MiLA Capital (Make in LA)

MiLA Capital is a Los Angeles-based venture capital firm, founded in 2015 by Noramay Cadena and Shaun Arora, with a focus on investing in early-stage hardware startups. Known for its hands-on approach, MiLA supports companies developing "tech you can touch" across sectors like food tech, ag tech, health and wellness, mobility, aerospace, and climate tech. The firm is dedicated to helping hardware-focused startups bring products to market more cost-efficiently, leveraging LA's unique resources and expertise. MiLA's investment strategy centers on pre-seed and seed-stage funding, with typical investments ranging from $100k to $1M. The fund has backed over 20 startups, including companies developing solutions for head trauma, climate change, and cutting-edge technologies in areas like water purification and satellite propulsion. Notable portfolio companies include PathSpot, Caban Systems, and Orbit Fab, reflecting MiLA’s commitment to innovative solutions with real-world impact. Diversity and inclusion are key to MiLA’s ethos. The firm actively recruits underrepresented founders—women, Latinx, Black, and LGBTQIA entrepreneurs—and advocates for systemic change within the venture ecosystem. Their portfolio reflects this focus, with over 30% of investments in companies led by female CEOs and a strong representation of immigrant founders. While MiLA Capital is no longer deploying new capital from its hardware fund, the firm remains engaged with its portfolio and continues to support the startup ecosystem.