Kickstart Ventures

Kickstart Ventures Inc. puts big company resources - capital, facilities, expertise and business connections - behind startups, so investees can launch faster, and achieve scale and profitability sooner. Kickstart Ventures, Inc. is a fully-owned subsidiary of leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom launched in March 2012 to help support and develop a dynamic community of technopreneurs in the Philippines. It is committed to build innovative businesses in cooperation with like-minded individuals and organizations by providing funding, mentorship and education.

Bettina Capistrano

Senior Analyst, Investment

Mike Maté

Vice President, Investments

Minette Navarrete

President

Santos, Bit

Associate Vice President of Portfolio Operations

45 past transactions

Featherless.ai

Seed Round in 2025
Featherless.ai is a serverless AI hosting provider with GPU orchestration system.

Lydia.ai

Venture Round in 2024
Lydia AI is a health AI insurtech startup on a mission to insure the next billion people by making insurance personalized, easier to buy and more inclusive. Insurers work with Lydia AI to leverage new sources of data to make risk predictions which are used to personalize individual experiences, accelerate underwriting practices and develop new inclusive digital products with innovative Pay How You Live Benefits. The company has launched the first series of digital Lydia AI health score insurance products in Taiwan and plans to expand across Asia. Established in 2015, Lydia AI is backed by Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Information Venture Partners and 500 Global with offices in Toronto and Taiwan.

SRTX

Convertible Note in 2024
SRTX is a textile manufacturer that develops and sells unbreakable stockings. The company's pantyhose is made with the same type of fiber found in bulletproof vests and climbing equipment, enabling women to find and purchase premium and stylish inner garments.

Edamama

Series A in 2023
Edamama is a Philippine-based e-commerce platform that caters specifically to mothers, offering a wide range of baby and parenting products. The platform simplifies decision-making for parents by providing an extensive selection of items including diapers, wipes, safety products, breastfeeding accessories, bathing and grooming supplies, and educational materials. Additionally, Edamama offers a diaper subscription service, allowing parents to conveniently receive essential childcare products in one place. This comprehensive approach aims to support parents in managing their childcare needs effectively.

RuralNet

Seed Round in 2023
RuralNet is a digital API-driven platform that assists by providing a wide range of insurance and other financial services.

Transcelestial

Series A in 2023
Transcelestial Technologies Pte. Ltd., based in Singapore and established in 2016, specializes in developing a high-speed wireless communication network that utilizes laser technology for point-to-point connections. This innovative network is designed to facilitate data transfer for both terrestrial and satellite applications, achieving speeds up to 1000 times faster than conventional methods. The technology is characterized by its resilience against jamming and its independence from spectrum pre-allocation or regulatory constraints. By creating a robust infrastructure for wireless communication, Transcelestial aims to enhance global connectivity and provide reliable network services across various environments, including ground, satellite, and deep-space applications.

SariSuki

Series A in 2022
SariSuki is a community selling and buying platform that helps people become online grocery sellers in their neighborhood and offers fresh and affordable grocery items to buyers. Customers may buy food from home at inexpensive costs with no hidden charges and have them delivered safely through an online marketplace, allowing community groups to purchase everyday essentials. SariSuki was established in 2019 by Brian Cu, Philippe Lorenzo and Angelo Lee in Quezon City, Philippines.

Edamama

Series A in 2022
Edamama is a Philippine-based e-commerce platform that caters specifically to mothers, offering a wide range of baby and parenting products. The platform simplifies decision-making for parents by providing an extensive selection of items including diapers, wipes, safety products, breastfeeding accessories, bathing and grooming supplies, and educational materials. Additionally, Edamama offers a diaper subscription service, allowing parents to conveniently receive essential childcare products in one place. This comprehensive approach aims to support parents in managing their childcare needs effectively.

Mosaic Solution

Series A in 2022
Mosaic Solution specializes in profit optimization solutions for the hospitality and food and beverage sectors in Southeast Asia. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Manila, the company offers a suite of cloud-based products, including inventory management, point of sale systems, purchasing systems, and data analytics. These solutions are designed to enhance operational efficiency for multi-unit restaurant groups, cloud kitchens, hotels, and retailers. By providing a comprehensive view of key cost and revenue drivers, Mosaic enables its clients to make informed, data-driven decisions that improve profitability and cash flow. Additionally, its analytics capabilities extend to retail operations, allowing landlords to effectively monitor tenant performance and optimize overall shopping center operations.

igloocompany

Series B in 2022
Igloocompany is a provider of a secure access management platform tailored for smart infrastructure and properties. The company specializes in an application-based smart lock system that incorporates encryption and synchronization, allowing users and rental hosts to monitor who enters their homes. This functionality enables families to remotely oversee their property, enhancing security by tracking visitor access and identifying potential security breaches.
Intelligent Video Solutions provides publishers and broadcasters with seamless and cost-effective video distribution, as well as a premium instream video marketplace for advertisers. It aims to create new revenue streams for publishers and advertisers by improving media engagement and delivering relevant video content to consumers in a friendly and less intrusive manner. The company offers a ready-to-use video solution that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to improve monetization and consumer engagement.

