Paulo Campos: Founding Philippines ZALORA & Kaya Founders Venture Capital Lessons - E685

Paulo Campos: Founding Philippines ZALORA & Kaya Founders Venture Capital Lessons - E685

Author: Jeremy Au April 9, 2026 Duration: 56:24

Is the Philippines the next major tech hub in Southeast Asia?

In this episode of BRAVE, venture capitalist Jeremy Au sits down with Paulo Campos, Founding Managing Partner of Kaya Founders. From leaving a lucrative career at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to pioneering cash-on-delivery (COD) as a co-founder of ZALORA Philippines, Paulo has been at the forefront of Southeast Asia's digital revolution.

We dive deep into the "Cambrian explosion" of startups in Manila following the 2020 pandemic, why returning "sea turtles" (diaspora talent) are reshaping the local economy, and what it really takes to build a sustainable, profitable tech company in today's venture capital climate. Whether you are building in Calabarzon or raising funds in Singapore, this is a masterclass in emerging market entrepreneurship.


0:00 - Introduction & Growing Up in 1990s Manila

4:40 - A Grandfather’s Lesson: "The Best Way to Help is to Create Jobs"

7:55 - Choosing the Philippines Over Wall Street & Ayala Group

11:54 - Harvard Business School (HBS) & Discovering Venture Capital

14:00 - Why BCG is the Ultimate Training Ground for Founders

20:50 - The Leap of Faith: Leaving Corporate to Co-Found ZALORA

28:00 - Building a Company in a 10sqm Room & "Founder Energy"

29:10 - The Masterstroke: Unlocking E-Commerce with Cash on Delivery (COD)

34:50 - The Pandemic Pivot & Angel Investing in Local Builders

38:40 - Launching Kaya Founders to Fuel the Philippine VC Ecosystem

44:20 - The "Language Lock" Advantage & The Return of the Diaspora

51:50 - The Bravery Required to Build and Invest in Tech

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/paulo-campos-kaya-founders-zalora

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at https://www.bravesea.com

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Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

#Philippines #VentureCapital #Startup #Podcast #southeastasia #techpodcast


There’s a unique energy building across Southeast Asia, a sense of possibility that’s palpable from Singapore’s skyscrapers to the bustling streets of Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech captures that momentum by going beyond the headlines and funding announcements. Host Jeremy Au, a venture capitalist and serial founder with a background from Harvard and Berkeley, steers these conversations with a distinct perspective-one that balances the hard metrics of growth with the very human elements of leadership and personal development. Each episode feels like a candid, in-depth dialogue, whether he’s speaking with a first-time founder navigating early traction or a seasoned investor mapping regional trends. You’ll hear genuine stories about building companies, the tough lessons learned from failures, and the often-overlooked journey of staying grounded while scaling rapidly. This isn’t about presenting a polished facade of success; it’s about the real work of creating something meaningful. With over eighty thousand regular listeners, this podcast has become a key resource for anyone invested in the region’s tech ecosystem. Jeremy brings his own experiences as a sci-fi enthusiast and a father into the mix, often exploring how broader perspectives on the future and empathy shape better leaders. Tune in for practical insights on venture capital, entrepreneurship, and management, all framed within the vibrant and complex tapestry of Southeast Asia. New conversations arrive every Monday, offering a thoughtful pause to reflect on how we build what’s next.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders & Venture Capital VC (English)
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