About
I'm Alliv Samson, an entrepreneur, investor, mother and Filipino immigrant who calls Aotearoa New Zealand home. I co-founded Kami, the edtech company used by more than 75 million teachers and students worldwide, growing it from a small Auckland startup to a successful exit. Alongside my partner Hengjie Wang, I was recently named EY New Zealand Entrepreneur of the Year.
Today, my work lives at the intersection of education and entrepreneurship: through Hiraya Ventures, I back globally ambitious Kiwi founders, and through the Hiraya Foundation, I'm building something for the next generation of dreamers. Hiraya is a Filipino word meaning the fruit of one's hopes, dreams, and aspirations, and that's the thread tying it all together.
Highlights
2025
🏆 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Winner - New Zealand
The EY Entrepreneur of the Year programme shines a spotlight on entrepreneurs across New Zealand who master the artful balance of passion, determination, character, and skill to create businesses that address the most complex challenges and build a better working world.
2022
🏆 TIME Magazine 100 Most Influential Companies of the World
"During the pandemic, education-technology firm Kami, which lets teachers share learning resources, conduct virtual classes, provide feedback, and more, offered its products for free to its 32 million teachers and students in 180 countries, despite having no other revenue source. That move has paid off as districts made decisions later on about how to spend their money."
2021
🏆 Campaign Asia-Pacific Women Leading Change Awards - Young Business Leader Winner
Campaign’s 5th Women Leading Change Awards is setting out to celebrate women who lead, inspire, and motivate greatness across Asia-Pacific and champion the advancement of women in the marketing communications industry. As part of the Campaign’s programme to drive diversity and inclusion, the Women Leading Change Awards have celebrated the achievements of hundreds of outstanding women, from business leaders and change-makers to trailblazers and rising stars from across Asia-Pacific’s marketing communications industry.
2024
Kami - Exit to 300M
Kami took a majority investment from the Boston Venture Investment Fund, which valued the company at ~300M, making it one of the most successful tech exits in the country.
2021
🏆 New Zealander of the Year - Innovator of the Year Finalist
The New Zealander of the Year - Innovator of the Year Award – Te Pou Whakairo o te Tau recognises a person or group who, in the spirit of Kiwi inventiveness and resourcefulness, have created a better New Zealand.
2013
Co-founded Kami
Kami’s all-in-one platform turns any resource into interactive, accessible learning experiences with insights and intentional AI, proven to save teachers time and improve outcomes. With over 75 million users, Kami caters to classrooms in over 180 countries around the world,
2025
Acquired Book Creator
Kami acquired one of the most loved edtech companies in the world Book Creator.