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Kaya Founders is an early-stage venture capital firm established in 2021 by a group of seasoned entrepreneurs and operators. The firm is headquartered in the Philippines and is dedicated to building impactful companies that leverage technology to address significant challenges in the region. Kaya Founders focuses on the growing digital economy and the emerging middle class, aiming to support innovative startups that can drive positive change.
As of now, Kaya Founders manages a total of $25 million across its dual-vehicle fund structure, which includes the Zero to One Fund for pre-seed investments and the One to Ten Fund for seed to Series A rounds. The firm has invested in over 50 companies, reflecting a diverse investment strategy across various sectors. Notable milestones include the successful first close of Fund I at $12 million in 2023 and a second close at $18 million in March 2024, culminating in a final close of $25 million in November 2025.
Located in Makati, Metro Manila, Kaya Founders has established partnerships with various local family offices and tech operators, as well as international investors like Pavilion Capital from Singapore. The firm has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Development Company's Startup Venture Fund, positioning itself as an official co-investment partner.
Kaya Founders invests in early-stage companies across multiple sectors, including fintech, healthcare, climate, consumer, agtech, and enterprise IT. The firm primarily targets the Philippines and Southeast Asia, capitalizing on the region's unique opportunities and challenges. Their investment strategy emphasizes financial inclusion and sustainability, aiming to build impactful businesses that can expand into overseas markets.
The firm typically invests in pre-seed, seed, seed-plus, and Series A stages, with check sizes ranging from approximately $150,000 to $500,000. Kaya Founders seeks to partner with founders who demonstrate a strong vision and the ability to address significant regional challenges through technology. Their investment thesis focuses on leveraging technology to create solutions that cater to the needs of the growing digital economy and the emerging middle class in Southeast Asia.
Kaya Founders has built a diverse portfolio of over 50 companies across various sectors. Notable investments include:
This diverse portfolio reflects Kaya Founders' commitment to supporting innovative solutions that cater to the needs of the Southeast Asian market.
Paulo Campos: Founding Managing General Partner. Paulo has a background as the former CEO of ZALORA Philippines, bringing extensive experience in e-commerce and consumer businesses.
Lisa Gokongwei Cheng: General Partner. Lisa serves as the President of Summit Media and has held senior positions at JG Summit, one of the Philippines' largest conglomerates.
Ray Alimurung: General Partner. Ray has a strong background in technology and operations, contributing to the firm's strategic direction.
Constantin Robertz: Founding Director. Constantin is the CEO of Locad, a portfolio company, and has previously served as CEO of Entrego, enhancing the firm's operational expertise.
Raya Buensuceso: Managing Director. Raya plays a key role in overseeing investment strategies and portfolio management.
Toby Floro: Investment Director. Toby focuses on sourcing and evaluating potential investment opportunities.
Yen Burao: Director of People and Finance. Yen manages the firm's human resources and financial operations.
Pammy Moran: Associate. Pammy supports the investment team in due diligence and portfolio management.
Jianna Francisco: Associate. Jianna assists in evaluating new investment opportunities and supporting portfolio companies.
Gio Tantoco: Associate. Gio contributes to the firm's investment analysis and research efforts.
Brandon Atienza: Associate. Brandon aids in the operational aspects of the firm and portfolio management.
To pitch to Kaya Founders, founders should utilize the preferred channel of their website at kayafounders.com or email hello@kayafounders.com. The pitch deck should include a clear overview of the business model, market analysis, and the problem being addressed. Founders should also outline their team's qualifications and any traction they have achieved to date.
Response times can vary, but founders can expect to hear back within a few weeks. Warm introductions are preferred, as they can facilitate a more favorable review process.
In early 2025, Kaya Founders announced five new investments, including fintech companies LenderLink and ProTech, as well as the food and beverage startup Foodoo. They also made follow-on investments in B2B AI recommendation engine Sourcy and online tutoring platform EDGE Tutor, indicating a strong commitment to supporting their portfolio companies.
As of January 2026, Kaya Founders signaled a continued pace of investment for the year, with $1.7 million remaining in their Fund I early vehicle and $8.1 million in their growth vehicle. Recent portfolio additions include Datung and SunFund, reflecting a growing focus on financial inclusion and clean energy.
In November 2025, Kaya Founders successfully closed their second fund at $25 million, further solidifying their position as a leading early-stage investor in the Philippines.
What are Kaya Founders' investment criteria?
Kaya Founders primarily invests in early-stage tech companies across sectors such as fintech, healthcare, climate, consumer, and agtech. They focus on startups that leverage technology to address significant regional challenges, particularly in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
How can founders apply or pitch to Kaya Founders?
Founders can pitch their ideas through the Kaya Founders website at kayafounders.com or by emailing hello@kayafounders.com. They should include a clear business model, market analysis, and how their solution addresses a specific problem.
What makes Kaya Founders different from other VC firms?
Kaya Founders is distinguished by its dual-vehicle fund structure, allowing them to support founders from pre-seed through Series A without switching investors. Their team consists of seasoned entrepreneurs and operators with extensive experience in building consumer-facing businesses.
What is the geographic scope of Kaya Founders' investments?
The firm primarily targets the Philippines and Southeast Asia, focusing on the unique opportunities and challenges present in these markets.
What is the typical check size for investments?
Kaya Founders typically invests between $150,000 and $500,000 in early-stage companies, depending on the specific needs and potential of the startup.
What kind of post-investment involvement can founders expect?
Kaya Founders provides operational expertise, strategic guidance, and access to a robust network of industry connections to support founders at every stage of their journey.
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