Founders asking how to get funding from LEAP Global Partners should know this is the cross-border VC built specifically to bridge Latin American and US Latino-led startups. Founded in 2016 and based in Palo Alto, California, LEAP Global Partners develops, connects and invests in talented Latin American and Latino entrepreneurs building impactful global solutions — backed by a strategic LP network of prominent Mexican family enterprises and US investors.

Investment thesis: the LatAm–US bridge

The firm's thesis is a deliberate bridge: invest in Latin American and Latino entrepreneurs whose companies can operate across borders, pairing them with US capital and networks. Debut fund LEAP Partners I was launched in July 2017 with a $15 million first close, according to FinSMEs — though the fund's total target was never publicly stated.

Sectors and stages

The firm focuses on Seed and Series A rounds across fintech, marketplaces, health, education, the shared economy, media, SaaS, e-commerce and AI-driven software.

Portfolio: Listo, Leal, Paystand and more

Notable investments include Listo (Listo Financial) — LEAP led its $8.5 million Series A — and Leal, the Bogotá retail-tech company whose $5 million pre-Series B was co-led by LEAP and Rakuten Capital in January 2024. The portfolio also includes Paystand, Insikt, Wizeline, Gusto, Finix, Caplight, MiSalud, InFlow, Checksum and Rêv Worldwide.

Team and programs

The firm is led by Managing Partner Roman Leal (ex-PayPal, ex-Goldman Sachs; focuses on fintech and SaaS) and General Partner Roberto Aguayo (co-founder of Mint Machine Technologies; focuses on SaaS and e-commerce), with Paulo Herman and Cuco Vega as Vice Presidents. Beyond capital, the firm runs the LEAP Family Office Network, the LEAP Connect and RTN Connect event series, and a Founder Spotlight series — founder-facing infrastructure that doubles as a network-building flywheel.

How to apply for funding from LEAP Global Partners

The firm's official site publishes no pitch form, pitch email or contact page as of October 2026, so there is no documented front door. Founders realistically reach the team through a warm introduction — ideally via someone in its family-office network, its event communities (LEAP Connect, RTN Connect) or a portfolio founder.

Why it matters for founders

LEAP Global Partners is one of the few seed/Series A firms explicitly built for Latino-led, cross-border companies. If your startup sits between Latin America and the US market, work the firm's event ecosystem — LEAP Connect and RTN Connect — before you need the cheque.