Keiretsu Forum is a global investment community of more than 850 private equity/ angel investors, venture capitalists and corporate/institutional investors. We operate as a series of discrete locations worldwide, yet benefit from our international reach. Founded in late 2000 in San Francisco, Keiretsu members have today invested more than $280 million in 245 companies.
Why Keiretsu Forum? What Do We Offer?
Our structured process supports your investment decision-making. Specifically, we:
- screen a large number of candidates (usually 30+) before each meeting in order to select the best companies to show our members. We utilize industry experts within the global Keiretsu network for company sourcing and evaluation.
- coordinate a rigorous due diligence process for investors interested in a given company in order to identify risks, negotiate valuation and optimize funding parameters.
- contribute free coaching and education to entrepreneurs in order to support development of their projects.
Our extensive international network of capital, resources and deal flow creates unique investment choices for you. Specifically, we:
- select top companies from local sources as well as our global network. Members can invest in key deals with other Keiretsu members worldwide.
- assist non-US companies looking to enter the US market, thereby increasing the potential for a high return on investment.
Our diversity of investment opportunities means you’ll find companies that match your interests. Specifically, we:
- present the best opportunities regardless of industry (technology, life sciences, mobile, consumer products, clean tech, real estate, etc.)
- identify high potential candidates from early stage to post-revenue, depending upon member preferences.
Our select membership (by invitation only) provides key local contacts and enables you to participate in member events anywhere in the world. Specifically, we:
- offer a rich array of seminars, educational opportunities, and social events targeted towards members.
- provide unique personal networking opportunities, including high level international business introductions.
Our collaboration with other angel groups, investment forums, universities, and select corporations globally help you connect with experts worldwide. Specifically, we:
- maintain close associations with numerous top universities in several countries, as well as international working relationships with innovative companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Reed Smith, and Google.
About Us
Keiretsu is a Japanese term (although the company is American) and describes a group of affiliated organizations acting in such a way as to benefit the whole. At Keiretsu Forum this means:
- Members support high potential start-ups by supplying funds as well as knowledge and contacts
- Entrepreneurs benefit from exposure to active investors, as well as free training and coaching
- Corporate sponsors provide services and educational programs in support of members and entrepreneurs
- Universities, incubators and other associations provide deal flow and interactive opportunities for members and entrepreneurs
Membership in Keiretsu Forum is by invitation only. It is extended to parties who share a common vision and will actively contribute to the development of start-up companies in their local markets and internationally.
Members typically provide early-stage capital to companies looking in the range of £150K-1.5MM. Keiretsu Forum is not a fund and does not invest as a LLC.
A hallmark of Keiretsu Forum is a rigorous process for evaluating investment opportunities. This includes the following steps:
- standardized application process for entrepreneurs
- formal deal screening and evaluation of applicants, with coaching for candidates
- selected company presentations to investors (usually 3-4 per meeting)
- due diligence and follow-up
- term sheet development (including negotiation of valuation).
- Members participate and collaborate on all aspects of the process, but make individual investment decisions.
Keiretsu Forum has 13 locations in the United States, 7 off shore, and is expanding:
- Northern California (San Francisco, East Bay, Silicon Valley, North Bay)
- Southern California (Westlake Village, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County)
- Northwest (Seattle, Bellevue, Portland, Boise)
- New York/ Tri-State
- London, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid
- Beijing, Singapore, Shanghai