Village Global

Village Global is an early-stage venture capital firm and accelerator founded in 2017, based in Covina, California. The firm is backed by prominent entrepreneurs like Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Reid Hoffman, and Mark Zuckerberg. It focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage investments, offering connected capital and support to startups across industries and geographies.

Village Global invests between $250,000 and $2 million in early-stage companies. The firm participates in funding rounds, including pre-revenue stages, and is open to working with startups worldwide. It also offers a pre-seed programme called "Velocity," which includes an AI track designed to help startups accelerate their growth.

Village Global also provides access to an advanced network of over 400 founders, operator angels, and luminary limited partners (LPs) from major tech companies. The firm supports startups with expert guidance in hiring, securing first customers, and raising follow-on funding from top-tier investors. Village Global also organises various events, such as multi-day founder retreats and masterclasses with renowned CEOs, aimed at promoting learning and networking within the community. These events help founders connect, share knowledge, and gain valuable insights.

Village Global has made 351 investments, including 86 diversity investments, and has seen 17 exits. Notable exits include companies like Hype and AllStripes. The firm has raised $225 million across two funds, with the latest being Village Global Fund II, announced in 2021.

Village Global also runs a podcast series featuring interviews with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors. The podcast covers topics like venture capital, entrepreneurship, and innovation, providing listeners with valuable insights from experts in the field. It is available on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and.

One of Village Global's key differentiators is its focus on helping founders from the earliest stages, often before they have traction or revenue, with a strong emphasis on building relationships and networks that can help startups grow and succeed in the competitive tech industry.

Village Global was founded in 2017 with a focus on early-stage venture capital investments. The firm was created by a group of prominent entrepreneurs and investors, including Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn; Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon; Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft; and Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Meta. The goal was to support early-stage startups through connected capital and a strong network of experienced founders and industry leaders. The firm aimed to help new companies grow by providing funding, mentorship, and access to a vast network of influential partners.

Since its inception, Village Global has positioned itself as a unique venture capital firm, with a primary focus on pre-seed and seed-stage investments. Unlike traditional firms, Village Global has adopted a network-based model, offering not only capital but also support through its extensive network of over 400 operator angels, founders, and limited partners (LPs) from some of the most successful tech companies globally. This network is dedicated to assisting startups in various areas, including hiring employees, securing early customers, and raising additional funding.

In its early years, Village Global raised its first fund, Village Global Fund I, which closed at $100 million. This fund allowed the firm to make its first batch of investments in startups across various sectors and geographies. The firm’s approach was global from the beginning, investing not just in companies based in Silicon Valley but in startups from different parts of the world.

As the firm grew, it launched a dedicated pre-seed programme called "Velocity" in 2020. This programme included an AI track aimed at helping startups in the artificial intelligence space accelerate their development. The "Velocity" programme allowed Village Global to expand its reach and support even earlier-stage companies, helping them move faster from idea to execution.

In 2021, Village Global raised its second fund, Village Global Fund II, which closed at $125 million. This brought the firm's total assets under management to $225 million. Fund II enabled the firm to continue its focus on early-stage investments while expanding its network and offering more resources to founders. By this time, Village Global had made significant progress in supporting its portfolio companies, helping them raise follow-on funding and connecting them with key industry figures through its network.

Village Global has also hosted a series of notable events aimed at promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing among entrepreneurs. These events include multi-day founder retreats, where entrepreneurs can step away from their daily operations to connect with peers and industry leaders. The firm also organises masterclasses, where successful CEOs and operators share their experiences on topics like scaling companies, fundraising, and building strong teams.

Village Global has made 351 investments to date, including 86 diversity investments, focusing on backing underrepresented founders. The firm has seen 17 exits, including companies like Hype and AllStripes. Its portfolio spans various industries, including AI, fintech, healthcare, and logistics. Notable companies in its portfolio include Addi, a credit and banking solution for Latin America, and Spring Discovery, which is focused on accelerating therapies for ageing and its associated diseases.

