More on Kachuwa's newest building acquisition with Sender One

Kachuwa Impact Fund recently completed its newest impact-oriented commercial real estate investment with the acquisition of a 30,000-square-foot building in Los Angeles, California, which is home to a thriving Sender One Climbing gym.

Founded in 2012, Sender One Climbing LLC (S1C) operates five premier indoor climbing gyms across Greater Los Angeles and Orange County. More than just climbing facilities, Sender One locations offer yoga, fitness training, youth programs, parties, and community events—creating inclusive spaces that encourage both physical challenge and personal growth. After opening their first gym in Santa Ana in 2013, S1C expanded to a flagship location adjacent to LAX in 2017. Three additional gyms have opened in recent years, with a sixth location planned for 2026.

S1C was co-founded by Alice Kao (CEO), Wes Shih (CSO and General Counsel, and Alice’s husband), and Wes Chu (an early partner who remains an investor). The company was built around shared values of self-discovery, resilience, and connection through climbing. Today, the LAX location stands as S1C’s most profitable gym—an asset made even more valuable by the significant amount the company invested to transform the building into a world-class climbing facility.

When the gym’s longtime landlord passed away and the estate listed the property for sale, S1C faced a pivotal moment. Although five years remained on the lease, the founders were keenly aware of the importance of controlling their “real estate destiny” (our words, not theirs). Despite Alice’s impressive track record as a multi-time SBA borrower—and her recognition as the 2020 California Small Business Person of the Year—S1C’s application for an SBA loan was denied. A recent policy change disqualified businesses with any foreign investors, and S1C counts a few non-U.S. citizens among its 53 investors.

Kachuwa was approached as a mission-aligned partner to acquire the building, and the opportunity proved to be a true “triple-word score” for impact alignment. The investment supports a female-led company, one in which 68% of investors identify as BIPOC, and a facility that includes an on-site solar PV system. Among S1C’s 205 employees, 55% identify as BIPOC, 50% are women, and 2% are non-binary.

Recently, Kachuwa board members Blake Jones, Yichen Feng, Liz Peña, and Alicia Robb visited the LAX facility, meeting with Alice, Wes, and the Sender One team. The visit included a tour of the gym—and, for some, a firsthand introduction to climbing—bringing the investment’s impact to life in a very tangible way. We’re very excited for our co-op to support Alice, Wes, and the Sender One team!!

 From left to right: Yichen Feng, Wes Shih, Dersa Cyr, Alice Kao, Liz Peña, Blake Jones, and Alicia Robb