La Frontera 🌵 Podcast, Episode 14 - First Check, Lasting Impact: Remembering Ali Jamal of First Check Ventures
Ali Jamal
Hey folks,
Cyrus here.
This week’s episode is unlike any we’ve done before.
It’s a tribute to Ali Jamal, founding partner of First Check Ventures, who passed away suddenly in July. Ali was more than an investor — he was a quiet force in the Latin American startup ecosystem. The kind of person who led not with bravado, but with conviction, generosity, and an unwavering belief in founders long before others were ready to bet on them.
I first met Ali at Colombia Tech Week last year. Technically, we officially met about 15 minutes before we were crammed into an Uber together, headed to an event he said I should come to. That kind of energy was classic Ali.
We never did get to record the episode he and I had discussed. But in the weeks following his passing, I reached out to founders and VCs who knew Ali and asked them to share their stories as a way to preserve our memories of Ali. Everyone had a story, and every story had the same themes: humility, authenticity, generosity, and conviction.
Mike Ma (Sidecut Ventures) recalls how Ali “just opened up his playbook” without expecting anything in return—and how every LatAm founder seemed to already know him.
Andres Cano (Pygma) shares how a single 30-minute call with Ali shifted the entire trajectory of their firm’s strategy.
Martin Tobias (Incisive Ventures) remembers how Ali always said “yes” to everything—poker nights, co-investments, and founders with nothing but a dream
Juan Sebastian Jaramillo (Pari) reflects on how Ali didn’t just back the company, he backed the human first.
Ihar Mahaniok (Geek Ventures) calls him “the only one who could find future YC founders at $2M valuations.”
Alex Zorychta (Not Yet Ventures) describes how Ali became a model for staying authentic in a world that often rewards polish over principles.
Ivan Montoya (NuMundo Ventures) highlights the role Ali played as a true first check in ecosystems that desperately needed one.
You can listen to this special episode via your preferred platform below.
This episode isn’t everything, but it’s something. A way to remember and to carry forward the energy Ali brought into every room. I hope it inspires us all, in some small way, to show up for others the way he always did.
Thanks for listening.
The shuttle to Daniel’s finca
Ali and Andres
Thanks for reading!
If you enjoyed this newsletter, please consider sharing La Frontera 🌵 with your friends and colleagues. Let’s continue building a cross-border community of innovators! 🚀