Pygma Debut FundPre-seed & Seed · New York

We want to be your first check.

Pygma Debut Fund writes first checks of up to $125K to Latin American founders building global fintech and applied AI companies.

Pitch us→Not ready? Join the cohort→

Pygma hosts on stage at a community event in New York

Our thesis

Latin American founders. Global companies.

We back ambitious Latin American founders early, and help them build fintech and applied AI companies that compete globally.

Beyond capital, founders get structured support, investor access and a cross-border network connecting Latin America and the United States. Pygma has supported 172 startups across 9 cohorts.

The check

Up to

$125K

at pre-seed and seed.

Check size: Up to $125K
Instrument: SAFE
Stage: Pre-seed · Seed
Sectors: Fintech · Applied AI
Founders: Latin American, building global
Based in: New York
Priority: Pygma Universe founders

Who we fund.

Priority track

Pygma Universe

Cohort alumni, Tailored Program companies and community members. We already know how you build, so diligence moves fast.

Open door

New to Pygma

Haven't been through a program with us? Apply anyway. Exceptional fintech and AI teams always get a real look.

Fast, transparent, founder-first.

01
Apply
A 10-minute form. A deck is optional; clarity is required.
02
First call
30 minutes with a partner on the founders, the market and why now.
03
Deep dive
Product, metrics and a working session. You get feedback whatever we decide.
04
Decision
A clear yes or no. We don't ghost.

Team

The people writing the check.

Andrés Cano

Managing Partner

Based in NYC

Serial entrepreneur, angel investor and ecosystem builder. Co-founder and Managing Partner of Pygma and co-manager of First Check Ventures LatAm Fund I. He also co-founded Colectivo and Latino Tech Week, building community for Latino founders and tech leaders in the U.S. Born in Colombia and raised in New York, he has spent his career connecting Latin American founders with U.S. capital, networks and markets.

Emilia González

Partner

Based in NYC

Emilia González Casabianca is a Partner and General Counsel at Pygma, based in New York. She built Pygma's legal function from scratch (7+ entities, 3 jurisdictions) and is a strategic partner on firm-building, investor relations, portfolio, and platform. Previously at Big Law and a Fortune Global 500 company, she holds two master's degrees, the latest from Columbia Law.

Yenni Peña

Partner

Based in São Paulo

Partner at Pygma and one of the architects of its accelerator model. Yenni leads due diligence and accelerator operations, from application through investment. She was the first hire at Acanof, Andrés’s first accelerator, and has accelerated 262 startups across both programs.

Mishelle Ramírez

Senior Associate

Based in Bogotá

Senior Associate at Pygma, central to startup selection and in charge of the firm’s accounting and finance. Mishe was the second hire at Acanof, Andrés’s first accelerator, growing from Data Analyst to Investment Analyst to Senior Associate.

First Check Ventures LatAm Fund I

Now General Partner of First Check Ventures.

Pygma has assumed the role of General Partner of First Check Ventures LatAm Fund I. We are honored to carry forward the work of founder Ali Jamal, whose vision was to give promising founders their first check and the support to grow. Pygma will steward the fund, support its portfolio companies, and serve its limited partners through the remainder of the fund's term.