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First Check Ventures
First Check Ventures, founded by Ali Jamal in 2020, writes the first check into early-stage startups across LatAm, South Asia, and Southeast Asia from San...
First Check Ventures
First Check Ventures - Investing in Early Stage Startups Across the Globe
General information
Firm type
Venture Capital
Year founded
2020
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
San Juan
Corporate office
San Juan, United States
Principals
Ali Jamal
Founding Partner
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at First Check Ventures?
Founding Partner Ali Jamal runs investment decisions. He has more than 10 years of product and growth experience at companies including Rappi, PayClip, Agoda, and Zynga, and has completed over 200 angel investments (per the firm's website). No other investment committee members are publicly identified.
How does First Check Ventures source its deals?
The firm sources through Ali Jamal's operator network built at companies like Rappi and PayClip, as well as through the Y Combinator pipeline. The portfolio includes dozens of YC-backed companies from the S19 onward, suggesting repeat participation in YC's demo-day and alumni channels.
Is First Check Ventures a single-family office or a venture firm?
First Check Ventures is structured as an asset manager and operates like a venture firm. It is not a family office. The website describes a network of global business partners and a portfolio of over 70 startups, but does not disclose a fee structure or committed fund vehicle.
What investment stages does First Check Ventures typically target?
The firm targets the very earliest stages — pre-seed and seed rounds. It often serves as the first institutional check. Portfolio companies include numerous Y Combinator graduates at the seed stage, such as Tajir (YC W20), Carupi (YC W20), and Kredi (YC W21).
What is First Check Ventures' geographic focus?
The firm's primary geographies are Latin America and Pakistan. The portfolio includes heavy concentrations in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, as well as a large cluster in Pakistan. It also has positions in India, Vietnam, South Africa, Turkey, and Canada.
Does First Check Ventures operate any philanthropic structures?
There is no public disclosure of a related philanthropic foundation, donor-advised fund, or impact-vehicle. The firm's website and materials focus exclusively on its for-profit venture portfolio.
How large is First Check Ventures' team and where does it operate from?
The firm does not publicly disclose its team size. The only named professional is Founding Partner Ali Jamal. First Check Ventures lists its headquarters in San Juan, United States. No additional office locations are disclosed.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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