Gavin Christensen is Founder and General Partner of Kickstart, which he founded in 2008 and which his Kickstart biography page describes as establishing the region's first seed-stage venture fund. He holds a BA from Brigham Young University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management. He is named as an Executive Officer on the Form D filings of Kickstart Seed Fund VI, L.P. (2022) and Kickstart Seed Fund VII, L.P. (2026), and as the Manager of the General Partner on the Form D of K6 Collective Fund, L.P. (2023). NVCA announced on 14 May 2026 that he had been appointed 2026-2027 Chair of its Board of Directors. His Kickstart biography page groups his company involvement under the headings Exits, Board Director and Investor.
Board Director, Chatbooks - Listed under the heading "Board Director" on his Kickstart biography page, which the firm presents as a current-state grouping distinct from its "Board Observer", "Investor" and "Exits" headings. The page gives no appointment date and no separate portfolio-company confirmation was located, so the seat rests on the firm's own current statement. Checked 2026-09-07.
Board Director, Claravine - Listed under the heading "Board Director" on his Kickstart biography page, which the firm presents as a current-state grouping distinct from its "Board Observer", "Investor" and "Exits" headings. The page gives no appointment date and no separate portfolio-company confirmation was located, so the seat rests on the firm's own current statement. Checked 2026-09-07.
Board Director, Lucid - Listed under the heading "Board Director" on his Kickstart biography page, which the firm presents as a current-state grouping distinct from its "Board Observer", "Investor" and "Exits" headings. The page gives no appointment date and no separate portfolio-company confirmation was located, so the seat rests on the firm's own current statement. Checked 2026-09-07.
Board Director, Music.AI - Listed under the heading "Board Director" on his Kickstart biography page, which the firm presents as a current-state grouping distinct from its "Board Observer", "Investor" and "Exits" headings. The page gives no appointment date and no separate portfolio-company confirmation was located, so the seat rests on the firm's own current statement. Checked 2026-09-07.
Board Director, Monarx - Listed under the heading "Board Director" on his Kickstart biography page, which the firm presents as a current-state grouping distinct from its "Board Observer", "Investor" and "Exits" headings. The page gives no appointment date and no separate portfolio-company confirmation was located, so the seat rests on the firm's own current statement. Checked 2026-09-07.
Board Director, Nomad - Listed under the heading "Board Director" on his Kickstart biography page, which the firm presents as a current-state grouping distinct from its "Board Observer", "Investor" and "Exits" headings. The page gives no appointment date and no separate portfolio-company confirmation was located, so the seat rests on the firm's own current statement. Checked 2026-09-07.
Board Director, PhotoPharmics - Listed under the heading "Board Director" on his Kickstart biography page, which the firm presents as a current-state grouping distinct from its "Board Observer", "Investor" and "Exits" headings. The page gives no appointment date and no separate portfolio-company confirmation was located, so the seat rests on the firm's own current statement. Checked 2026-09-07.
Board Director, Nursa - Listed under the heading "Board Director" on his Kickstart biography page, which the firm presents as a current-state grouping distinct from its "Board Observer", "Investor" and "Exits" headings. The page gives no appointment date and no separate portfolio-company confirmation was located, so the seat rests on the firm's own current statement. Checked 2026-09-07.
Board Director, Rockware - Listed under the heading "Board Director" on his Kickstart biography page, which the firm presents as a current-state grouping distinct from its "Board Observer", "Investor" and "Exits" headings. The page gives no appointment date and no separate portfolio-company confirmation was located, so the seat rests on the firm's own current statement. Checked 2026-09-07.
Chair of the Board of Directors, 2026-2027, National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) - NVCA's own press release of 14 May 2026 announces his appointment as "the 2026-2027 Chair of the NVCA Board of Directors" and identifies him as "Founder and General Partner at Kickstart". His Kickstart biography page separately states he "serves on the board of the National Venture Capital Association". This is a venture-industry trade association directorship, NOT a portfolio-company board seat. Checked 2026-09-07.
Career Timeline
2008
Founds Kickstart, which his Kickstart biography page describes as "establishing the region's first seed-stage venture fund".
2022
Named as an Executive Officer on the Form D of Kickstart Seed Fund VI, L.P., filed 2 February 2022, alongside Kickstart Capital, LLC and Kickstart Seed Fund Management VI, L.L.C.
2023
Identified as "founder and general partner" in Deseret News' 30 March 2023 report of a $230 million fund close and a planned Colorado office.
2026
Named as an Executive Officer on the Form D of Kickstart Seed Fund VII, L.P., filed 23 April 2026.
2026
Appointed 2026-2027 Chair of the NVCA Board of Directors, announced by NVCA on 14 May 2026.