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Key people at Kindred Capital VC.
Kindred Capital operates a distinctive "equitable venture" model, making every founder receiving investment a co-owner of the fund. This structure deepens alignment between the firm and its portfolio companies, transforming traditional investor-founder relationships into true partnerships. It fosters shared success and collective participation within a collaborative ecosystem, invested in broader achievements.
Established in London in 2015 by Leila Zegna and partners, Kindred Capital’s unique philosophy stemmed from Zegna's entrepreneurial background. Her insight into true partnership inspired a venture firm where mutual interest and shared ownership are fundamental to its strategy, setting it apart in early-stage funding.
Kindred Capital supports early-stage technology founders across Europe. Its vision redefines venture capital by cultivating a community where entrepreneurs actively participate in the fund’s prosperity, beyond capital. This strategy drives innovation and creates enduring value through profound alignment and collective ambition.
Key people at Kindred Capital VC.
Kindred Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm that operates with a unique mission to create a more equitable venture capital model by making every founder they back a co-owner of the fund. They focus on investing in mission-driven pre-seed and seed-stage startups led by exceptional founders who are outliers, optimists, and operators aiming to build the future through technology and science. Their investment philosophy emphasizes transparency, speed, and founder-centric support, moving at an entrepreneur’s pace with a partner-only decision-making team. Kindred invests across a broad range of sectors including marketplaces, SaaS, decentralized networks, consumer services, artificial intelligence, climate tech, fintech, health & wellness, robotics, and more, reflecting a sector-agnostic but theme-driven approach. Their impact on the startup ecosystem is significant, fostering a collaborative community and providing founders with deep networks and operational support to accelerate growth and innovation[1][2][4][7].
Kindred Capital was founded in 2014 by Steve Jang and Kanyi Maqubela, who brought complementary backgrounds as early-stage investors and operators. Steve Jang had been investing personally since 2009 and was an early investor in companies like Uber and Coinbase, while Kanyi Maqubela is known for his thoughtful approach to innovation and democratizing access in venture capital. The firm evolved from Steve’s initial personal investments into a formal venture fund launched in 2019 with backing from notable LPs including Foundry Group. Their origin story is rooted in a desire to build the kind of venture firm they wished existed when they were founders themselves, focusing on founder needs and equitable partnerships from the start[1][2][4].
Kindred Capital rides the wave of democratizing venture capital and founder empowerment, addressing historical inequities in startup funding by sharing ownership with founders. Their timing is critical as early-stage tech innovation accelerates globally, with new sectors like AI, decentralized networks, and climate tech gaining momentum. Market forces favor firms that can move quickly, provide deep operational support, and foster inclusive communities, all of which Kindred exemplifies. By backing visionary founders early and supporting them with a strong network, Kindred influences the broader ecosystem by helping shape the next generation of transformative technology companies and promoting a more equitable venture capital industry[1][2][4][5].
Looking ahead, Kindred Capital is poised to deepen its impact by continuing to invest in frontier technologies and expanding its founder co-ownership model, potentially influencing how venture capital operates industry-wide. Trends such as AI, climate tech, and decentralized systems will likely shape their portfolio and investment themes. Their emphasis on equitable venture and founder empowerment positions them well to attract diverse, high-potential founders and LPs interested in innovative, inclusive investment models. As the startup ecosystem evolves, Kindred’s approach may become a blueprint for more collaborative and founder-aligned venture capital practices, reinforcing their role as a pioneering early-stage investor[1][2][4][5].
