
Kickstart Ventures
Description
Kickstart Ventures, established in 2012, serves as the corporate venture capital arm of Globe Telecom, a leading telecommunications company in the Philippines. Based in Makati, Kickstart's mission is to foster the growth of digital startups by providing not only capital but also strategic support, facilities, and crucial business connections. While its primary focus is on the burgeoning Philippine startup ecosystem, the firm also extends its investments to promising ventures across Southeast Asia and globally, reflecting a broad mandate to drive digital innovation.
The firm is known for its stage-agnostic investment approach, deploying capital from Seed to Series C rounds. Kickstart Ventures manages multiple funds, with its total assets under management exceeding $250 million. A significant milestone was the launch of its third and largest fund, the ACTIVE Fund, in 2021, which secured $180 million. This fund specifically targets Series A to Series C investments, allowing Kickstart to write larger checks and support companies through more advanced growth stages. Typical initial investments from Kickstart Ventures range from as little as $100,000 for early-stage ventures up to $10,000,000 for later-stage opportunities.
Beyond financial backing, Kickstart Ventures leverages its deep connections within Globe Telecom and its extensive network to provide portfolio companies with invaluable market access, operational expertise, and mentorship. Its strategic position as a CVC allows it to align investments with the broader digital transformation goals of its parent company, creating synergistic opportunities for startups. This comprehensive support model aims to accelerate the development of innovative solutions in sectors like fintech, e-commerce, digital media, and enterprise solutions, contributing significantly to the digital economy in the Philippines and beyond.
Investor Profile
Kickstart Ventures has backed more than 21 startups, with 3 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 1 rounds, about 5% of its total and boasts 3 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series A, Seed, Series C rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in Philippines, Singapore, United States.
- Strong thematic focus on FinTech, Health Care, Financial Services.
- Led 1 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $100K – $10M.
Stage Focus
- Series A (33%)
- Seed (29%)
- Series C (19%)
- Series Unknown (14%)
- Convertible Note (5%)
Country Focus
- Philippines (33%)
- Singapore (29%)
- United States (14%)
- Canada (14%)
- Indonesia (10%)
Industry Focus
- Fintech
- Health Care
- Financial Services
- E-commerce
- Software
- Apps
- Big Data
- Mobile
- Insurtech
- Employment
Frequently Asked Questions
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