Helping Exceptional Founders shape the future.
Makai (Mah-kigh):
Towards the ocean
On the Hawaiian Islands, Makai is a key directional word meaning ‘outward’ or ‘toward the ocean’. Makai VC looks outward, ‘toward the ocean’, scanning the distant horizon for opportunities to create the businesses that will fundamentally change the way we live.
We help create and build the next generation of successful companies by bringing together great ideas, exceptional talent, and appropriate funding, allowing these businesses to quickly focus and capitalize on emerging trends.
We Invest In...
Life Changing Potential – We invest in companies that have the potential to fundamentally change the way we live and how we do things
Massive Markets with Attainable Targets – Like any investor, we look for products and services in markets that have massive upside opportunity to allow for maximum growth.
Strong Founders / Management – At Makai VC, we believe that the team behind the company is in many ways more important to building a successful business than the product or service itself – so we look for a strong team that is prepared to navigate the challenges of building amazing new companies.
Simple Value Proposition – We look for companies that simplify things so that their target customers and investors alike can quickly understand the value they offer.
Great Brand Values – We believe that a company’s brand can make or break their success. This is why we look to invest in companies that are creating a brand identity that separates them from their competition and helps to effectively tell their story.
New Markets – We are always on the lookout for the next big thing and, when we find new ideas, our team conducts thorough research into the market space to assess the potential to create and scale a massive winner.
Our Value Add
At Makai VC, we do more than provide capital — we accelerate growth by leveraging our team and resources to help companies succeed. We understand that raising capital is often easier than effectively deploying it. That’s where we come in. Our hands-on approach equips our portfolio companies with the tools, expertise, and manpower they need to scale efficiently and successfully. From day one, we focus on solving challenges and unlocking opportunities, ensuring your business can grow faster and smarter.
Beyond Capital:
- We provide more than funding — we deliver executional support.
- Our team specializes in data infrastructure, design, back-end and front-end development, operations, and business development.
- We work side by side with portfolio companies to accelerate progress and achieve results — FAST.
Idea Creation & Early Support:
- We generate ideas internally, turning them into thriving businesses.
- We partner with entrepreneurs at every stage, from pre-launch concepts to growth-phase companies.
- Offering capital, advice, and resources in areas like design, development, sales, operations, recruiting, and fundraising.
Customer-First Approach:
- We target opportunities that deliver significant value to customers across industries.
- Inspired by the great companies of the last two decades, we believe extraordinary customer value is the ultimate strategy for success.
Obsessive Attention to Detail:
- We focus on the little things that matter — simple functionality, elegant design, and extraordinary value.
- Our obsession with detail transforms complex processes into seamless, intuitive interactions.
At Makai VC, we’re committed to building impactful businesses and empowering entrepreneurs to create lasting value.
450+
Startup investments
Exits
25+ Exits
10+ Public Listings
100MM+
40+ over $100MM+
15+ over $1b+
25+
Years startup experience
Our Deals
We have invested in over 450 deals. Here are just a few…
Our Team
Our team has built companies in hardware, software, e-commerce, online media and Saas, and has invested in over 450 start-ups across a variety of industries.
Our team is made up of serial entrepreneurs, investors and advisors experienced in business strategy, corporate and business development, M&A, sales/marketing and business partnership, finance, legal and technology/product development.
We have spent over 30 years across the tech & media landscape in hardware, software, online media (content, digital advertising, social media) and e-commerce, starting and growing both venture capital financed and organically grown ventures. We have raised material (circa 50MM) syndicated debt deals for growth and acquisitions.
Contact us
- Info@makaivc.com