LayJax Ventures

LayJax Ventures is a Beverly Hills-based early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2017 by Phil Haus and actor Zach Avery. The name combines Haus's daughter Layla and Avery's son Jaxon, who were born two days apart. The firm later rebranded to Haus Capital in 2018 but continues to be tracked under its original LayJax identity. The two-partner team focuses on pre-seed and seed investments in consumer-facing companies, with an average check size of approximately $190,000 and a range of $100,000 to $500,000. The firm is an active lead investor and often takes board seats. LayJax has made 16 investments across a consumer-concentrated portfolio spanning food and beverage, consumer goods, healthcare, marketplace, travel, and lifestyle. Named portfolio companies include Dream Pops (plant-based frozen desserts), Once Upon A Farm (organic baby food), LION Tea, Extra, Miku, ZitSticka (skincare, acquired), and Mapify (a Berlin-based social travel network, acquired). The most prominent exit was Bev, a canned wine brand acquired by E&J Gallo Winery in June 2023. The fund also participated in Lyft's IPO. LayJax's investment approach favors consumer brands and products at the earliest formation stage, where the firm can engage closely on brand strategy, product positioning, and early commercial development. Peak investment activity was in 2018, reflecting the firm's role as an inaugural institutional check for its portfolio companies. The firm's consumer-first focus and the founders' entertainment industry connections gave it access to consumer brands at a moment when direct-to-consumer business models were attracting significant retail and venture attention.