Launchpad Capital

Launchpad Capital is a venture capital firm based in Oakland, California, founded in 2020. The company focuses on building and investing in pre-seed and seed stage fintech companies, particularly within sectors such as cryptocurrency, blockchain, mortgage technology, real estate technology, and insurance. Launchpad Capital recognizes the transformative potential of the financial services industry and aims to foster innovation that is fair, transparent, and empowers consumers and businesses alike. By leveraging structural changes in the financial landscape and accessible infrastructure, Launchpad Capital seeks to support the development of products and services that enhance control over personal finances and associated data.

Andrew Drake

Venture Partner

Gilbert, Ryan M.

Founder

33 past transactions

MIC Global

Seed Round in 2024
MIC Global is an embedded microinsurance provider focused on transforming the insurance industry by offering simple and relevant products designed to protect individuals and families. The company aims to address the insurance protection gap by delivering inclusive and affordable insurance solutions, particularly for underserved markets. It develops a technology platform that facilitates customized microinsurance products, with services that include underwriting, health, rent, and deposit options. Additionally, MIC Global offers monitoring services for the dark web and credit bureaus, enabling clients to better manage risks and design tailored insurance solutions that support clients in times of need.

Inbanx

Venture Round in 2023
Inbanx offers a digital payments platform designed to streamline business payments and enhance budget management. The company's solution allows organizations to manage their card programs and maintain spending control across various divisions, departments, and teams. By providing real-time data through an intuitive user experience, Inbanx helps businesses automate expense reporting and gain insights through artificial intelligence. This approach aims to reduce manual workflows and prevent overspending, ultimately leading to cost savings and improved financial oversight.

Sora

Venture Round in 2023
Sora develops an automated finance tool design to help families obtain personalized rates for mortgage, auto, and student loans.

Zurp

Pre Seed Round in 2023
Zurp is a fintech platform built for superfans. Instead of a traditional reward program, Zurp offers exclusive experiences with cardholders' favorite influencers.

Exponential DeFi

Seed Round in 2022
Exponential DeFi platform makes it easy to discover, assess, and invest in DeFi yield opportunities. Anyone can become a lender or market maker with DeFi. Financial freedom is within everyone's reach when individuals have the ability to grow their wealth exponentially. Its platform helps investors assess the risk of DeFi yield opportunities so they can invest with confidence. Exponential DeFi platform was founded in 2021 and is based in San Francisco, California.

Rocketplace

Seed Round in 2022
Rocketplace is a cryptocurrency trading platform based in Palo Alto, California, founded in 2021. It allows users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies without incurring commission fees, simplifying the trading process. In addition to its trading services, Rocketplace offers free weekly articles focused on cryptocurrency, NFTs, and Web3 topics, providing users with valuable educational resources as they engage in trading activities.

Central Payment

Venture Round in 2022
Central Payments is a prominent provider of payments technology and issuing solutions tailored for fintech and embedded finance sectors. The company specializes in a comprehensive suite of services, including real-time account validation, fraud monitoring, international remittance, and disbursement solutions. Central Payments operates an Open*CP API Marketplace, recognized as a banking-as-a-service platform designed by fintech professionals, which integrates issuing capabilities. Additionally, the company serves small to medium-sized merchants, particularly in the restaurant, personal services, and retail industries, through an Independent Sales Agent model. By focusing on innovative technology and accessible financial solutions, Central Payments aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of payment processing for its clients.

Tongo

Seed Round in 2022
Tongo gives real estate agents instant access to commission income. The company's platform uses factoring to aid hosts to receive payment for their upcoming reservations quickly, and access cash as soon as it is confirmed, enabling clients to cover their everyday expenses and unexpected emergencies while in a contract.

