Hiraya Ventures leads NZD $1.2M investment in edtech platform Komodo
- Jul 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 16
Kami co-founders launch Hiraya Ventures and continue their edtech legacy, supercharging Komodo’s global growth
Auckland, New Zealand, 11 November 2025 – Hiraya Ventures, the family office led by Kami co-founders Alliv Samson and Hengjie Wang, today announced one of its first investment ventures, leading a NZD $1.2 million pre-series A round into NZ-based startup Komodo, a data-driven education platform tackling school wellbeing.
Designed to accelerate Komodo’s international growth, Hiraya’s investment will provide capital alongside deep sector expertise. With Hengjie Wang joining Komodo’s board of directors, Komodo will gain access to valuable networks and strategic insights from the Kami founders, who successfully expanded their platform into 180 countries and 92% of US schools.
Created with input from psychologists, Komodo empowers students and enables schools to make positive and effective wellbeing interventions. Chris Bacon, Komodo CEO and co-founder said, "We're on a mission to revolutionise the educational landscape by prioritising the holistic development of students and teachers. Welcoming Hiraya Ventures on board as partners brings immeasurable value.”
“We have major global ambitions, with no signs of slowing down, currently operating in hundreds of schools across more than 30 countries. Learning from Hengjie and Alliv, who successfully scaled Kami into the US, UK and many other markets, will help us accelerate Komodo's momentum overseas,” Bacon continues.
After securing landmark investment for Kami from Boston Ventures Investment Partners (BVIP) in August 2024, Hengjie and Alliv founded Hiraya Ventures to support the next generation of Kiwi businesses and tech innovators that have proven international traction.
The investment in Komodo reflects this ambition. It also represents the duo’s deep-rooted commitment to improving education systems, using evidence-based, comprehensive software solutions to address the diverse needs of school communities around the world.
Hengjie Wang, director at Hiraya Ventures, and CEO and co-founder of Kami, said, "Alliv and I recognise how much operating in a welcoming and supportive environment has contributed to our growth and success. Hiraya Ventures is our way to give back to the New Zealand business and tech sectors, helping the next generation of Kiwi innovators thrive on the world stage."
"Cracking the US market was a critical part of our own journey with Kami, and we know first hand that it's a difficult market for Kiwi brands to break into. We are thrilled to now be part of Komodo's story, working closely with them and providing the insights, learnings and connections that will support their growth ambitions."
New Zealand Growth Capital partners, Ex-Reddit CEO Ellen Pao, and several existing investors are also participating in the round.
Hiraya Ventures has dedicated $10 million to be invested in New Zealand-founded companies over the next several years. Investments will range from NZD $300,000 to $1 million and will focus on a range of sectors, including technology, software, fashion and film. Key evaluation criteria include demonstration of international sales activity and global market testing.
Rooted in the Filipino word Hiraya, meaning “May your dreams come true,” Hiraya Ventures was founded on the belief that the most extraordinary companies begin with a bold dream and a clear purpose. Its current investments include Icehouse Ventures, Previously Unavailable, Halter, Tracksuit, and Yu Mei.
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For media enquiries, please contact: hello@hirayaventures.co.nz
