Supporting the next generation of
Asian American founders
We are founders, executives and industry leaders who invest in innovative companies at all stages.
Talk to UsOur Mission
Hyphen Capital backs Asian American entrepreneurs who traditionally have been raised to play it safe, with the myth that effort leads to outcomes. These founders are tired of jumping through hoops and taking the worn down path that was planned out for them. They are no longer content with being limited by the bamboo ceiling and instead are ready to build their own houses. These are the founders who have the audacity to wave off the doubters and bet on themselves.
Most people are unaware that Asian Americans founded some of the most well-known and successful companies in the world: YouTube, LinkedIn, Zoom, DoorDash, Twitch and Fitbit to name a few. Their stories are rarely told, and sometimes it even takes being called out to get coverage. Hyphen aims to make it so that these stories are no longer considered outliers but the norm, because we don't need permission to dance.
We are looking to write one of the first checks to support these builders to start on their journey, because early stage capital is often the most critical and life-changing funding they will ever receive. We don't need a lead investor, because we believe in the founders and have conviction in the work they are doing. When Hyphen invests, you get more than capital, you get access to a network of fellow founders, corporate executives, lawyers and professionals who have extensive experience, insight and access to help our portfolio companies succeed.
Most people are unaware that Asian Americans founded some of the most well-known and successful companies in the world: YouTube, LinkedIn, Zoom, DoorDash, Twitch and Fitbit to name a few. Their stories are rarely told, and sometimes it even takes being called out to get coverage. Hyphen aims to make it so that these stories are no longer considered outliers but the norm, because we don't need permission to dance.
We are looking to write one of the first checks to support these builders to start on their journey, because early stage capital is often the most critical and life-changing funding they will ever receive. We don't need a lead investor, because we believe in the founders and have conviction in the work they are doing. When Hyphen invests, you get more than capital, you get access to a network of fellow founders, corporate executives, lawyers and professionals who have extensive experience, insight and access to help our portfolio companies succeed.
Our Companies
.png)
Our Investors
Hyphen Capital was founded and led by Dave Lu. Dave is a Silicon Valley veteran and started his career in tech at Yahoo! in the late 90s. He sat around the corner from Jerry Yang, an entrepreneurial inspiration for many Asian Americans including himself. He went on to work at other iconic technology companies including Apple, eBay and Cisco before starting his first company Fanpop. After growing the company to 40 million users, he went on to start his second company Expo, backed by True Ventures, Uncork Capital and CRV.
Dave has always been passionate about Asian American issues. Most recently, he led the effort to take a stand against the rise in Asian hate crimes by publishing an open letter in the Wall Street Journal and rallying thousands of leaders to sign in support including President George Bush, Andre Iguodala, and CEOs of Google, LinkedIn, Foot Locker and hundreds of others. This movement led to founding Stand with Asian Americans, a non-profit focused on fighting discrimination for Asians in the workplace and communities. He also produced the Emmy-winning HBO documentary "38 at the Garden" and sits on the advisory board for the Smithsonian's Asian Pacific American Center.
Dave sensed a lack of community for founders of East and Southeast Asian descent and started Asian American Founders Circle in 2011. Inspired by his fellow founders, he wanted to do more for the next generation and pay it forward by investing in them. Thus Hyphen Capital was born.
Dave has always been passionate about Asian American issues. Most recently, he led the effort to take a stand against the rise in Asian hate crimes by publishing an open letter in the Wall Street Journal and rallying thousands of leaders to sign in support including President George Bush, Andre Iguodala, and CEOs of Google, LinkedIn, Foot Locker and hundreds of others. This movement led to founding Stand with Asian Americans, a non-profit focused on fighting discrimination for Asians in the workplace and communities. He also produced the Emmy-winning HBO documentary "38 at the Garden" and sits on the advisory board for the Smithsonian's Asian Pacific American Center.
Dave sensed a lack of community for founders of East and Southeast Asian descent and started Asian American Founders Circle in 2011. Inspired by his fellow founders, he wanted to do more for the next generation and pay it forward by investing in them. Thus Hyphen Capital was born.
The Hyphen Network
We've brought together a community of the most successful Asian American founders, corporate executives and leaders in the world to invest in the next generation.
-p-500.jpg)