill collection, and embedded payment workflows across local payment rails and banking networks.
FintechMakati, PH
Don Pansacola(Founder)inAldrich Tan(Founder)in
Co-investors1982 VenturesGolden Gate VenturesSaison CapitalY CombinatorFoxmont Capital Partners
Quickture is an AI-powered video editing tool that uses computer vision to automatically analyze footage, generate summaries, identify b-roll and faces, and suggest edits for faster post-production workflows.
AI & Machine LearningCreator EconomyMedia & Entertainment
Co-investorsArts AllianceForward Venture CapitalKickstart
Roslin Technologies develops animal stem cell lines used to produce cultivated meat — real meat grown directly from animal cells without raising livestock.
AgTechBiotechFoodTech
Co-investorsMilltrust International Group
Co-investorsAlter GlobalFoxmont Capital PartnersOpenspace VenturesSaison Capital
Skillshare is a New York-based subscription online learning community offering video classes in creative disciplines.
New York, US
Michael Karnajaprakorn(Executive Officer, Director)Michael Karnjanaprakorn(Executive Officer, Director)Moshe Koyfman(Director)
BoardAlex Finkelstein(Director)inAlbert Wenger(Director)inRamanan Raghavendran(Director)in
Co-investorsBurda Principal InvestmentsFounder CollectiveMenlo GroupRunway Growth CapitalTop Corner CapitalUnion Square Ventures (USV)+3 more
SnapCart provides brands with tools to survey shoppers, crowdsource data, and run loyalty and promotion offers, using machine learning models to automatically process receipts across stores.
AdTechAI & Machine LearningRetail Tech
Co-investorsR/GA VenturesVickers Venture PartnersWavemaker Partners
Spiralytics is a digital marketing agency based in the Philippines that provides SEO, paid search, AI visibility, content, and lead-generation services across channels including Google, Meta, TikTok, and AI assistants like ChatGPT.
AdTechMarketing TechSaaS
Sprout.ai provides AI-powered software to insurance companies for intelligent decision-making, helping them reduce costs, improve customer experience, and support growth.
AI & Machine LearningCrypto & Web3FintechInsurTechSaaSLondon, GB
Roi Amir(CEO)
Co-investorsEvolution VenturesForefront VenturePortfolio VenturesTechstarsAmadeus Capital PartnersOctopus Ventures+2 more
Sprouts.ai offers a go-to-market platform for B2B sales teams, consolidating sales and revenue tooling to support deal execution.
AI & Machine LearningSaaSSales Tech
Co-investors7BC Venture CapitalTrue Global Ventures
SRTX develops materials and software tools for textile manufacturing, with an initial product line of hosiery made from high-strength polymers.
Advanced ManufacturingRoboticsMontreal, CA
Katherine Homuth(Founder/CEO)in
Co-investorsSeraph GroupY CombinatorArcTern VenturesG2 Venture PartnersZeno Ventures
SwipeRx operates a digital platform and professional network for pharmacy professionals in Southeast Asia, offering CPD-accredited education, industry news, peer community features, and a B2B commerce tool for purchasing medicines.
B2B MarketplacesDigital HealthHealthtech
Farouk MeralliJon LinYee Fong Ten
Co-investors500 Global
Teridion provides a cloud-based network optimization service that uses hundreds of Points-of-Presence and multiple global cloud providers to improve routing, latency, and bandwidth for site-to-site, site-to-cloud, and multi-cloud traffic.
Cloud ComputingData & InfrastructureEnterprise Software
Co-investorsJVPMagma Venture Partners
Transcelestial builds laser communication technology that delivers high-speed internet connectivity using compact wireless optical devices as an alternative to fiber.
Cloud ComputingDeep TechDeveloper ToolsHardwareMedia & EntertainmentSpace TechSingapore, SG
Rohit Jha(CEO)inMohammad Danesh(CTO)inYuichiro Hikosaka
Co-investors500 GlobalBeyond Earth VenturesCapria VenturesChampion Hill VenturesEntrepreneur FirstIn-Q-Tel+4 more
TreeDots operates a food ecosystem that connects suppliers with businesses to sell excess or imperfect food inventory at reduced prices, aiming to cut food loss.
Circular EconomyFoodTechLogistics & Supply ChainSingapore, SG
Nicholas Lim(Founder)
Co-investorsAmasiaEast VenturesSEEDS Capital
Wattpad is a digital platform where users can read, write, and share stories, with a mobile app enabling access to stories and community features on-the-go.
Creator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentSocial
Co-investorsAugust CapitalBling CapitalGolden Venture PartnersGolden VenturesLobby CapitalOMERS Ventures+3 more
Xendit provides payments infrastructure for global companies and local businesses in Southeast Asia, offering direct integrations with over 100 local payment methods.
FintechJakarta, ID
Moses Lo(Founder/CEO)inBo Chen(Founder/CTO)inJuan Gonzalez(Founder/Principal Software Engineer)in
Co-investors01vcAC VenturesAccelCoatue ManagementEast VenturesGMO VenturePartners+9 more
Zipmatch runs a real estate brokerage and property listing platform based in Singapore.
PropTech
Chow ParedesJohn Dang
Co-investors500 GlobalIdeaspace VenturesKickstart
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesClarity · finsmes.com · Aug 14, 2026
Dialpad · fundraiseinsider.com · Jul 19, 2026
Sprout.ai · technode.global · Jul 9, 2026
Xendit · manilatimes.net · Jul 8, 2026
SRTX · insolvencyinsider.ca · Feb 22, 2026
Quickture · trysignalbase.com · Dec 4, 2025
Transcelestial Technologies · dealstreetasia.medium.com · Aug 6, 2025
Teridion · nasdaqprivatemarket.com · May 22, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Kickstart Ventures made?
- Kickstart Ventures has 36 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited via acquisition or IPO.
- What stage does Kickstart Ventures invest at?
- Kickstart Ventures invests at the Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C stages.
- What is Kickstart Ventures's typical check size?
- Kickstart Ventures typically writes checks of $30K – $20M.
- What sectors does Kickstart Ventures focus on?
- Kickstart Ventures focuses on Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Kickstart Ventures located?
- Kickstart Ventures is headquartered in Manila, PH.
- Who does Kickstart Ventures co-invest with?
- Kickstart Ventures most often shares deals with 500 Global, Y Combinator, Golden Gate Ventures, among 86 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamJoan Yao, Kickstart Ventures | Anchor Roundtable: Women in Venture (XIII)
Anchor Taiwan · Joan Yao
adobo FOI 2019: Investing in the Future of Technology with Kickstart Ventures's Minette Navarrete
adobo magazine · Minette Navarrete
Joan Yao - Vice President of Kickstart Ventures
Tagcash · Joan Yao
Images
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