Kindred Ventures

Kindred Ventures is a prominent seed-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, established in 2013 by co-founders Steve Jang and Kanyi Maqubela. The firm distinguishes itself by partnering with entrepreneurs at the earliest phases of company building, frequently engaging with startups that are pre-product and pre-revenue. Their investment philosophy centers on identifying visionary founders and providing comprehensive support as they navigate the complex journey from nascent ideas to market-ready enterprises. Kindred Ventures is known for its hands-on approach, aiming to be true "kindred spirits" with the teams they back, offering strategic guidance and operational assistance beyond just capital.

The firm maintains a broad investment thesis, actively seeking opportunities across diverse sectors including consumer technology, enterprise solutions, and deep tech innovations. They are particularly interested in disruptive technologies and business models that have the potential to redefine industries. Kindred Ventures emphasizes building long-term relationships with its portfolio companies, often participating in subsequent funding rounds to support their growth trajectory. This commitment to enduring partnerships underscores their belief in fostering sustainable and impactful ventures from the ground up.

Kindred Ventures has steadily grown its capital base since its inception. The firm successfully closed its fourth fund, Kindred Ventures IV, LP, at $100 million in 2021, bringing their total assets under management to approximately $400 million across four distinct funds. For initial investments, Kindred Ventures typically writes first checks ranging from $500,000 to $2 million, although they possess the flexibility to deploy larger sums for follow-on rounds or for particularly compelling seed opportunities that require more substantial early capital. Their consistent fundraising success and strategic investment approach have cemented their reputation as a key player in the early-stage venture capital ecosystem, particularly within the competitive San Francisco Bay Area.