We build practical things for everyday life

KC Ventures Group is a Bay Area studio that turns sketches, spreadsheets, and “one-day” ideas into real-world products and services for families, teams, and small businesses.

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Discover Our Journey So Far

KC Ventures Group grew out of a long-running group project that never really ended. Kevin Tran and Cris “Cris” Cortez met at San José State University, survived more than a few late-night classes together, and eventually finished their MBAs still talking about “what if” ideas.

Those ideas kept showing up in real life: family construction projects that needed better coordination, side hustles that needed clearer systems, friends who were trying to launch something new without burning out. Bit by bit, side projects turned into prototypes, then into real ventures.

Today, KC Ventures Group is the umbrella for those projects. From construction and excavation to creative services, consulting, and design. Each venture looks different on the outside, but they all share the same goal: build useful things that people will actually use, and make everyday life a little easier.

If you’re the kind of person who keeps a running list of ideas on your phone, KC Ventures is built for you.

How we work

No matter which venture you work with, a few things stay the same.

A diverse group of professionals having a collaborative meeting in a modern office setting.

We listen first

We start by listening to real people, not just reading a brief. We ask annoying-but-important questions so we understand the root of the problem before we suggest anything.

We keep it practical

We prefer simple, repeatable systems over shiny complexity. Every solution should be something your team can actually run next month, not just admire on a slide.

We communicate clearly

We keep projects moving with clear timelines, honest status updates, and straightforward language. No mystery, no hidden surprises – you always know where things stand.

We think long term

We design with the long game in mind: maintenance, hand-offs, and “what happens after launch.” Good work should make life easier six months from now, not just this week.

MEET KEVIN & CRIS

KC Ventures Group is led by two co-founders and supported by a flexible roster of specialists. Together we blend hands-on experience in construction, consulting, operations, people analytics, and creative work.

Kevin Tran

Co-Founder of KC Ventures Group

Kevin is a licensed residential contractor and MBA graduate from San José State University. He grew up in the trades and now leads field operations for our construction and excavation ventures. At KC Ventures Group, Kevin makes sure ideas can actually be built, shipped, and maintained in everyday life.

Cris Cortez

Co-Founder of KC Ventures Group

Cris is an MBA graduate from San José State University with a background in higher-education operations, people analytics, and creative production. He leads strategy, systems, and brand for KC Ventures Group, connecting data, design, and real customer needs to launch ventures that are practical and thoughtful.

Ventures under the KC umbrella

Wake n Bait

Wake N Bait designs and tests West Coast fishing gear, tackle and accessories, delivering durable rods, lures and boat-ready essentials field-proven on real ocean, river and lake trips for anglers.
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Latte & Friends

Latte & Friends offers pet-friendly products, dog services and community events in the Bay Area, blending café culture, small-batch treats, safe play, and adoptable pet spotlights for modern pet parents.
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JT Excavation

JT Excavation delivers expert excavation, demolition, grading and drainage services across the Bay Area, solving tight-access, hard-soil and inspection challenges with reliable equipment, experienced operators and clean, safety-focused job sites.
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KCV Studios

KCV Studios is a Bay Area content studio creating scroll-stopping brand videos, photography and design, helping startups and businesses tell authentic stories and drive measurable engagement across social platforms online.
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Crew with Views

Crew with Views organizes small-group outdoor adventures and boat-day experiences, pairing curated gear and hosted trips so busy people can discover stunning views, meet friends and enjoy stress-free time outside.
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Danny Tran Construction

Danny Tran Construction is a licensed Bay Area general contractor specializing in home remodels, additions, ADUs and outdoor living spaces, delivering honest communication, quality craftsmanship and on-time, on-budget residential projects.
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Smart Monkey

Smart Monkey Consulting helps busy leaders turn scattered tasks into a focused 90-day action plan with practical strategy, project management, and executive coaching.
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SeeCubed Labs

SeeCubed Labs provides professional 3D printing and rapid prototyping in the Bay Area, turning sketches and CAD files into durable, functional parts for startups, engineers, educators, makers, and small businesses.
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Coach Kevin

Coach Kevin offers personalized volleyball training in the Bay Area, with private lessons, small-group sessions, team clinics, and film review, building skills, confidence, and game IQ for serious high-school players.
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Ventures Ahead️

Ventures Ahead designs compact, grab-and-go travel kits for hikes, beach days and cruises, helping busy people pack faster with organized essentials, sustainable materials and fun extras for spontaneous, stress-free adventures.
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READY TO TALK ABOUT YOUR NEXT PROJECT?

Whether you’re planning a new product, improving an existing service, or trying to bring a half-finished idea across the finish line, we’d love to hear what you’re working on.

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