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Benjamin Kim

Investor

Partner at Playground Global

Palo Alto, CA

Writes $1M – $20M checks · typically $10M

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About

Benjamin Kim, PhD, is a Partner at Playground Global focused on engineered biology, emerging modality therapeutics, and applying AI/ML to drug development. He joined the firm as a Venture Fellow in 2019 while completing a PhD in bioengineering at Stanford University, where he was a National Science Foundation Fellow and published research in bioengineering, protein engineering, and chemical synthesis, and rose to Venture Principal in 2022 before his promotion to Partner.

Contact· published on Benjamin's own website

Invests in

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechHardwareRoboticsSemiconductors

Experience

  1. Playground GlobalPartnercurrent2023 — presentPalo Alto, California, United States
  2. Playground GlobalVenture Principal2022 — 2023
  3. Playground GlobalSenior Venture Associate2022
  4. Playground GlobalVenture Associate2020 — 2021
  5. InsamoBoard Observer + Lead Series Seed Investorcurrent2024 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
  6. Amber BioBoard Observer + Lead Series Seed Investorcurrent2023 — presentSan Francisco, California, United States
  7. Atomic AIBoard Observer + Lead Series A Investorcurrent2022 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
  8. InfinimmuneBoard Director + Lead Series Seed Investorcurrent2022 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
  9. Outpace BioLead Series A/A1 Investorcurrent2021 — presentSeattle, Washington, United States
  10. Manifold BioBoard Observer + Lead Series Seed Investorcurrent2020 — presentBoston, Massachusetts, United States
  11. Lassogen, Inc.Board Observer + Lead Series Seed Investorcurrent2020 — presentSan Diego, California, United States
  12. Stanford UniversityPhD Graduate Student2013 — 2019United States
  13. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, GermanyInnovation Team Leader2018

Deals · 2

InsamoLed round

via Playground Global · filed Dec 2023

Manifold BioLed round

via Playground Global · filed Sep 2020

Attribution from SEC filings, press coverage, and firm rosters.

Other disclosed investments

Board seats

InfinimmuneOutpace BioSynthetic Design Labs

Investor

Outpace Bio

Per the firm's website.

Colleagues at Playground Global

Andy Rubin
Managing Partner at Playground Global
Angela Lin
Executive Assistant at Playground Global
Austin Yu
Investor at Playground Global
Bruce Leak
General Partner at Playground Global
Caroline Little
Director Government Affairs at Playground Global
Chika Nakasu
Executive Manager at Playground Global
Cici Tong
Assistant Controller at Playground Global
Clinton Lazzari
Operating Partner, Supply Chain at Playground Global

Network3

Andy Rubin
Managing Partner at Playground Global
Bruce Leak
General Partner at Playground Global
Jory Bell
General Partner at Playground Global

Investors connected to Benjamin in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Benjamin Kim?
Benjamin Kim, PhD, is a Partner at Playground Global focused on engineered biology, emerging modality therapeutics, and applying AI/ML to drug development. He joined the firm as a Venture Fellow in 2019 while completing a PhD in bioengineering at Stanford University, where he was a National Science Foundation Fellow and published research in bioengineering, protein engineering, and chemical synthesis, and rose to Venture Principal in 2022 before his promotion to Partner.
Where does Benjamin Kim work?
Benjamin Kim is Partner at Playground Global.
What does Benjamin Kim invest in?
Benjamin Kim invests in AI & Machine Learning, Biotech, Deep Tech, Hardware, Robotics, Semiconductors.
What check size does Benjamin Kim write?
Benjamin Kim typically writes checks of $1M – $20M.
What boards does Benjamin Kim sit on?
Benjamin Kim holds tracked board seats at Infinimmune, Manifold Bio, Outpace Bio, Synthetic Design Labs.
What companies has Benjamin Kim invested in?
Investments tracked here include Amber, Atomic AI, Infinimmune, Insamo, Manifold Bio, Outpace Bio, Outpace Bio.
Where did Benjamin Kim go to school?
Benjamin Kim studied at Stanford University (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering); Stanford University (Master of Science (MS), Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering); Washington University in St. Louis (B.A, Biochemistry).
Does Benjamin Kim lead rounds?
Yes — Benjamin Kim has led 6 tracked investments.

Same school

Shared employers