Village Global launched a podcast series to share insights from its network of entrepreneurs and investors. The podcast covers a wide range of topics related to entrepreneurship, venture capital, and innovation. It is available on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and SoundCloud.

As of 2024, Village Global continues to be an active player in the early-stage venture capital space. It remains committed to supporting founders from the earliest stages, often investing in companies before they have generated revenue or traction. The firm’s network-based model, combined with its focus on providing connected capital, has helped it build a reputation as a valuable partner for startups looking to grow and succeed in the competitive tech landscape.

Village Global's current status includes ongoing investments, active management of its portfolio companies, and continued hosting of events and retreats that connect founders with experienced leaders in the tech industry. The firm remains focused on supporting innovation across various sectors, with an eye on emerging trends and technologies.

Village Global’s investment criteria focus on supporting early-stage startups, particularly at the pre-seed and seed stages. The firm is open to investing in companies from all over the world and across different sectors, aiming to back visionary founders with innovative ideas. Below are the key points that define Village Global’s investment criteria:

• Stage of Investment – Village Global primarily invests in pre-seed and seed-stage startups. The firm is comfortable with investing in companies even at the idea stage before they have generated any revenue or traction. It focuses on helping founders build their companies from the ground up, providing both funding and mentorship early in the process.
• Investment Size – Village Global typically invests between $250,000 and $2 million in early-stage companies. The size of the investment depends on the company’s specific needs and the stage it is at. The firm is flexible in leading or participating in funding rounds, depending on the round dynamics.
• Global Focus – Village Global invests in startups from around the world, with no restrictions based on location. The firm actively seeks out opportunities in different regions and markets, supporting founders in various geographies, not limited to Silicon Valley or the United States.
• Sectors – Village Global is sector-agnostic, meaning it invests across a wide range of industries. The firm has backed companies in sectors such as artificial intelligence, fintech, healthcare, logistics, and consumer technology. This allows it to support a broad spectrum of innovation and business models.
• Founder Qualities – Village Global looks for founders who demonstrate vision, resilience, and a strong product or technical focus. The firm values founders who can recruit and build strong teams, who are passionate about solving important problems, and who show grit in facing the challenges of starting and scaling a business.
• Pre-seed Programme (Velocity) – Village Global runs a pre-seed programme called "Velocity," which is designed to help startups accelerate their growth. The programme includes an AI track and provides startups with early support, often before they have raised any external funding.
• Network-Based Model – In addition to capital, Village Global provides startups with access to its network of over 400 founders, operator angels, and luminary limited partners (LPs). This network offers support in areas like hiring, securing first customers, and raising follow-on funding from top-tier venture capital firms.
• Support Beyond Capital – Village Global offers more than just financial backing. The firm actively supports startups through introductions to customers, partners, and investors. It also guides product development, scaling, and strategic decision-making, helping founders navigate the early stages of building a successful business.

Village Global offers more than just capital to the startups it supports. The firm provides a comprehensive range of resources designed to help founders succeed at every stage of their journey. Village Global’s value lies in its unique approach, focusing on building strong networks and offering expert guidance alongside funding. Below are the key values that Village Global brings to its portfolio companies:

