Kaya Founders is a Filipino startup that specializes in creating and offering non-fungible tokens (NFTs) featuring celebrities and other personalities. The platform aims to connect superfans with their favorite celebrities by providing exclusive digital collectibles and experiences through blockchain technology.

Kaya Founders partners with exceptional founders as early as Day 0 to bring industry-shaping ideas to life. We derisk and accelerate the start-up journey by providing strategic and operational support and by activating synergies with our partners and across our portfolio.

Kaya Founders

We, alongside Founders Launchpad, are thrilled to be joining forces to champion the next generation of Philippine startups through our latest accelerator program! 🇵🇭📈

Check out the latest on this Esquire magazine feature below and apply now to be a part of our second ever cohort ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gtGE9Ri2

Thank you to all those who joined our very first Angel Investing 101 event last night! 🥂

Attendees got to hear from Paulo Campos, Ray Alimurung and Anthony Oundjian as they shared about their respective angel investing journeys, and their tips for success. 😇

Want to learn more about angel investing in the Philippines and join our growing network? Sign up for the Kaya Angel Network here: https://lnkd.in/dP5XSxj2

Our team at Kaya Founders is thrilled to announce that we’re joining forces with Founders Launchpad to help more Philippine startups. 🚀

Key highlights: 

🤝 The Manila Venture Program (MVP) led by Kaya Founders will be rolled under the Founders Launchpad program—which marks our joint move to solidify ourselves as the leading accelerator program in the country with our combined resources and mentorship.

💸 Startups who apply to the FL program may receive a potential investment from both Kaya and FL, and be backed by two leading players in the ecosystem.

💡 This also means that during and after the program, accepted startups will receive mentorship, hands-on support, and guidance from both Kaya and Founders Launchpad in business and fundraising. This support will be provided through our teams and an extensive network of investors and entrepreneurs.

We can’t wait to work together with the Launchpad team in building one supercharged accelerator. 🔥

➡️ Founders, now’s your chance to be part of the country’s one-of-a-kind, hands-on program. Apply today at https://lnkd.in/gtGE9Ri2

Happy Monday everyone 👋 We wanted to start shining a light on the folks that compose our small and mighty team, starting with our Investment Director Toby Floro!

This feature was initially published in our December newsletter. To make sure that you don't miss out on any of the latest Kaya content and for our insights on the PH startup ecosystem, head over to our website (https://lnkd.in/gFKDxQ53) to sign up to our mailing list. 

Read on below for the Q&A 👇 

💡 Please share your journey about breaking into VC and how you joined Kaya Founders.  
I got into VC when I joined Wavemaker Partners not knowing fully well what it was back then. I used to work with both Paul Santos and Manuel Ravago in a previous firm and I saw it as an opportunity to get to work with people I looked up to. It’s been quite a journey ever since. After leaving Wavemaker, I met Crissy and ER Rollan over a play date with our kids when Crissy told me about what Paulo, Cons, and Lisa were building at Kaya. 

After a few meetings, I realized that what Kaya was doing was exactly what the Philippines startup ecosystem needed and I wanted to be part of it!

🏅 What has been the most memorable or fulfilling part of your journey with Kaya Founders so far?  
There have been many highlights but two things stick out to me so far: (1) putting together an investment team, starting out with the early interns and our associates, to eventually build out an investment process together; and (2) getting to first close of the Kaya Zero to One and One to Ten funds as it was my first actual taste of what other founders go through with fundraising. 

🤖 What technology trends in Southeast Asia excite you the most and why?  	
The Philippines itself has always and will continue to keep me excited— there’s a ton of opportunities and now we’re seeing more and more founders making the jump.

💬 What's the one thing you can keep talking about for hours?  
My four year old kid occupies much of my brain right now.

🇵🇭 What advice would you share to entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs building in the Philippines? 
Solve a real problem, have solid unit economics, then sell— everything else is likely secondary.

Curious about angel investing? 💡

It's not too late to sign up for our upcoming event! Hear about our partners' own angel investing journeys—including stories of both success and failure. Ray Alimurung and Paulo Campos will be joined by Anthony Oundjian, Managing Director & Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Manila.

