Nila Capital Launches as Philippines’ First Student Venture Fund

Philippines-based Nila Capital is the country’s inaugural student venture fund, officially launching with new opportunities for Gen Z startup founders. The fund’s core mission is to provide visionary young entrepreneurs with essential capital; it also strives to create an extensive network of industry professionals.

Nila Capital is capping its funding at $10,000 per round. It aims to help young founders in a vast network of fellow Gen Z entrepreneurs. Recognizing the abundant talent within the Philippines, the venture capital firm aspires to inspire entrepreneurial spirit and boost the number of Gen Z-driven businesses nationwide.

Co-founded by Jason Ho and Ryan Chua, former startup founders, Nila Capital leverages their personal experiences to identify and empower young entrepreneurs with the potential to create the region’s next unicorn. They aim to collaborate with fellow young trailblazers and guide their startups toward success.

Jason Ho brings valuable experience from his previous roles with startups like Dashlabs.ai, Kinobi, and Sansan Tech. His insights into the startup ecosystem and the challenges young entrepreneurs face contribute to Nila Capital’s mission of nurturing and supporting Gen Z founders.

The Nila Capital team shares the belief that the Philippines possesses a wealth of talented young individuals who, with the right support and encouragement, can spearhead innovative businesses.

“Young founders are frequently hindered from transforming their ideas into thriving businesses due to the shortage of capital and the absence of strong connections to institutions,” Jason Ho, Nila Capital Managing Partner, said in an interview.

“These resources are usually built as you make your career and gain more experience, but if there’s a way to access this while you’re young, then the possibilities are endless. What’s also great is that there’s much less to lose while you’re young. You are encouraged to build, gain experience, and be gritty, which is often overlooked,” he added.

Nila Capital envisions a future where young founders rise as champions in the startup community. Their core philosophy is rooted in the belief that “It takes a village to raise a child.”

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