Private EquityRIA · CRD 320773SEC-RegisteredPrivate Fund Adviser

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LEAP Global Partners

LEAP Global Partners is a private equity based in Castro Valley, founded 2016; the Altss profile covers its classification, headquarters, registration, AUM...

LEAP Global Partners logo

LEAP Global Partners

LEAP Global Partners is an SEC-registered investment adviser since 2022. The firm is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

General information

Firm type

Private Equity

Year founded

2016

AUM

Undisclosed

Location

Region

North America

Country

United States

City

Castro Valley

Corporate office

Castro Valley, CA, United States

Principals

Roman Leal

Managing Partner

Roberto Aguayo

General Partner

Paulo Herman

Vice President

Cuco Vega

Vice President

Manuel Yañez

Director of Finance

Sector focus

FinTechEnterprise SoftwareAI/MLPaymentsInsurTech

Frequently asked questions

How does LEAP Global Partners source its deal flow?

Sourcing runs through three primary channels: the general partners' personal networks from previous roles at PayPal, Goldman Sachs, and Latin American operating companies; the LEAP Family Office Network, which serves as both a capital source and a referral channel for cross-border founders; and the firm's event series—LEAP Connect, RTN Connect, and the Founder Spotlight program—that target US and Mexican ecosystems. The firm's internal research agenda on commerce, fintech, and SaaS also surfaces themes that drive proactive outreach.

Who runs investment decisions at LEAP?

Managing Partner Roman Leal, General Partner Roberto Aguayo, and Vice President Paulo Herman form the senior investment team. Roman Leal focuses on fintech and SaaS; Roberto Aguayo covers SaaS and e-commerce while managing the family office network; and Paulo Herman leads investment strategy and due diligence. Vice President Cuco Vega sources early-stage deals with a focus on cross-border startups between Mexico and the Bay Area.

Does LEAP participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

Based on publicly available information, LEAP structures its investments as direct venture and growth rounds. The firm runs a co-investment model alongside its family office network rather than funneling capital into third-party funds. There is no public evidence that LEAP itself acts as an LP in other venture firms.

How is LEAP related to the family offices in its network?

The LEAP Family Office Network is an internal initiative led by General Partner Roberto Aguayo. It convenes Latin American family offices—including families with operating businesses such as Caffenio, on whose board Aguayo sits—to co-invest alongside LEAP on a deal-specific basis. The network is not a pooled fund vehicle; it functions as a curated syndicate that provides capital and portfolio-company introductions.

What investment stages does LEAP typically target?

The firm invests across early-stage seed, startup, and expansion or late-stage rounds, according to its own strategy disclosures. The portfolio includes companies at multiple maturity levels, from early bets like Snickerdoodle and Atipica to growth-stage names such as Finix and Gusto.

Which sectors does LEAP avoid?

LEAP does not publish an explicit exclusion list. Its investment thesis is organized around two themes—'Follow the Data Flows' and 'Follow the Money Flows'—which map primarily to data infrastructure, AI/ML, embedded finance, and cross-border fintech. The portfolio contains no observed exposure to biotech, hardtech, or heavy industrials, suggesting the firm stays within software and financial services.

Does LEAP maintain any philanthropic or educational structures?

The firm offers internship and fellowship programs, as noted on its contact page, but there is no public information about a separate philanthropic foundation, donor-advised fund, or impact investing carve-out. The family offices within the co-investment network may operate their own philanthropic vehicles independently of LEAP.

Profile maintained by using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.

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