NextPay

Seed Round in 2021
NextPay is a financial technology company that provides an all-in-one banking service platform tailored for small businesses and entrepreneurs. The platform simplifies financial management by allowing users to collect customer payments through digital invoices, manage cash flow, and execute batch payments to employees, suppliers, or bills. By consolidating various financial activities into a single platform, NextPay enables clients to efficiently send, receive, and oversee their finances, making it a convenient alternative to traditional bank accounts.

Edamama

Seed Round in 2021
Edamama is a Philippine-based e-commerce platform that caters specifically to mothers, offering a wide range of baby and parenting products. The platform simplifies decision-making for parents by providing an extensive selection of items including diapers, wipes, safety products, breastfeeding accessories, bathing and grooming supplies, and educational materials. Additionally, Edamama offers a diaper subscription service, allowing parents to conveniently receive essential childcare products in one place. This comprehensive approach aims to support parents in managing their childcare needs effectively.

Transcelestial

Venture Round in 2021
Transcelestial Technologies Pte. Ltd., based in Singapore and established in 2016, specializes in developing a high-speed wireless communication network that utilizes laser technology for point-to-point connections. This innovative network is designed to facilitate data transfer for both terrestrial and satellite applications, achieving speeds up to 1000 times faster than conventional methods. The technology is characterized by its resilience against jamming and its independence from spectrum pre-allocation or regulatory constraints. By creating a robust infrastructure for wireless communication, Transcelestial aims to enhance global connectivity and provide reliable network services across various environments, including ground, satellite, and deep-space applications.

Kumu

Series A in 2020
KumuMedia Technologies, Inc. is a company that operates Kumu, a social entertainment platform designed for Filipino communities. Launched in 2017 and headquartered in Sacramento, California, Kumu enables users to engage through livestream shows, group chats, and various interactive features. The platform fosters social interaction and facilitates monetary transactions, allowing content creators to monetize their work while providing audiences with a means to support their favorite artists. By emphasizing creativity, community, and commerce, Kumu aims to enhance the social experience for Filipinos both locally and globally.

Havenly

Series C in 2019
Havenly, Inc. is an online interior design service founded in 2013 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with a physical location in Boston, Massachusetts. The company provides users with professional interior designer consultations through online style surveys and photo uploads. Clients can partner with designers to create personalized spaces that reflect their unique styles and budgets. The platform facilitates collaboration on design ideas and enables users to visualize their rooms. Once the design is finalized, clients can purchase furniture and decorative items directly through Havenly, with access to a wide range of retailers at competitive prices. This service offers a cost-effective solution for individuals looking to enhance their home environments.

Sprout Solutions

Series A in 2019
Sprout is a payroll and HR software provider, focusing on emerging markets. Sprout fully automates timekeeping and attendance, replacing spreadsheets and printed forms with biometrics, single-click processing, and prescriptive analytics. Sprout has strong traction in the Philippines and a growing presence in Singapore and Indonesia.

yup.gg

Seed Round in 2019
yup.gg operates an online marketplace focused on the esports and gaming industries, offering users access to various marketing opportunities. The platform features organizational tools and a vast network, allowing individuals and businesses to connect and learn from each other. Additionally, yup.gg provides a marketing platform that enables users to plan, purchase, track, and optimize gaming campaigns, thereby facilitating connections with target audiences.

Igloohome

Series B in 2019
Igloohome Inc. specializes in the manufacture of security locks designed for both residential and commercial use, facilitating property management through innovative technology. The company offers several products, including the igloohome Smart Keybox, which serves short-term rental hosts and property owners, and the Smart Padlock, a remotely-managed security solution that enables convenient access control. Additionally, the Igloohome mobile app allows users to manage various locks, perform Bluetooth unlocks, generate and manage PIN codes, and monitor lock battery status. The Smart Keybox can be accessed via PIN code and Bluetooth. Igloohome markets its products through resellers and online channels. Founded in 2015, the company is headquartered in Singapore.

