Kickstart Ventures, a corporate venture capital (CVC) firm, is calling on Philippine startups to strengthen their governance practices to build investor confidence and ensure sustainable growth, especially as funding conditions remain challenging.
“Good governance is a key indicator of stability, especially in a climate where investors are more cautious,” said Jecky Pelaez, partner for Legal and Compliance at Kickstart Ventures. “Startups that embrace good governance are better positioned to build trust, attract funding, and scale sustainably.”
Pelaez also stressed that governance is more than just following rules.
Kickstart Ventures applies thorough due diligence before investing. This process involves reviewing documentation, verifying corporate registrations, and assessing revenue forecasts. After investing, the firm stays involved through strategic oversight, taking either board or observer seats to help guide decision-making and track performance through regular reviews.
For startups in regulated industries, Kickstart Ventures also ensures they meet licensing, ownership, and capital requirements. Alongside formal checks, the firm values strong human relations, aiming to build trust between investors, founders, and management teams.
“We speak with founders, teams, investors, and clients to get a full, unfiltered view of how the business operates and whether it’s built for sustainable growth,” Pelaez said.
The call for better governance comes as the Philippine economy posted 5.6% GDP growth in 2024, driven by higher retail spending and a growing middle class. Kickstart Ventures believes that sound governance can further boost investor confidence and unlock more growth opportunities for local startups.
Kickstart Ventures’ message is clear: founders should put transparency and accountability at the center of their operations, while venture capital firms should act as active partners, providing capital, strategic guidance, and oversight to help startups grow sustainably.