HPA Talent has signed New York-based stand-up comedian, digital creator and entrepreneur Alexis Carabaño for management, the company announced on October 8, 2026. The move underscores a broader shift in the entertainment industry: comedians are no longer just stage performers but multifaceted brands with the potential to engage audiences across touring, television, digital media, and live experiences.
Carabaño's path to comedy is unconventional. Before dedicating himself fully to stand-up, he and his brother spent nearly two decades building VSPOT, a pioneering plant-based Latin restaurant concept in Brooklyn. He first honed his comedic skills by hosting shows inside his own restaurant, a grassroots approach that eventually led to winning a national HBO Latino comedy competition for English-speaking Latin American performers. He appeared on the HBO/Max special "Entre Nos: The Winners," has performed throughout New York City, and recently opened for comedian Marcello Hernandez. He is also the founder of St. Marks Comedy Club, a speakeasy-style venue in the East Village.
For HPA Talent, Carabaño represents a new breed of talent. "Alexis is exactly the type of talent we look for at HPA because there are multiple layers to who he is and what we can build," said Paris D'Jon, CEO of HPA Talent. "He's funny, he understands business and social media, and most importantly, he knows how to connect with an audience. We see opportunities for Alexis well beyond the stand-up stage, including touring, television, digital content, brand partnerships, hosting, sports, lifestyle and entertainment."
The signing is significant because it reflects how the comedy business is evolving. As D'Jon noted, "Comedy today is much bigger than simply walking on stage with a microphone. The comedians who can build communities, create content, host, work with brands and develop original concepts have tremendous opportunities. Alexis already has many of those pieces in place. Our job now is to connect the dots." This perspective highlights a strategic shift: management companies are now seeking talent who can leverage multiple platforms to build sustainable careers.
Carabaño's entrepreneurial background gives him a distinct advantage. His experience running a restaurant and founding a comedy club demonstrates business acumen that can translate into brand partnerships and content creation. He has also begun developing comedy concepts tied to soccer culture, such as "Juggling Jokes," a live event combining stand-up, professional athletes, soccer culture, games, and freestyle entertainment. This cross-industry appeal positions him to tap into sports and lifestyle markets that traditional comedians might not reach.
Under the new management relationship, HPA Talent will work with Carabaño to expand his stand-up career across touring, television, digital media, brand partnerships, hosting, and other entertainment opportunities. "I'm excited to have HPA in my corner as I enter this new chapter," said Carabaño. "I actually started stand-up by hosting shows inside my own restaurant, which eventually led to some incredible opportunities. For a long time, I was apprehensive about signing with a manager or agent, but Paris and his team made me feel both comfortable and confident about fully immersing myself in entertainment. With their experience and track record, I'm excited about what we can build together and ready to put the same energy I've poured into my businesses into building the Alexis Carabaño brand."
Carabaño continues to perform regularly throughout New York City while developing new comedy, digital, and live entertainment projects. His signing with HPA Talent signals that the next generation of comedy stars will be defined not just by their stand-up sets but by their ability to create, collaborate, and connect across multiple platforms.
