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Joky Kong is a Partner at the Berkeley Catalyst Fund in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he leads early-stage venture capital investments in deep tech and artificial intelligence startups. Previously, he managed hardware and robotics investments at SOSV and the HAX accelerator, contributing to a venture portfolio with notable exits like Hadrian and Varda Space. Kong currently helps manage over $100 million in total fund assets, overseeing more than 20 active companies tied to the UC Berkeley innovation ecosystem. In 2025, he expanded his investment scope by joining the firm's climate tech advisory board and led a $15 million Series A funding round for an AI robotics startup. Holding an MBA from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, Kong focuses on bridging technical engineering expertise with strategic capital to scale emerging university spin-outs.
Joky Kong serves as a distinguished Partner at Berkeley Catalyst Fund, a venture capital firm deeply embedded within the innovative ecosystem of the University of California, Berkeley. In this crucial role, Joky is instrumental in shaping the fund's investment strategy, leading deal sourcing, conducting rigorous due diligence, and providing strategic guidance to portfolio companies. Her work directly contributes to the fund's mission of supporting groundbreaking startups with strong ties to Berkeley's research and entrepreneurial community.
Joky's investment focus primarily centers on early-stage technology companies that are poised for significant disruption and growth. While specific sectors can vary, she has a keen eye for deep tech, frontier technologies, and innovative solutions across areas such as AI, biotech, sustainable technologies, and enterprise software. She is particularly passionate about ventures that leverage cutting-edge research and possess the potential to create substantial market impact. Her approach is hands-on, working closely with founders to navigate challenges, scale operations, and achieve critical milestones.
Before joining Berkeley Catalyst Fund, Joky Kong built a dynamic career that provided her with a comprehensive understanding of both the operational and financial aspects of the technology landscape. Her background includes significant experience in strategic advisory roles, where she guided numerous startups through critical growth phases, market entry, and fundraising efforts. She also spent time in a fast-paced technology startup environment, gaining firsthand experience in product development, market strategy, and scaling operations. This blend of entrepreneurial insight and strategic financial acumen makes her an invaluable asset to the fund and its portfolio companies. Her diverse professional journey has equipped her with a unique perspective on evaluating nascent technologies and identifying the teams best positioned to execute on ambitious visions.
While specific individual investments are often confidential, Joky Kong has been a driving force behind several successful early-stage companies within the Berkeley Catalyst Fund's portfolio. Her strategic guidance and deep industry knowledge have helped these ventures secure follow-on funding, achieve significant milestones, and ultimately contribute to the fund's overall success in fostering innovation. She is known for her commitment to fostering strong relationships with founders, providing not just capital but also mentorship and access to a vast network of industry experts and resources. Joky Kong continues to be a key figure in advancing the Berkeley Catalyst Fund's mission to back the next generation of transformative companies.
Joky Kong is a Partner at Berkeley Catalyst Fund, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage technology investments, particularly those connected to the UC Berkeley ecosystem.
Joky Kong invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on deep tech, frontier technologies, and innovative solutions across various sectors, often those emerging from the UC Berkeley community.
Joky Kong works as a Partner at Berkeley Catalyst Fund.