Globe Telecom co Kickstart Ventures to manage $150 mn VC fund

Kickstart Ventures, a subsidiary of Globe Telecom, will manage Ayala Corporation’s $150 million venture capital fund to support start-ups.
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The VC investments will be in innovations in technology areas such as data and analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, automation, real estate, retail, transport, energy, water, health and wellness, and food.

Ayala Corporation Technology Innovation Venture (ACTIVE) Fund is looking at a range of investments in Series A to Series C or early- to mid-growth stage across four key investment themes.

Kickstart, as sole manager of ACTIVE Fund, is responsible for seeking companies that offer innovative, scalable, sustainable solutions, said Minette Navarrete, president of Kickstart that was launched in 2012.

Kickstart has so far made 39 investments in digital companies, supporting 83 founders across the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, United States, Canada, and Israel. ACTIVE Fund will be its third and largest fund to-date.

Kickstart investments include Toronto-based startup Wattpad, Singapore’s Mediacorp, and the Philippines’ Anvil Publishing; Indonesia’s C88; and the Philippines’ Coins.ph.