Keep Financial

Seed Round in 2022
Keep Financial is a developer of a compensation platform that focuses on aligning employee compensation with business objectives and performance. The company offers custom vesting cash plans that provide employees with usable capital upfront, allowing organizations to attract and retain top talent while enhancing overall satisfaction and productivity. Each vesting milestone is tailored to individual employees, with payments treated as earned income, which helps clients improve retention rates and achieve their business goals. Through its innovative approach, Keep Financial aims to streamline the creation and management of hiring and retention packages, ultimately benefiting both employees and employers.

Fullreach

Seed Round in 2022
Fullreach is a developer of digital marketing software that focuses on person-based marketing solutions aimed at helping companies acquire new customers. The platform serves as an affiliate marketing tool specifically for real estate professionals, allowing businesses to connect with potential clients through real estate agents and brokers. By facilitating direct interactions, Fullreach enables companies to effectively scale their products and enhance customer acquisition through a service model that emphasizes personal engagement in a competitive market.

Ovation Ventures

Seed Round in 2022
Ovation Ventures focuses on financial wellness through the development of software that enhances users' financial health and preparedness for various life stages. Its flagship application, Paperwork, allows individuals to securely organize critical documents and create emergency plans, ensuring that families have access to essential information when needed. The platform provides step-by-step guidance on necessary documents, helping users protect their families and navigate life's uncertainties with peace of mind. By prioritizing safety and security, Ovation Ventures aims to optimize the management of private and financial information for its users.

UNest

Series B in 2021
UNest is a digital platform designed to assist families in saving for their children's education and future financial needs. Founded in 2018 by Ksenia Yudina in North Hollywood, California, the app allows parents to open a Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) account for their children within minutes and without the need for paperwork. UNest offers features such as advisor-guided investment plans, a simple gifting option, and the ability to set up recurring contributions, making it easier for parents to manage their savings. Additionally, the platform provides regular updates to help users track their savings progress, empowering families to invest in their children's financial futures from an early stage.

Zebec

Seed Round in 2021
Zebec is a continuous settlement protocol on Solana. Zebec is enabling the composable transfer of value starting with Stream Payroll.

UpEquity

Series B in 2021
UpEquity is a technology-driven mortgage platform that simplifies the home buying process. Founded in 2019 by Tim Herman and Louis Wilson while they were students at Harvard Business School, the company is headquartered in Austin, Texas. UpEquity offers services such as mortgage and refinance, enabling users to upload documents for pre-approval through its online portal. The platform combines free cash offers, automated underwriting, and competitive mortgage rates to facilitate quick offers and closings, making it accessible even for first-time homebuyers. By streamlining the application and approval process, UpEquity aims to democratize access to the housing market and enhance the overall home buying experience.

Copper Banking

Seed Round in 2021
Copper Banking is a financial education platform designed to empower teenagers with financial literacy and banking services. By offering a user-friendly app and debit card, Copper enables teens to manage their money effectively, gaining hands-on experience that traditional banks often overlook. The platform facilitates money transfers, direct deposits, and payments while fostering a connection between parents and teens regarding financial decisions. Additionally, Copper provides exclusive content crafted by financial literacy experts, equipping users with valuable advice and tips to enhance their understanding of personal finance and help them take control of their financial futures. Through these features, Copper seeks to instill responsible financial habits in young users.

Vouch

Series C in 2021
Vouch, Inc. is a provider of insurance products and services specifically tailored for startups in the United States. The company offers a range of coverage options, including general liability, business property, directors and officers insurance, errors and omissions, cyber coverage, crime coverage, employment practices liability, hired and non-owned auto, and fiduciary liability. Vouch operates a tech-enabled platform that allows businesses to access multiple insurance carriers and receive instant quotes, facilitating customized coverage solutions. By leveraging technology and industry expertise, Vouch aims to help high-growth companies manage risk effectively as they scale. Founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, California, Vouch operates as a subsidiary of SVB Financial Group.

