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

Apr 9, 2026

56:24

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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