Lifetrack Medical Systems

Series A in 2019
Lifetrack Medical Systems is a health-tech company that’s developed and deployed the first scalable, distributed medical imaging software designed for affordable access in emerging markets. Our LifeSys™ platform is used by large healthcare chains, public health systems, and radiology group practices to scale their radiology operations seamlessly, without the pain or cost of legacy medical imaging software. Our mission is to build simple, elegant, powerful, and intuitive software platforms for the entire healthcare ecosystem, starting in medical imaging in emerging markets, where the needs are greatest and the resources are scarcest. We are trusted and backed by the Asia Impact Investment Fund of the UOB Group and Credit Suisse, the corporate VC arm of Philips Healthcare, and Kickstart Ventures of the Philippines’ Ayala Group. Lifetrack Medical Systems has customers in the United States, Philippines, Indonesia, India, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, UK, and Nigeria. Lifetrack holds two patents from the United States Patent Office, and secured US FDA 510(k) approval, CE Mark registration, and ANVISA registration for the LifeSys™ RIS/PACS.
Intelligent Video Solutions provides publishers and broadcasters with seamless and cost-effective video distribution, as well as a premium instream video marketplace for advertisers. It aims to create new revenue streams for publishers and advertisers by improving media engagement and delivering relevant video content to consumers in a friendly and less intrusive manner. The company offers a ready-to-use video solution that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to improve monetization and consumer engagement.

Caxe

Series C in 2018
Caxe Technologies specializes in providing technology solutions for financial services, primarily targeting blue-chip B2B clients. The company has developed a data and AI-based platform that offers a range of services, including digital banking software, credit decision-making tools, analytics, risk management, and regulatory reporting. By integrating these capabilities, Caxe enables clients to enhance their operational efficiency and make informed financial decisions through improved digital sales and distribution strategies.
Compare88 gives you the best choices to fulfill your financial and insurance needs in a fast, easy, and secure way. Sign up to receive updates about our products and services.

Kalibrr

Venture Round in 2018
Kalibrr, Inc. is a recruitment platform based in Makati City, Philippines, that offers online job listing and recruitment services tailored for both job seekers and employers. Founded in 2012 by Paul Rivera and Dexter Ligot-Gordon, Kalibrr provides a comprehensive range of job search services across various sectors, including accounting, IT, healthcare, and more, catering to different experience levels from internships to executive positions. The platform leverages advanced technology and artificial intelligence to enhance the hiring process, enabling employers to efficiently build strong relationships with candidates. Kalibrr has attracted significant investment from prominent Silicon Valley incubators and local investors, positioning itself as a key player in the recruitment industry in the Philippines.

Sprout Solutions

Seed Round in 2018
Sprout is a payroll and HR software provider, focusing on emerging markets. Sprout fully automates timekeeping and attendance, replacing spreadsheets and printed forms with biometrics, single-click processing, and prescriptive analytics. Sprout has strong traction in the Philippines and a growing presence in Singapore and Indonesia.

Wattpad

Venture Round in 2018
Wattpad is a digital entertainment company that operates an online social storytelling platform focused on original narratives. Established in 2006 in Toronto, Canada, Wattpad fosters a community of over 65 million users who engage with stories for more than 20 billion minutes each month. The primary app allows users to read and write stories, facilitating collaboration through comments and multimedia interactions. In addition to its flagship platform, Wattpad offers Tap, a product for short, chat-based stories available in multiple languages. Wattpad Studios collaborates with industry partners to adapt stories for film, television, digital media, and print. Furthermore, Wattpad Brand Solutions provides advertising options aimed at enhancing engagement with Millennial and Gen Z audiences.

ZAP Group

Seed Round in 2017
ZAP Group, Inc., founded in 2012 and based in Pasig, Philippines, specializes in loyalty programs for businesses. The company has assisted over 800 merchants in creating customized loyalty solutions, offering both card and mobile-based options. Merchants can tailor the mechanics of their programs, build a member database, and leverage data analytics to develop targeted promotions for their customers. By providing these tools, ZAP Group enables businesses to enhance customer engagement and drive sales through effective loyalty strategies.

Snapcart

Series A in 2017
Snapcart is a cashback app that incentivizes consumers to take photos of their receipts in exchange for rewards. The insight it compiled and offered to brands and retailers, providing a more accurate measurement of consumer behavior than many existing research methods. The company is based in Indonesia and backed by Ardent Capital.