Watalook

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Watalook is a beauty booking platform that connects clients with beauty professionals, facilitating an efficient appointment scheduling process. The platform allows beauty experts to manage bookings through custom calendars, automate reminders, and maintain a client history dashboard. Additionally, beauty professionals can create personal web pages to showcase their services and work, enhancing their visibility and appeal to potential clients. Watalook primarily operates in Lithuania, the UK, the US, and Norway, making it easier for customers to discover and book beauty services in these markets.

Fullreach

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Fullreach is a developer of digital marketing software that focuses on person-based marketing solutions aimed at helping companies acquire new customers. The platform serves as an affiliate marketing tool specifically for real estate professionals, allowing businesses to connect with potential clients through real estate agents and brokers. By facilitating direct interactions, Fullreach enables companies to effectively scale their products and enhance customer acquisition through a service model that emphasizes personal engagement in a competitive market.

Karvi

Series A in 2021
Karvi is transforming the auto market in Latin America by providing a digital platform that simplifies the process of buying certified pre-owned vehicles. The company connects customers with a wide network of dealerships, ensuring a seamless and transparent experience. By offering real-time stock information, Karvi empowers users with quality insights about the vehicles, promotes fair pricing, and streamlines the purchasing process. This approach not only facilitates informed decision-making but also enhances customer satisfaction, ultimately making the car buying experience more enjoyable and cost-effective.

Grabango

Series B in 2021
Grabango is a technology company that specializes in checkout-free shopping solutions for the retail industry. Founded in 2016 and based in Berkeley, California, Grabango develops a system that utilizes computer vision and machine learning to enhance the shopping experience in existing grocery and convenience stores. By employing cameras and shelf sensors, the technology identifies items as customers pick them up and adds them to a virtual basket. After selecting their items, shoppers can simply scan a code in the Grabango app to pay via their registered payment method and exit the store without waiting in line. This innovative approach aims to streamline the shopping process, making it faster and more convenient for customers, while also ensuring privacy through anonymized data handling. Grabango partners with large-scale retailers to retrofit their stores, eliminating traditional checkout lines and setting a new standard in retail shopping.

inai

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Inai is a single integration for your global payment stack. Inai will provide connections to multiple payment service providers ( Stripe, Adyen , Braintree), Wallets, BNPL platforms, open banking providers, fraud, BI and accounting in a single integration. Our dashboard will allow merchants to build custom workflows tailored to their unique business needs without writing any code

Extend

Series C in 2021
Extend is an API first company that allows any merchant to offer extended warranties and protection plans, both online and offline, while also providing the merchant's end customers with a vastly improved and modern support experience that eliminates many of the issues customers face today with legacy underwriters. Their intelligent decision engine uses machine learning to optimize warranty offers in real-time, thereby improving warranty and cart conversions and generating the most revenue for the merchant. Extend platform is integrated into leading eCommerce solutions including Shopify, Magento, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, BigCommerce, and others so that they can be up and running quickly, with no technical requirements. They also provide custom API integrations for larger merchants who have their own eCommerce platform. It stores all the details of an individual's product purchase and warranty plan for them, while also assisting throughout the claim process to create a seamless experience from start to finish. It was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Embed Financial Technologies

Seed Round in 2021
Embed provides modern securities execution, clearing, settlement, and custody APIs for fintechs, broker-dealers, RIAs, banks, and trust companies.

Scrypt

Seed Round in 2021
Scrypt AI provides an industry leading Integrated Payables and Receivables platform that leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence to deliver fast, zero-touch invoice coding, check coding, digital payments and account reconciliation. Scrypt seamlessly integrates with deposit and payment imaging solutions as well as third-party ERPs and eSign products.

Blotout

Seed Round in 2021
Blotout is a developer of a customer data platform designed to help organizations navigate the challenges of the post-cookie era. Its platform focuses on reducing data loss and compliance risks while enhancing customer relationships. Blotout offers a range of features, including analytics, data management, advertisement segmentation, identity management, and a machine learning stack. By addressing the decline of third-party cookies and identifiers, Blotout enables enterprises to eliminate reliance on third-party scripts and software development kits, thereby reducing vulnerabilities and improving overall site performance. Trusted by enterprises, Blotout's solutions aim to create a more secure and effective digital environment for managing customer data.

