David Merry’s passion for creating value and building businesses started long before he realized the full extent of it.
At just 15 years old, he ventured into buying and selling domain names, using the funds he earned from various odd jobs.
This early dive into the world of online business ignited his curiosity and set him on the path to becoming a serial entrepreneur.
By the age of 19, he took a bold step, founding his first company.
He successfully exited that business by the age of 25, gaining invaluable experience in resilience, focus, and the realities of scaling a company.
After a two-year earn-out period, David channeled his entrepreneurial energy into founding Kinetic Investments, where he’s spent the last seven years investing his own capital into startups.
Along the way, he’s made 12 investments, one successful exit, and learned countless lessons that continue to guide his approach to venture capital.
Introducing Kinetic Investments and Its Approach
Kinetic Investments, based in London, UK, focuses on early-stage, AI-driven B2C startups.
These are companies that address significant, real-world challenges with the help of artificial intelligence.
David explained that their core focus lies in the pre-seed and seed stages, and they’re currently in the process of raising their first external fund, which aims to raise $30 million.
What sets Kinetic apart from other venture capital firms is their hands-on approach.
They don’t just write checks—they actively engage with their portfolio companies, offering support in areas like finance, HR, legal, and technology.
David emphasized that many startups face similar early challenges, and by offering a robust infrastructure, Kinetic improves their chances of success.
The firm believes in collaborating closely with founders to build something remarkable and to ensure these startups reach their full potential.
The Firm’s Strategy and Focus Areas
Kinetic Investments specializes in startups that leverage AI to enhance or transform everyday digital experiences.
David highlighted that today’s internet is largely static, with users adapting to the webpages they visit rather than the other way around.
AI offers the potential to flip this dynamic, creating hyper-personalized experiences that revolutionize how consumers interact with the digital world.
He envisions a future where websites and services intuitively adapt to individual users, from booking travel to receiving fitness advice or filing taxes.
Though Kinetic is sector-agnostic, David expressed particular excitement about emerging markets, such as MENA, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
These regions are often underserved by venture capital but are rich with talent and innovation.
Kinetic typically invests between $600,000 and $900,000 at the pre-seed and seed stages, targeting 20 to 30 startups annually.
The firm has established a network of over 100 local venture scouts to tap into the vibrant ecosystems of these emerging markets.
Beyond Capital: Supporting Startups with More Than Just Money
David stressed that Kinetic Investments sees itself as a true partner to its portfolio companies.
The firm has a team of 18 specialists who provide hands-on support in key areas like product development, marketing strategy, financial planning, and scaling operations.
This support comes at no extra cost or margin, which David believes is crucial for startups that need practical, ongoing guidance.
Kinetic’s goal is to help founders optimize their tech infrastructure, refine their strategies, and even expand internationally.
This hands-on assistance allows entrepreneurs to focus on what they do best—building their vision—while Kinetic ensures they have the resources and expertise to overcome common startup challenges.
What Kinetic Looks for in Founders
When it comes to choosing the right founders to back, David shared that Kinetic is drawn to individuals who show resilience, a clear vision, and strong problem-solving skills.
He explained that startups are built on countless decisions, and the ability to make sound choices under pressure is essential.
The best founders, in David’s eyes, are those who embrace challenges, adapt to market feedback, and remain focused on creating meaningful impact.
However, David cautioned against founders who lack clarity or overcomplicate their ideas.
Kinetic values simplicity paired with purpose, and he admires founders who prioritize substance over style—those who are focused on building solid businesses rather than delivering perfectly polished presentations.
Kinetic’s Portfolio and Proud Moments
David highlighted several key successes in Kinetic’s portfolio, beginning with Seven Star Digital.
This early investment was a standout for Kinetic, not only because it marked their first major win, but also because it demonstrated the firm’s approach to working closely with startups as they scaled.
Seven Star’s eventual multi-million-dollar exit was a proud milestone for Kinetic.
Other companies that have caught David’s attention include Investoo, MoneyTransfers, and several others that are tackling real-world problems.
Collectively, Kinetic’s portfolio spans seven industries, employs over 250 people, and manages more than 100 active websites.
David is proud of the unique contributions each founder brings to the table and enjoys watching their hard work pay off.
Betting on AI’s Future: What’s Next for Kinetic Investments?
Looking ahead, David is particularly excited about the future of AI.
He believes that AI’s true potential extends far beyond the hype and will bring about some of the most significant societal changes in history.
One area that he’s particularly bullish on is AI-powered hyper-personalization.
This could revolutionize everything from mental health companions and smarter digital assistants to personalized entertainment experiences.
David also sees a major opportunity in AI’s potential to create localized solutions tailored to specific regions or cultural contexts.
For example, AI-powered educational platforms or language-specific assistants could have a profound impact on underserved markets.
While AI in consumer applications is still underfunded compared to enterprise AI, David believes the consumer AI market will eventually surpass £1 trillion by 2032.
He’s confident that Kinetic is well-positioned to lead in this space and to be at the forefront of the transformative changes AI will bring.
David’s vision for AI is not just about improving efficiency—it’s about making life more personal, fulfilling, and impactful.
He’s excited to be part of that journey and looks forward to seeing how Kinetic’s investments contribute to the next wave of innovation.
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