Kicker Ventures

Kicker Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California, that focuses on early-stage investments within the healthcare sector. Founded by Masashi Kiyomine in 2021, the firm backs startups from pre-seed to Series A stages, typically writing checks ranging from $100K to $1M. Kicker Ventures is dedicated to supporting companies developing innovative, tech-driven solutions that can significantly improve patient outcomes and accessibility to healthcare. They invest in areas such as digital health, biotechnology, medical devices, and health services, aiming to support transformative technologies that challenge the status quo and create more equitable healthcare solutions. The firm has built a diverse portfolio, including companies like Anise Health, which focuses on culturally responsive mental health services, and Ruby Bio, a biotechnology company. Kicker Ventures is not only an investor but also a strategic partner, offering programs like Kicker AccelFit, an accelerator designed to help Japanese life sciences and MedTech companies expand into the U.S. market by providing insights into regulatory landscapes and market strategies. Kicker Ventures operates globally, leveraging a network of experts, including advisors with backgrounds in finance, medical practice, and product development, to assist their portfolio companies. They seek startups that are driven by a vision to disrupt traditional healthcare with advanced technologies, including AI and data science, ensuring that healthcare becomes more advanced, personalized, and accessible.