Wasabi Ventures

Wasabi Ventures operates a startup studio that originates companies internally — matching operators with market gaps — and a conventional venture capital fund that invests in both studio-created and external startups. The studio provides founding equity, product development, and operating resources; the fund then leads or co-leads seed and Series A rounds in the most promising studio graduates and select outside deals. This dual-engine structure means the firm has preferential access to founding stakes and higher average ownership than pure-play seed stage investors.

Co-founders Tom Kinnear and Chris Yeh are the primary decision-makers on fund allocations and studio company launches, operating as Managing Partner and Partner respectively. Kinnear handles day-to-day firm management and investment committee leadership, while Yeh contributes to venture strategy and studio direction. The firm has historically supplemented its partnership with venture partners and executives-in-residence for specific sector coverage.

The firm focuses on formation, seed, and Series A deals, concentrating its studio and fund activity on enterprise software, AI/ML, digital health, cybersecurity, and media technology. Wasabi Ventures has a demonstrated track record of building marketplace and SaaS companies from concept through growth-stage, including past exits like OrderUp (acquired by Groupon). Its early-stage posture means the typical check size ranges from founding capital through Series A participation.

Yes. Wasabi Ventures syndicates rounds with external venture capital firms for both studio-originated and externally sourced deals. The firm typically builds the initial company internally and then brings in co-investors for seed and Series A rounds, creating a syndicate that includes other early-stage venture investors. This co-investment approach allows the firm to validate its studio thesis with market participants while scaling portfolio company capital access.

Wasabi Ventures generates a significant portion of its deal flow through its startup studio, which creates companies internally rather than sourcing them from pitch meetings or inbound referrals. This manufacturing model allows the firm to select founding teams, set initial business plans, and control product roadmaps from day zero, giving it deal access that passive allocators cannot replicate. The studio engine reduces reliance on proprietary network-based sourcing common to most seed-stage firms.

Wasabi Ventures has not publicly disclosed its assets under management or current team headcount. The firm has indicated backing over 200 companies since its 2003 founding, with a distributed operator team supplementing its core partnership. Its headquarters is in Palo Alto, California, with venture partners and operating executives located across the United States.