Matchstick Ventures

Matchstick Ventures is a Boulder, Colorado-based venture capital firm with an additional presence in Minneapolis, Minnesota, specializing in seed and early-stage investments. Co-founded by Ryan Broshar and Todd Kinsinger, the firm has carved out a distinct niche by focusing on supporting promising startups in emerging technology ecosystems across the United States, often outside the traditional coastal tech hubs. Their investment philosophy centers on identifying and nurturing companies with strong founding teams and innovative solutions, particularly those poised to disrupt their respective industries.

The firm's investment strategy is largely stage-specific, targeting pre-seed and seed-stage companies. While sector-agnostic, Matchstick Ventures has built a diverse portfolio spanning enterprise SaaS, fintech, healthcare technology, and consumer applications. A key differentiator is their commitment to what they term "Rise of the Rest" regions, actively seeking out opportunities in cities like Denver, Chicago, and Minneapolis, thereby contributing to the decentralization of venture capital. They aim to be the first institutional money in, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and network access to help founders scale.

Matchstick Ventures has demonstrated a robust fundraising trajectory, signaling its growing influence in the early-stage investment landscape. Their third fund, Fund III, successfully closed at $60 million, while their most recent vehicle, Fund IV, significantly expanded its capacity, closing at $100 million in late 2023. This growth enables them to deploy initial checks typically ranging from $500,000 to $2,000,000, with the capacity for substantial follow-on investments as portfolio companies mature. The firm prides itself on being a hands-on partner, leveraging its operational experience to assist startups with critical aspects such as talent acquisition, product-market fit, and subsequent fundraising rounds.

With a cumulative asset under management exceeding $200 million across multiple funds, Matchstick Ventures has established itself as a significant player in the early-stage venture ecosystem, particularly for startups in underserved markets. Their commitment to fostering innovation beyond Silicon Valley has earned them a reputation as a founder-friendly and value-add investor, contributing significantly to the growth of regional tech economies.