Kairos HQ
 | This article reads like a press release or a news article and may be largely based on routine coverage. (March 2019) |
| Formerly | Kairos Society |
|---|---|
| Company type | Private |
| Industry | |
| Founded | 2008 (as Kairos Society) |
| Founder | Ankur Jain |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | Ankur Jain and Alex Fiance (Co-CEOs) |
| Website | kairoshq |
Kairos is a U.S.–based private company that builds startups that are focused on affordability of everyday services via a US$25 million venture capital fund.[1][2][3] These services specifically address problems experienced by five different demographic groups: graduates with student loans, home buyers and city-dwellers struggling to afford housing payments; parents with high living and childcare costs; unemployed workers in need of job training; and retirees managing healthcare costs.[4][5]
Kairos is headquartered in New York[6] and was co-founded as the Kairos Society in 2008 by Ankur Jain,[2][4][7] The Kairos Society began as a startup incubator at Wharton Business School,[5] where Jain studied. It grew to include multiple chapters in colleges and universities around the world.[2] Jain and Alex Fiance are the co-CEOs.[5][8]
Activities
Kairos has invested in a number of startups that meet their demographic focus, including Little Spoon, an organic baby food manufacturer and delivery service.[7] The company also invested in Cera, an elderly care startup based in the UK.[4][7] Additional investments range from Abaris, a private-sector alternative to Social Security; Me Salva, an online education portal based in Brazil; Mi Aguila, a transportation network from Colombia; and Rhino, an affordable alternative to security deposits for renters.[9]
Kairos network
Kairos has a "global startup network" with a community of more than 1,000 members, the majority of whom are under the age of 30[5][7] and who span more than 50 countries.[9][10] The group's members have raised more than $6.5 billion in funding for their respective companies.[5] Companies founded by Kairos members include Periscope, Casper, FiscalNote, and Digital Genius.[9]
Each year, Kairos selects "Kairos Fellows" from entrepreneurs under the age of 26 who are nominated by peers or Kairos alumni. Fellows are then chosen by a committee made up of investors and industry leaders.[2]
Kairos 50 is a program made up of 50 company founders who began their businesses before the age of 30.[2] Members are chosen based on their company’s impact within mainstream industries outside of Silicon Valley.[2]
The Kairos Global Summit is an annual event [7] to introduce entrepreneurs to established business owners.[11]
References
- ^ Lien, Tracey (2017-11-16). "Forget $700 juicers — this venture fund wants to help solve middle-class problems". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
- ^ a b c d e f Hempel, Jessi (2017-06-28). "The Master Networker Will Connect You Now | Backchannel". WIRED. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
- ^ Lopez, Linette (2017-11-16). "Silicon Valley has turned into the place it hates the most". Business Insider. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
- ^ a b c Tepper, Fitz (2017-11-16). "Kairos' $25M venture fund will invest in ideas that help the middle class". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
- ^ a b c d e Pilon, Mary (2018-08-23). "This Company Finds Tough Problems In the World, Then Launches Startups to Solve Them". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
- ^ Heller, Nathan (2018-09-13). "The Startup Whiz Trying to Make Big Business out of Social Philanthropy". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
- ^ a b c d e Henry, Zoë (2017-11-16). "Kairos Commits $25 Million to Startups Addressing 'Real Problems'". Inc.com. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
- ^ Robehmed, Natalie (2012-06-14). "The Kairos Society: Turning Dreams Into Businesses". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
- ^ a b c Ioannou, Lori (2017-04-21). "These student entrepreneurs have raised billions in a quest to change the world". CNBC. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
- ^ Lopez, Linette (2017-04-29). "Inside young Silicon Valley's elite meeting about the soul of the entire global economy". Business Insider. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
- ^ Bell, Karissa. "The Kairos Society is a stealthy club looking for future moguls". Mashable. Retrieved 2018-11-29.