SwipeRx

Series A in 2017
SwipeRx is a digital platform designed to enhance the operations of pharmacies by connecting pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacies, and patients. It offers a range of services, including specialized healthcare logistics, negotiated pricing, and financing solutions, creating a robust network for pharmacy purchasing. The platform generates insights that facilitate collaboration with pharmacies, improve pharmacist education, and strengthen market access. Additionally, it optimizes commercial strategies and enhances daily operational efficiencies. By providing real-time access to patient and sell-out data, SwipeRx enables its clients to improve patient affordability, access, and adherence to medications.

ZipMatch

Venture Round in 2016
ZipMatch is an online marketplace that provides real estate services to buyers, brokers, and developers in the Philippines. It addresses the challenges within the local real estate industry, which often involve lengthy and complex processes. ZipMatch serves as a property matchmaker, facilitating connections between home buyers and brokers while simplifying the search for suitable properties. The platform features interactive visual content, including virtual property tours, floor plans, and property reviews, enhancing the user experience and allowing buyers to make informed decisions. By streamlining the real estate process, ZipMatch aims to improve the overall efficiency of property transactions in the region.

Squadzip

Seed Round in 2015
Squadzip is a mobile-first SaaS solution designed to enhance sales and operations for businesses. The platform combines the user-friendly experience of social media applications with the functionality of a robust enterprise tool. It enables organizations to locate, monitor, and collaborate with their frontliners in real-time, while also facilitating the collection and management of customer intelligence without cumbersome forms. Additionally, Squadzip streamlines the management of sales funnels and project pipelines, offering on-demand dashboards and analytics that empower decision-makers. Its implementation is straightforward, minimizing the need for extensive training typically associated with enterprise solutions.

Lifetrack Medical Systems

Seed Round in 2015
Lifetrack Medical Systems is a health-tech company that’s developed and deployed the first scalable, distributed medical imaging software designed for affordable access in emerging markets. Our LifeSys™ platform is used by large healthcare chains, public health systems, and radiology group practices to scale their radiology operations seamlessly, without the pain or cost of legacy medical imaging software. Our mission is to build simple, elegant, powerful, and intuitive software platforms for the entire healthcare ecosystem, starting in medical imaging in emerging markets, where the needs are greatest and the resources are scarcest. We are trusted and backed by the Asia Impact Investment Fund of the UOB Group and Credit Suisse, the corporate VC arm of Philips Healthcare, and Kickstart Ventures of the Philippines’ Ayala Group. Lifetrack Medical Systems has customers in the United States, Philippines, Indonesia, India, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, UK, and Nigeria. Lifetrack holds two patents from the United States Patent Office, and secured US FDA 510(k) approval, CE Mark registration, and ANVISA registration for the LifeSys™ RIS/PACS.

Loansolutions.ph

Seed Round in 2015
LoanSolutions.ph is the largest network of lenders in the Philippines. It facilitates fast and easy access to credit for different financial needs by connecting borrowers to multiple lending partners in single online loan application. Their story began as an answer to their own problem that they know is your problem too. They were frustrated by the traditional lending industry in the Philippines. They decided to launch LoanSolutions.PH as an answer to this problem. Their goal is to empower consumers like you to make the best financial decisions and get the best lending rates available in the market. They developed a process where lenders compete against each other in a fair and open marketplace transparently. Through this process, lenders are able to target the borrowers they want to reach in real-time. It’s a win-win idea where you win and get more access to capital to improve their financial situations. Whether it is buying a new home, financing a new car, sending a child to college, financing your medical bills, LoanSolutions.PH is here to help you! Together, they strive to be an ally for borrowers and lenders alike. They’re here to do the heavy lifting for you if you’re looking to compare and optimize your loan choices- and hey, they’ll lift for you without a price.

Cogito

Seed Round in 2015
Cogito is an IT firm that offers graph-based analytics software and services to its clients. Cogito’s range of services consist of graph technology, graph engine, workbench, graph server, data integration broker, graph query language, and graph analytics. Cogito was founded in 1994 by Paolo Lombardi and is based in Utah.

Kalibrr

Venture Round in 2015
Kalibrr, Inc. is a recruitment platform based in Makati City, Philippines, that offers online job listing and recruitment services tailored for both job seekers and employers. Founded in 2012 by Paul Rivera and Dexter Ligot-Gordon, Kalibrr provides a comprehensive range of job search services across various sectors, including accounting, IT, healthcare, and more, catering to different experience levels from internships to executive positions. The platform leverages advanced technology and artificial intelligence to enhance the hiring process, enabling employers to efficiently build strong relationships with candidates. Kalibrr has attracted significant investment from prominent Silicon Valley incubators and local investors, positioning itself as a key player in the recruitment industry in the Philippines.

