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Sure Shot Entrepreneur Newsletter

Kicker Ventures, Village Global, Joshu: The Sure Shot Entrepreneur Newsletter

Published 4 months ago • 2 min read

Hello Reader,

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I had a great time chatting with Prof. Claudia Zeisberger from INSEAD on her podcast recently. She asked some really thoughtful questions that got me reflecting on the state of venture capital today, the rise of AI, and why I’m still incredibly optimistic about the startup world. If you're curious, you can check out the episode here: Inside the Mind of a Top Tech Investor from San Francisco.

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On The Sure Shot Entrepreneur this week, I’m joined by my good friend and fellow INSEAD alum, Tomoko Ishikura. She shares how she invests with purpose and why simply believing in founders can be a powerful force for good. It's a conversation full of heart and insight.

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– Gopi Rangan, Host of the The Sure Shot Entrepreneur podcast​

Startup Corner: Joshu

​Joshu has been named to the 2024 InsurTech100 list by FinTech Global, recognizing its role in digitally transforming the insurance industry. The list highlights the top 100 companies globally leveraging technology to improve insurance operations. Joshu's platform enables insurers to quickly build and launch digital insurance products with minimal IT reliance, enhancing speed-to-market and operational efficiency. CEO Roy Mill emphasized the significance of this recognition in an industry challenged by legacy systems and complex regulations. Selected from over 2,100 nominations, Joshu stood out for its innovation and impact. Recent milestones include partnerships with Workforce Insurance Underwriters and the launch of The Century Club, honoring clients who deployed Joshu’s platform in under 100 days.

Podcast Entries: Don’t Suffer to Succeed, A Peaceful Mind Will Take You Further

​My guest in episode 165 is Tomoko Ishikura, Managing Partner at Kicker Ventures. Tomoko shares her journey from a small town in Japan to becoming a venture capitalist in Silicon Valley. Originally trained as a pharmacist and molecular biologist, she found her calling in venture capital through a passion for impact and interdependence.

At Kicker Ventures, she leads investments in science-backed technologies redefining the future of healthcare. Tomoko shares how their diligence process centers on one key question: how will this solution change the future in a meaningful way? She highlights Kicker’s four pillars of impact—fostering happiness, empowering individuals, amplifying health professionals, and creating connection. She explains how empathy and belief in founders fuel her approach to venture capital investing.

Connected Insights:

Intentional, values-driven investing can produce better outcomes

​Anne Dwane was my guest in episode #133. Anne is a Partner at Village Global, and her philosophy of being “wholeheartedly committed and thoroughly convinced” when backing founders aligns with Tomoko’s. While Tomoko focuses on science-backed innovations in healthcare, and Anne supports founders of transformative startups across sectors, both emphasize the human side of investing. Anne advocates for building strong founder communities early and not just capitalizing startups but nurturing them through empathy, trust, and meaningful connections. She views VCs as connectors, collaborators, and long-term supporters—more coach than critic. Intentional, values-driven investing can produce better outcomes for both entrepreneurs and society at large.

Community Involvement: Kadampa Meditation Center SF

In the podcast episode "Don't Suffer to Succeed, A Peaceful Mind Will Take You Further," Tomoko Ishikura, Managing Partner at Kicker Ventures, expresses her support for the non-profit organization Kadampa Meditation Center San Francisco. She is passionate about this center because it aligns with her belief in the importance of mindfulness and inner peace, especially in the high-pressure world of venture capital and entrepreneurship. Tomoko emphasizes that a peaceful mind can lead to better decision-making and sustainable success, reflecting her commitment to empathy and holistic well-being in both her personal life and professional endeavors.

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Sure Shot Entrepreneur Newsletter

Gopi Rangan

Enable Peace of Mind for all. We believe in mission-driven entrepreneurs at the earliest stages before the rest of the world realizes the impact of their visionary ideas. This newsletter pairs well with our podcast that shares all the funders and founders' knowledge to startup and scale your ideas. All the best, Gopi

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