• Connected Capital – Village Global offers financial investment along with access to a network of experienced founders, operators, and luminary investors. This connected capital approach ensures that founders are not just given funds but also valuable connections that can help them succeed.
• Founder Community – Startups joining Village Global gain access to a community of over 400 founders who are working through similar challenges. This community offers a support system where founders can share knowledge, ask for advice, and learn from each other’s experiences.
• Expert Guidance – Village Global connects founders with industry experts and experienced leaders who offer advice on critical business areas such as hiring, product development, and scaling. These experts help founders avoid common pitfalls and guide them through the complexities of building a company.
• Events and Masterclasses – The firm organises events and masterclasses where founders can learn from successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders. These events are designed to foster knowledge-sharing and networking, giving founders valuable insights and strategic advice.
• Fundraising Support – Village Global helps startups raise follow-on funding by providing introductions to top-tier venture capital firms and other investors. The firm also offers feedback on pitching and helps founders refine their fundraising strategies to maximise success.
• Pre-seed Programme (Velocity) – For earlier-stage companies, Village Global offers the "Velocity" programme, which includes an AI track. This programme helps startups move quickly from idea to execution, providing tailored support to accelerate their growth.
• Global Reach – Village Global invests in startups across different geographies, not just in Silicon Valley or the United States. The firm’s global approach allows it to support a diverse range of founders and innovations from around the world.
• Network-Based Model – The firm’s network-driven approach is one of its core values. Startups benefit from introductions to key industry players, potential partners, customers, and future investors, making it easier for them to grow and scale their businesses.
• Long-Term Partnership – Village Global is committed to forming long-term partnerships with the companies it invests in. The firm stays involved beyond the initial investment, providing continuous support as the startup grows and navigates different challenges.

Village Global’s mission is to empower early-stage founders by providing connected capital, expert guidance, and access to an advanced network of industry leaders. The firm is dedicated to helping startups scale from idea to execution by offering the right resources at critical moments. Village Global’s network-based approach ensures that founders not only receive financial backing but also mentorship and support in hiring, customer acquisition, and fundraising. By investing in a diverse range of industries and geographies, Village Global aims to foster innovation and help founders build impactful companies that shape the future.

Village Global has built a diverse portfolio of early-stage companies across various sectors, ranging from artificial intelligence and healthcare to fintech and logistics. These companies are working on innovative solutions that address challenges in their respective industries. Below is a list of some of the companies in Village Global’s portfolio, along with brief descriptions of their work:

• Addi – A fintech company providing credit and banking solutions to consumers in Latin America, helping them purchase goods they otherwise couldn’t afford.
• Spring Discovery – Focuses on accelerating the development of therapies for aging and related diseases through innovative research and technology.
• Metaview – An AI-powered platform that helps businesses make better hiring decisions by analysing interview data to improve recruitment processes.
• Airbase – A comprehensive solution for corporate spend management, helping businesses track and manage their expenses more efficiently.
• Colabra – A collaborative platform designed to streamline workflows and enhance project management, specifically for research and scientific teams.
• VeriSIM Life – A biotech company using machine learning to simulate drug testing, aiming to make the drug discovery process faster and more reliable.
• Enveda Therapeutics – Uses machine learning and natural product data to discover new drugs, focusing on creating treatments for diseases that currently lack effective solutions.
• Ossium Health – Works on stem cell science to improve treatments for blood and immune diseases, aiming to enhance the availability of life-saving transplants.
• LightBeam.ai – A platform that helps companies automate privacy controls using artificial intelligence to ensure better compliance with data protection regulations.
• Flexpa – Focuses on providing startups with access to patient health data, simplifying healthcare applications and processes.
• Promise – A modern payment platform that helps citizens pay down government debt more efficiently, allowing for faster, easier transactions.
• Living Carbon – A plant biotechnology company working on environmental solutions aimed at reducing carbon emissions through enhanced tree growth.
• Chingari – A video-sharing mobile app that provides a platform for users in India to create, share, and consume short-form videos.
• Honest Bank – A fintech startup building the future of finance for Asia by offering transparent and accessible banking services to underbanked communities.
• Berry Street – Provides virtual nutrition therapy covered by insurance, making professional nutrition advice more accessible to people in need.
• Sanas – Develops real-time accent translation technology to improve communication for global teams and customer service agents.
• Stitch – A platform that provides a unified integration for all online payments, streamlining the payment process for businesses.
• Saltbox – Offers co-warehousing and turnkey services that help businesses grow faster by providing flexible warehouse space and logistics support.