Lineagen

Series C in 2015
Lineagen, Inc. is a genetics diagnostic company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, that specializes in genetic testing and clinical information services for neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Founded in 2002, Lineagen offers several key products, including FirstStepDx PLUS, a chromosomal microarray platform designed to identify genomic changes associated with autism, and NextStepDx PLUS, a genetic sequencing test that detects small genomic alterations. Additionally, the company provides M-CHAT.org, an online tool for developmental screening. Lineagen aims to improve outcomes for individuals affected by complex diseases through early diagnosis and intervention, leveraging extensive proprietary research and access to the Utah Population Database to enhance its understanding of genetic contributions to these conditions. As of August 2020, Lineagen operates as a subsidiary of Bionano Genomics, Inc.

SwipeRx

Seed Round in 2014
SwipeRx is a digital platform designed to enhance the operations of pharmacies by connecting pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacies, and patients. It offers a range of services, including specialized healthcare logistics, negotiated pricing, and financing solutions, creating a robust network for pharmacy purchasing. The platform generates insights that facilitate collaboration with pharmacies, improve pharmacist education, and strengthen market access. Additionally, it optimizes commercial strategies and enhances daily operational efficiencies. By providing real-time access to patient and sell-out data, SwipeRx enables its clients to improve patient affordability, access, and adherence to medications.

Four Eyes

Seed Round in 2014
Four Eyes is an online optical retailer that provides quality eyewear at affordable prices to Filipino consumers. The company offers a wide range of products, including prescription glasses, sunglasses, and computer glasses. Customers can utilize the Home Try-On feature to test a selection of frames at home or use the Virtual Try-On feature on the website to see how the glasses will look before making a purchase. Four Eyes manages its entire supply chain, from assembly to delivery, ensuring a seamless experience for its customers.

ZAP Group

Venture Round in 2014
ZAP Group, Inc., founded in 2012 and based in Pasig, Philippines, specializes in loyalty programs for businesses. The company has assisted over 800 merchants in creating customized loyalty solutions, offering both card and mobile-based options. Merchants can tailor the mechanics of their programs, build a member database, and leverage data analytics to develop targeted promotions for their customers. By providing these tools, ZAP Group enables businesses to enhance customer engagement and drive sales through effective loyalty strategies.

Kalibrr

Seed Round in 2013
Kalibrr, Inc. is a recruitment platform based in Makati City, Philippines, that offers online job listing and recruitment services tailored for both job seekers and employers. Founded in 2012 by Paul Rivera and Dexter Ligot-Gordon, Kalibrr provides a comprehensive range of job search services across various sectors, including accounting, IT, healthcare, and more, catering to different experience levels from internships to executive positions. The platform leverages advanced technology and artificial intelligence to enhance the hiring process, enabling employers to efficiently build strong relationships with candidates. Kalibrr has attracted significant investment from prominent Silicon Valley incubators and local investors, positioning itself as a key player in the recruitment industry in the Philippines.

Lenddo

Venture Round in 2013
Lenddo is the world's first online community that empowers the emerging middle class to use online social connections to demonstrate their creditworthiness and access affordable, life-improving financial services.

GiftLauncher

Seed Round in 2013
GiftLauncher is an online platform that enables its users to create gift campaigns. The platform enables its users to create a group fund for gifting their friends and family. They can then share the campaign on social media. Furthermore, users are able to create gift registries to fund multiple gifts for events. Once the gift fund is completed, they can collect the money through a bank or PayPal.

Lifebit

Seed Round in 2012
Lifebit is a game design to help you live life better. We built this platform because we found it strange that we had no tool that focuses on helping us find happiness in our lives. Lifebit offers a social, fun and evolving collection of bucket lists that encourages a player to get bitten with life and level up their passions and make new experiences! Each new quests requires you to do something that earns you xp points. These points highlights your life to the world as well as let you become a level 20 Foodie, level 15 Runner, Level 10 Chef, Level 8 Merchant and more!

ZAP Group

Seed Round in 2012
ZAP Group, Inc., founded in 2012 and based in Pasig, Philippines, specializes in loyalty programs for businesses. The company has assisted over 800 merchants in creating customized loyalty solutions, offering both card and mobile-based options. Merchants can tailor the mechanics of their programs, build a member database, and leverage data analytics to develop targeted promotions for their customers. By providing these tools, ZAP Group enables businesses to enhance customer engagement and drive sales through effective loyalty strategies.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.