Truehold

Seed Round in 2021
Truehold offers a sale-leaseback service designed specifically for senior citizens, allowing them to access the full value of their home equity while continuing to live in their residence. This program alleviates the burdens of home maintenance and financial responsibilities by purchasing the home outright and providing a rental arrangement. As a result, seniors can enjoy a comfortable living situation without the stresses associated with homeownership, fostering a healthy and happy lifestyle at home.

Mesh Payments

Venture Round in 2021
Mesh Payments, founded in 2018 by Eran Katoni and Oded Zehavi, is a New York-based company that specializes in cardless corporate payment solutions tailored for businesses operating on a Software as a Service (SaaS) model. The company's spend management platform enhances financial oversight through features such as virtual and physical cards, real-time expense tracking, and automated workflows. This platform allows finance managers to efficiently manage approvals, track spending, and generate reports, ultimately aiming to reduce costs and improve financial health. By providing visibility and control over expenditures, Mesh Payments helps organizations orchestrate and reconcile their spending effectively.

Rollfi

Seed Round in 2021
Rollfi is a financial platform that specializes in providing a range of services, including cryptocurrency transactions, online payment solutions, and electronic fund transfers. Additionally, it offers an embedded payroll and benefits platform tailored for vertical Software-as-a-Service companies, allowing them to integrate payroll functionalities into their existing products. Through its application programming interface, Rollfi enables businesses to offer diverse payroll options, including cash and cryptocurrency, thereby accommodating the preferences of their employees for payment methods. This comprehensive approach positions Rollfi as a versatile solution in the financial technology landscape.

Deep Discovery

Seed Round in 2021
Deep Discovery focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence to combat financial crime by uncovering hidden patterns in publicly available data. Inspired by investigative journalism, particularly the reporting of the Panama Papers, the company aims to identify organized crime networks that remain undetected, contributing to significant financial penalties for banks. By generating financial crime risk assessment scores for companies and their leadership, Deep Discovery provides tools for banks, regulators, law enforcement, and journalists to evaluate potential risks within opaque networks. Their subscription-based model allows users to access these risk scores, along with the underlying source documentation for verification. The company stands out by offering network-based risk assessments, which are not available from other software vendors, addressing a critical gap in the market that has led to banks inadvertently engaging with high-risk entities.
Operator of a banking and insurance services company intended to help build financial resilience. The company's software lets make financial decisions in sync with their daily life, through brands they trust, and with customized advice, enabling users to discover and acquire insurance services that suit their needs the most.

Syntegra

Seed Round in 2020
Syntegra applies state-of-the-art machine learning models to create validated, synthetic data derivatives of health care data that match all of the statistical properties of the underlying data, but guaranteed to contain none of the original data, and cleared of privacy issues. Healthcare systems and data aggregators are forced to impose ever greater barriers to clinical data access. Syntegra is unique in developing a very large, open-access data platform of high quality, patient-level real-world data, trained using modern machine learning methods on health system information. Users can leverage our platform to conduct analytics, building predictive models, generating synthetic control groups for clinical trials and more. Since training is done on data at rest, and only deep learning model parameters are sent from the Syntegra API to the Syntegra servers, there is no risk of identifiable personal information leaving our secure platform. To satisfy health system security teams and end-users, numerous methods of validation, leak-testing and benchmarking are applied to the data derivatives before they pierce the health system’s firewall. Syntegra’s solution is scalable, and usable across many types of data, from images to financial information to sensor streams, will be securely added to our data lake over time. The company is led by a team of extraordinary serial entrepreneurs and university faculty with deep knowledge in medicine and data science.
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