Cambodia Investment Review
Singapore-registered venture studio Satori Giants has made its fourth investment of 2024, supporting Philippine startup Supafaya, a marketplace operating system designed to empower Southeast Asia’s content creators. The investment adds to Supafaya’s pre-seed funding round, which now exceeds six figures, marking the firm’s first investment in a Philippine-based company.
Supafaya’s Vision: Empowering Creators with Independent Marketplaces
Supafaya, registered in Singapore, has set an ambitious goal of building 100 marketplaces for content creators over the next decade. The platform enables creators to independently distribute branded products and enhance engagement with their fanbases. This aligns with a growing trend, exemplified by global influencers like Mr. Beast, who have launched products through independent channels to maintain brand control and establish closer relationships with followers.
The startup has already launched its first marketplace, FlipX, with Dane Grospe, a prominent sneaker influencer in the Philippines. Supafaya is currently working on its second marketplace with the country’s leading fragrance influencer and planning a third with a major Southeast Asian gaming community. The company’s goal is to launch five marketplaces by the end of 2024, with further expansion across the region in 2025.
Experienced Founders Drive Supafaya’s Growth
Supafaya is co-founded by Franz Taborlupa and Owen Cuales, both veterans of the content creation and collectibles space. Franz, who has been a reseller of video games and clothing for over 10 years, previously managed ticketing for Conquest, the largest content creator event in the Philippines, which attracted over 120,000 attendees. Owen, a long-time sneaker reseller, founded 7T Ventures, an esports event management company, and previously worked at Oak Drive Ventures, a venture capital firm in Manila.
Reflecting on the partnership with Satori Giants, Owen Cuales, Co-Founder and CEO of Supafaya, stated in a press release, “After meeting the Satori Giants team in Thailand, I’m confident we made the right choice. Their expertise, network, and passion align perfectly with our vision. They’re incredibly sharp and will bring immense value as investors to our company.”
Satori Giants’ Role in Scaling Southeast Asia Startups
Satori Giants, which has a reputation for being hands-on with its portfolio companies, sees significant potential in Supafaya. Dominic Kalousek, Co-Founder and CFO of Satori Giants, explained, “Owen and Franz exemplify the kind of founders we actively seek to partner with at Satori Giants. Their exceptional drive, coupled with a razor-sharp understanding of the creator economy, sets them apart in a crowded field. What truly impressed us was their unparalleled sense of urgency – they don’t just plan, they execute with precision and speed. We’re thrilled to support this dynamic team and be part of Supafaya’s journey.”
In addition to Satori Giants’ backing, Supafaya is part of two prestigious accelerator programs—AppWorks in Taiwan and Antler in Singapore—and has gained support from the Philippines’ leading startup accelerator, Founders Launchpad, which has an acceptance rate of less than 1%. The startup is also working with several strategic angel investors, including Richard Armstrong and CrossFund, as it looks to expand regionally in 2025.
Satori Giants’ investment will help Supafaya complete its participation in the AppWorks and Antler programs while also facilitating the launch of new partnerships with major content creators across Southeast Asia. The startup plans to announce these collaborations in the coming months.
For more information on Satori Giants and Supafaya, visit their websites and Crunchbase profiles.
Satori Giants website: satorigiants.com
Supafaya website: supafaya.com
