From Concept To Market Traction
Startup ROI
Ventures
Our team manages high growth concept stage AI in Energy startup investments by ensuring Product Market Fit and guaranteeing growth or a timely pivot.
We’re not your average venture builder. We’ve designed a model that removes obstacles to growth from concept to exit.
Our Thesis
Startup ROI Ventures is launching a Seed fund in Houston to back US AI in Energy startups, leveraging the partner’s startup accelerator experience, industry partners, and dialed in investment criteria.
Investment Criteria
We target AI concepts to Optimize Cost and Availability Impacts in Drilling, Operations, and Production. We maintain concept pipeline using an in-house application.
Our Partners
We’re partnering with industry aligned software platforms and startup supporting groups to foster customer-ready development and ensure early buyers.
Scaling Model
We guarantee consistent growth or a timely pivot with founder/concept matching and recruiting, incremental investment, hands on advisory, and regular reviews.
Our Team
Kiara Thomas
Managing Partner
- Startup Advisor and Technology
- Investment Operator Founder of AI Startup Accelerator
- Innovation Leader at Offshore Drilling Company
Jim Lawin
General Partner
- AI Innovation Leader in Oil & Gas
- Managing Partner and Member of Board of Advisors
- Startup Advisor and Community Builder
Ajith Murthy
Venture Partner
- 30 years Oil & Gas Technology Deployment and New Business Development
- Deep Expertise in Technology for Business Excellence and Sustainability
How We Deliver Results
Guaranteeing growth or a timely pivot with incremental investment, hands on advisory, and regular reviews.
Product Market Fit
Fueled by in-house ideation and AI assisted research, we identify lean startup concepts with high growth potential, pre-validate buy in with ideal customer interviews, and prepare top startup concepts and success roadmaps that include ideal founder personas, customer targets, and growth milestones.
Supervised Growth
Made up of a community of voluntary advisors, we provide two to three early board members with skillsets matching roadmap needs. The group supervises the recruiting of two founders, a business and technical role, and advise startup growth. We provide growth milestones and intervene when pivots are necessary.
Monitored Investment
The Fund board reviews annual presentations and selects one to three startup concepts for investment. The investment covers a minimum founder salary, MVP development, and lean operational costs. The early board members provide quarterly reports and the fund maintains an annual exit option.
Why Startup ROI?
We’ve de-risked AI investments at crucial failure points with a model that addresses key issues from the start.
Poor Product Market Fit
34% of startups fail within 1-5 years due to poor product market fit. This is a result of little to no market research prior to building a product. Founders often become convinced a concept’s success without validation.
Team Related Issues
18% of startups fail within 1-5 years due to team related issues. Founders often lack domain, business, marketing, or technical knowledge leaving the startup vulnerable.
No Transparency or Control
Investors are often left in the dark while founders struggle behind flashy presentations. Despite quarterly reports, founders withhold vital information out of fear. Investors often miss the opportunity to course correct. The investment fails due to a lack of communication and delayed intervention.
Join Our Advisor Community
True global scale is the objective. Due to so many obstacles, only 5% of venture-backed startups succeed and 95% cause investors to lose money. Our team works with each startup to ensure scalability at every milestone. We’re looking for likeminded advisor partners. Join an ecosystem that puts power and equity in your hands.