O'Shaughnessy Ventures Backs Vision to Build 'The New Yorker' for the Spanish-Speaking World

GREENWICH, Conn. – April 17, 2026 – O'Shaughnessy Ventures (OSV), the creative investment firm founded by quantitative finance pioneer Jim O'Shaughnessy, has awarded a prestigious O'Shaughnessy Fellowship to writer and editor José Luis Sabau. The grant will fuel the expansion of Perpetuo, Sabau's burgeoning online literary magazine, with the ambitious goal of establishing it as the definitive cultural and literary voice for the global Spanish-speaking community.

Launched in 2025, Perpetuo has already demonstrated significant traction, reaching over 40,000 readers a month and publishing works from more than 300 writers across the Hispanic world. With the backing of the fellowship, which provides up to $100,000 in equity-free funding, Sabau aims to scale the publication into a digital institution on par with iconic magazines like The New Yorker.

A New Digital Podium for a Global Language

In a literary landscape often fragmented by geography and dominated by traditional publishing houses, Perpetuo has emerged as a unifying digital force. The magazine publishes a mix of creative writing and nonfiction, providing a platform for both established and emerging voices from an array of Spanish-speaking countries. Sabau's vision is not merely to publish content, but to cultivate a community and set a new standard for literary excellence in the digital age.

"This fellowship is a recognition of an entire language," Sabau stated. "It supports the hundreds of writers we've thus far published and the thousands of readers we've thus far reached. Above all, it is the foundation to reach an even wider stage and to tell stories in Spanish that never had a podium." This sentiment captures the core challenge many writers face: a lack of accessible, high-profile platforms dedicated to Spanish-language literature. Digital-native publications like Perpetuo can bypass traditional gatekeepers, offering immediate access to a vast and eager readership that spans continents.

Jim O'Shaughnessy, OSV's founder and CEO, highlighted the cultural importance of this endeavor. "The Spanish-speaking world has produced some of the greatest writers in human history," he commented. "José is determined to make sure the next generation of voices is discovered, published and read as widely as possible. We're honored to be backing him."

The Visionary Behind Perpetuo

José Luis Sabau is uniquely equipped for the challenge. His background blends deep literary and intellectual pursuits with a proven entrepreneurial drive. A graduate of Stanford University with a bachelor's degree in political science and economics and a master's in Latin American studies, Sabau has a firm grasp of the cultural and political currents shaping the region he serves. His journalistic and essay work has appeared in world-renowned publications, including Politico, El País, and the Miami Herald.

This is not his first foray into building a media platform from the ground up. At the age of 15, he founded a news outlet in his home state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, which grew to an impressive 200,000 followers. This early experience demonstrates the resourcefulness and "proof-of-work" that OSV actively seeks in its fellows. Sabau is also an accomplished author in his own right, with two essay collections to his name: "Los Constitucionalistas" and the forthcoming "A dónde van las golondrinas." His dual role as both a creator and a curator gives him a unique perspective on the needs of the writers he champions.

A New Model of Creative Patronage

The O'Shaughnessy Fellowship is a cornerstone of OSV's broader mission to function as a "creative company that inspires creators." Launched in 2023, the one-year, equity-free program is designed to empower bold individuals across science, technology, and the arts. By providing a $100,000 grant and access to a global network of experts, OSV offers a modern form of patronage that prioritizes the creator's vision and ownership.

This model stands in stark contrast to traditional venture capital, which typically requires an equity stake and a clear path to a financial exit. OSV's selection criteria focus on personal agency and a strong portfolio of past work rather than formal credentials, opening the door to talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. The program's alumni are working on projects ranging from preserving endangered languages with AI and developing affordable prosthetics to advancing synthetic biology and documentary filmmaking. Sabau's fellowship underscores the firm's commitment to placing cultural and intellectual projects on equal footing with technological innovation.

Navigating the Landscape of Spanish-Language Publishing

Perpetuo's mission is particularly timely given the dynamics of the modern publishing industry. While the Spanish-language book market is enormous—encompassing Spain, Latin America, and a U.S. Hispanic population of over 60 million—writers often face significant barriers. Mainstream publishers have been slow to embrace diverse voices, and manuscripts written in Spanish can be overlooked. Furthermore, writers often feel pressured to conform to stereotypes or limit their narratives to fit a marketable mold.

Digital platforms have become a critical counter-current, democratizing access and allowing writers to connect directly with readers. Perpetuo is positioned to play a key role in this transformation by creating a curated, high-quality destination that combines the accessibility of a digital platform with the prestige of a traditional literary journal. By fostering talent and building a dedicated readership, Sabau's magazine is not just publishing stories; it is helping to build the infrastructure for a more vibrant and interconnected global literary ecosystem.

As Sabau leverages the fellowship to expand Perpetuo's reach and influence, his work represents a significant investment in the future of storytelling. Sabau is the third fellow announced in 2026, and O'Shaughnessy Ventures continues its search for the next wave of creators, with applications for its fellowship program remaining open through April 30, 2026.