Note: This event is free but limited to existing and prospective angels. Pre-approval is required to attend. 

https://lu.ma/m7x30jll

Calling all seasoned B2B sales professionals in enterprise software or business management solutions! 🚀 

Britana, a cutting-edge SaaS company, is on the hunt for top talent to drive their growth in the local market. Join the mission to empower small and medium businesses with Britana ERP, a revolutionary no-code, cloud-based solution. 

Ana Yang-Calubad is seeking a skilled business developer to forge strong client connections and fuel their expansion. Ready to elevate your career? 
Apply below 👇 

#BusinessDevelopment #SaaS #ERP #Startups

🚀 Mark Your Calendars: BUILD Startup Festival 2024 is Coming! 🌟

🗓 When: March 20-21, 2024
📍 Where: The Fifth at Rockwell

Be a part of the festivities that celebrate innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration at the BUILD Startup Festival this year, a collaborative effort by Sinigang Valley and Esquire Philippines. Get ready to engage with the pivotal figures in the startup ecosystem, including founders, investors, government representatives, and essential enablers.

What's in Store:

🚀 Startup Pitch Competition: Experience the drive and creativity of handpicked startups as they showcase their solutions to pressing challenges.
 
🛍️ Live Booths: Connect with homegrown startups and the people running them.

🤝 Networking Opportunities: Forge impactful connections with a diverse group of attendees, including investors, entrepreneurs, and government representatives.

🎙️ Local & International Speakers: Gain insights from a roster of esteemed founders, investors, incubators, and supporters.

🏛️ Government Guidance: Better understand the evolving regulatory landscape with advice from government organizations dedicated to startup success.

🎶 Esquire Secret Sessions: Unwind with live performances and art installations, celebrating creativity and good company.

Tailor Your Experience with BUILD Tracks:

🛠️ BUILD YOUR BASE: Perfect for early-stage startups looking to refine their ideas and build solid foundations.

🌱 BUILD YOUR COMMUNITY: Aimed at those ready to expand their reach, attract investment, and cement lasting partnerships.

🚀 BUILD YOUR FUTURE: Designed for startups poised for explosive growth, offering strategies for fundraising, scaling, and planning for exits.

More than a festival, BUILD 2024 represents a vibrant movement, a tribute to the resilience, creativity, and determination embedded in the core of the startup expedition. Whether you're a novice, aiming for expansion, or grappling with uncertainty, the BUILD Startup Festival is your compass for discovering the inspiration, knowledge, and connections essential to advancing your startup aspirations.

🌟 Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of the conversation that shapes the future of the Philippine startup ecosystem. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more updates!

BUILD Startup Festival 2024 Organizers:
Sinigang Valley | Esquire Philippines | AHG Lab | QBO Innovation Hub | Foxmont Capital Partners | Kickstart Ventures

#BUILD2024 #BUILDStartupFestival #SinigangValley #Esquire #EmpoweringEntrepreneurs

Last month, our team went out to the scenic mountains of Itogon province a few hours north of Metro Manila for our annual planning workshop! Amidst the crisp air and stunning views, we took stock of our achievements in 2023 and set bold goals for the year ahead. 🌄 

With three years under our belt— during which we’ve backed 40+ ventures, taken two companies from pre-seed to the significant Series A milestone, raised external capital for the first time, and grown to a core team of 13 strong, we now benefit from some added experience. 

This experience, combined with a maturing local startup ecosystem and steadying global macroeconomic conditions, gives us the confidence to dream bigger and do better for our country and our entrepreneurs. 🚀

Our small but mighty team remains committed to championing outstanding founders from day zero and raising the Philippines flag for the region and the world to see. Here’s to scaling to new heights in 2024!

Now's the time for your next career adventure 🚀 
Check out these key roles at Kaya that will take you to the next level! 


Ready to apply? Click the links in the comments. 
#startupjobs #earlystagestartups

Calling all existing and aspiring angels! 📣

Join us for this upcoming event with Kaya partners Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng, Paulo Campos, and Ray Alimurung, where you can:

💡Learn about the art of angel investing, including what it is and how to get started;

📚 Hear about the partners’ personal, pre-Kaya angel investing stories, including lessons learned along the way and tips for success;

🤝🏼 Meet fellow angels and tech enthusiasts; and

😇 Learn more about the Kaya Angel Network.

Limited slots only—register now! https://lu.ma/m7x30jll

COM:KAYAFOUNDERS

Kaya Founders

Analysis Not Available