KP

Kevin Park

Operator / Investor

Newport Beach, California

Overview 

Kevin Park, an Operator and Investor based in Newport Beach, California, is currently serving as the Managing Director at LAGO Innovation Fund and Founder of SimplePitch Ventures. With a background in private equity and venture capital, he has successfully invested in companies like Jaanuu at the seed stage and holds various roles as an investor and partner in companies such as Docent, TBG Equity, and Kinder's Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces.

Work Experience 

  • Managing Director

    2021 - Current

    Seeking equity investments in cannabis and debt investments in consumer (www.lagoinnovation.com) Current select consumer debt portfolio: - Apparel: Buck Mason (www.buckmason.com), Stio (www.stio.com), Birdy Grey (www.birdygrey.com) - Food: Cure Hydration (www.curehydration.com), Koia (www.drinkkoia.com) - Beauty/Health: Happy Head (www.happyhead.com), Starface (www.starface.world), Organixx (www.organixx.com) Current select cannabis equity portfolio: - MSO / SSOs: Proper Holdings (www.propercannabis.com), TRP Holdings (www.trp.co) - Brands: Kiva Confections (www.kivaconfections.com), Fernway (www.fernway.com) - Ingredients: Open Book Extracts (www.openbookextracts.com) - Ancillary: Katalys (www.katalys.com), GrowerIQ (www.groweriq.ca), Willow Industries (www.willowindustries.com)

LEGO Innovation Investment Fund is an investment firm.

  • Investor / Operator

    2018

    Acquire or launch brands in categories where customers deserve better quality, innovation, and value. Current Investments: - Kinders (www.kinders.com) - Barebones (www.barebonesbroth.com): managing member - Sunwink (www.sunwink.com): managing member - Spanglish Asadero (www.spanglishasadero.com) - Rising Star Baking Supply (www.magnolia-star.com)

  • Founder / President

    2014

    Apparel Investments: - Buck Mason (www.buckmason.com): 1st investor, part-time CFO - Draper James (www.draperjames.com): turnaround investor, exited to Consortium Partners in 2023 - Eloquii (www.eloquii.com): seed investor, acquired by Walmart in 2018 - Jaanuu (www.jaanuu.com): seed investor, recapped by Eurazeo in 2022 Food Investments: - Sticky's Finger Joint (www.stickys.com): former board member - Pressed Juicery (www.pressedjuicery.com): recapped by Madrone Capital in 2016 - Crunchies (www.crunchiesfood.com): former board member, acquired by Nagatanien Holdings in 2016 Beauty Investments - Kjaer Weis (www.kjaerweis.com) - DreamDry (www.dreamdry.com): former board member and interim CEO Tech Investments: - Evite (www.evite.com): interim CRO (restructuring), exited to Francisco Partners in 2024 - Media/Gaming: Epic Games (www.fortnite.com), Discord (www.discord.com) - Fintech: Copper Banking (www.getcopper.com), Consensys (www.consensys.io) - Space/Defense: Skydio (www.skydio.com), Loft Orbital (www.loftorbital.com), Shield AI (www.shield.ai), Vector (www.tfvector.com) Energy: Last Energy (www.lastenergy.com), Realta Fusion (www.realtafusion.com) - Other: Airtable (www.airtable.com), Auradine (www.auradine.com), Gecko Robotics (www.geckorobotics.com)

  • Investor and Partner

    2018

    Originate & sponsor proprietary cross-border deals and investments between Mexico and U.S. Invest alongside family offices in emerging PE and VC funds. Current investments: - Scale Logistics (www.wescale3pl.com): cross-border fulfillment - Prize Payments (www.paymentlabs.io): payment solution for global gamers - Pittsburgh Knights (www.knights.gg): Mexico e-sports partner - ICAN (www.ican.mx): first licensed cannabis retailer in Mexico - Crediverso (www.crediverso.com, www.mypocketlawyer.ai): banking and legal solutions Fund Investments (LP) - Warburg Pincus (www.warburgpincus.com) - Frontier: GFT Ventures (www.gft.vc), LMNT Ventures (www.lmnt.vc) - Ethnic: Strong Investors (www.strongvc.com), Unshackled Ventures (www.unshackledvc.com) - Fintech: Clocktower Technology Ventures (www.clocktowerventures.com), Manresa Ventures - Co-invest groups: Silvercircle One (Larry Chu), GSBackers (Stanford alums), Little Joe Fund (personal)

  • Investor and Partner

    2012

    Seeking, via acquisition or partnership, to manage and grow companies in the infrastructure and maintenance industries with the benefit of a disabled veteran business enterprise (“DVBE”) certification. Investments: - GuardTop (www.guardtop.com): former CFO, acquired by Pavement Recycling Systems in 2024 - Flint Group (www.flintgrp.com): exited to General Atlantic in 2023 - Wrench Group (www.wrenchgroup.com): exited to InvestCorp in 2016 - Cadence Power (www.cadencepower.com): source and procure materials to utility companies - Cross Brothers (www.crossbrothersinc.com): custom metal enclosures and fabrication

  • EVP & CFO / Investor

    2010

    Bought business from founder, grew from 3 to 20 locations (with no subsequent equity raises), acquired by iEducation Group (Leeds Equity portfolio company) in 2019. Current equity holder.

  • Co-Founder, COO & CFO

    2015 - 2017

    Went from idea to 5 retail stores, Nordstrom's, and DTC in < 1 yr with Toni Ko (NYX Cosmetics founder).

  • Co-Founder, COO & CFO

    2012 - 2014

    Launched DTC golf club brand from idea w/ former CEO of Cleveland/Srixon. Partnered with UPS as custom golf club manufacturer.

  • Senior Associate

    2007 - 2010

    Responsible for supporting the origination, structuring, managing and harvesting of investments for lower middle-market $200 mm private equity firm. Completed 4 platform investments and over 10 add-on acquisitions. Played various interim operating roles at the following companies: - Western Emulsions: asphalt emulsions manufacturer used for pavement preservation - Solis Women's Health: largest mammography clinic chain in U.S. with 30 locations in 6 states - Storyteller Theatres: movie theatre company that operated theatres in NM, CO, AZ, and WY - Boot Barn: leading specialty retailer of western and work wear that grew from 30 to 80 stores - Fire Grill: operates 43 Burger King® restaurants in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana - Promax Nutrition: protein-based energy bars (Promax) and organic nutrition bars (Pure Bar)

  • Co-Founder

    2004 - 2007

    Launched from idea to profitable business in 1st year with 3 divisions and 30 employees. Sold stake to co-founder and currently #1 premier educational services company in Korea.

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