Accelerating Asia
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Aspex Management was founded in 2018 by Hermes Li Ho Kei who was previously the executive MD and Head of Asia Equities at Och-Ziff Capital Management, aka OZ Management. Prior to joining OZ in 2011 Li worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co in Hong Kong.The London School of Economics graduate is now the chief investment officer at Aspex. The Hong Kong firm focuses on equity investments in Pan-Asia, specializing in sectors with long-term market growth potential and companies undergoing structural changes.Aspex led the $64m funding round for South Korean fintech unicorn Toss in August 2019. The P2P money transfer service platform Toss is created by Viva Republica backed by PayPal. Other participants in the round included existing Toss investors Kleiner Perkins, Altos Ventures, Singapore's GIC, Sequoia Capital China, Goodwater Capital and Bessemer Venture Partners.In May 2020, Aspex also invested in another startup Market Kurly, a grocery-delivery service provider that became South Korea’s latest unicorn via the Series E funding round that secured $328m led by DST Global. In July, Aspex also joined the $900m Series C+ funding round of Xpeng Motors, Tesla’s EV rival in China.
Aspex Management was founded in 2018 by Hermes Li Ho Kei who was previously the executive MD and Head of Asia Equities at Och-Ziff Capital Management, aka OZ Management. Prior to joining OZ in 2011 Li worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co in Hong Kong.The London School of Economics graduate is now the chief investment officer at Aspex. The Hong Kong firm focuses on equity investments in Pan-Asia, specializing in sectors with long-term market growth potential and companies undergoing structural changes.Aspex led the $64m funding round for South Korean fintech unicorn Toss in August 2019. The P2P money transfer service platform Toss is created by Viva Republica backed by PayPal. Other participants in the round included existing Toss investors Kleiner Perkins, Altos Ventures, Singapore's GIC, Sequoia Capital China, Goodwater Capital and Bessemer Venture Partners.In May 2020, Aspex also invested in another startup Market Kurly, a grocery-delivery service provider that became South Korea’s latest unicorn via the Series E funding round that secured $328m led by DST Global. In July, Aspex also joined the $900m Series C+ funding round of Xpeng Motors, Tesla’s EV rival in China.
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited
Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited was founded as a jewelry store in Guangzhou in 1929. Listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in December 2011, it is one of the world's largest jewelry companies, with total assets of around US$8 billion. The Group owns several jewelry brands, including Chow Tai Fook, Chow Tai Fook T MARK, Hearts On Fire, MONOLOGUE and SOINLOVE, and operates a retail network in East Asia and the US. The Group invests in other firms through its VMS Legend Investment Fund, which has funded companies from fields such as fintech, hardware, healthcare, streaming media and cloud.
Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited was founded as a jewelry store in Guangzhou in 1929. Listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in December 2011, it is one of the world's largest jewelry companies, with total assets of around US$8 billion. The Group owns several jewelry brands, including Chow Tai Fook, Chow Tai Fook T MARK, Hearts On Fire, MONOLOGUE and SOINLOVE, and operates a retail network in East Asia and the US. The Group invests in other firms through its VMS Legend Investment Fund, which has funded companies from fields such as fintech, hardware, healthcare, streaming media and cloud.
Evolution Media China (EMC) was founded in Beijing by Evolution Media Partners, the investment arm of American talent and sports agency Creative Artists Agency and Evolution Media Capital, in early 2016. EMC currently manages a total of US$350 million in assets. The firm invests primary in startups with potential from the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on China, in sectors such as media, entertainment, sports, advertising and lifestyle.
Evolution Media China (EMC) was founded in Beijing by Evolution Media Partners, the investment arm of American talent and sports agency Creative Artists Agency and Evolution Media Capital, in early 2016. EMC currently manages a total of US$350 million in assets. The firm invests primary in startups with potential from the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on China, in sectors such as media, entertainment, sports, advertising and lifestyle.
Sofina began in 1898 as Société Financière de Transport et d’Entreprises Industrielles, an engineering conglomerate in Belgium. In the late 1960s, Sofina changed course to become an investment company. As a holding company, its major investments lie in the consumer goods, energy, and distribution sectors, with stakes in companies like Danone and communications satellite operator SES. It has also been involved in various venture capital investment activities, both as an LP to other VCs and as a VC itself, running the Sofina Growth portfolio. The Sofina Growth portfolio spans a wide range of sectors and geographies, from China to Southeast Asia, with investments in notable companies like Zilingo, Byju’s and Kopi Kenangan.
Sofina began in 1898 as Société Financière de Transport et d’Entreprises Industrielles, an engineering conglomerate in Belgium. In the late 1960s, Sofina changed course to become an investment company. As a holding company, its major investments lie in the consumer goods, energy, and distribution sectors, with stakes in companies like Danone and communications satellite operator SES. It has also been involved in various venture capital investment activities, both as an LP to other VCs and as a VC itself, running the Sofina Growth portfolio. The Sofina Growth portfolio spans a wide range of sectors and geographies, from China to Southeast Asia, with investments in notable companies like Zilingo, Byju’s and Kopi Kenangan.
Baillee Gifford is a leading UK investment firm founded in Edinburgh in 1908. The firm is wholly owned by the partners, with its HQ in Edinburgh and offices in New York and London. A fourth office was opened in Hong Kong in 2015.Baillie Gifford was originally a law firm that switched to investments in 1909. Its first fund was The Straits Mortgage and Trust Company Limited that was set up to lend money to rubber planters in Asia. Clients include large US pension funds and international corporations in Japan and Australia. As of June 2020, assets under management were valued at £262bn.
Baillee Gifford is a leading UK investment firm founded in Edinburgh in 1908. The firm is wholly owned by the partners, with its HQ in Edinburgh and offices in New York and London. A fourth office was opened in Hong Kong in 2015.Baillie Gifford was originally a law firm that switched to investments in 1909. Its first fund was The Straits Mortgage and Trust Company Limited that was set up to lend money to rubber planters in Asia. Clients include large US pension funds and international corporations in Japan and Australia. As of June 2020, assets under management were valued at £262bn.
Lupa Systems is a private investment company with offices in New York and Mumbai. It was founded in 2019 by Rupert Murdoch’s son James Murdoch with $2bn funding from the overall $71bn sales of the family's 21st Century Fox empire to Disney.Lupa focuses on tech companies in the media industry, as well as impact-driven startups focused on environmental sustainability and emerging markets, particularly in Asia. According to a recent report, Lupa is looking to launch new funds, raising about $150m for each fund from family offices in India. The firm has invested in about 12 companies to date.
Lupa Systems is a private investment company with offices in New York and Mumbai. It was founded in 2019 by Rupert Murdoch’s son James Murdoch with $2bn funding from the overall $71bn sales of the family's 21st Century Fox empire to Disney.Lupa focuses on tech companies in the media industry, as well as impact-driven startups focused on environmental sustainability and emerging markets, particularly in Asia. According to a recent report, Lupa is looking to launch new funds, raising about $150m for each fund from family offices in India. The firm has invested in about 12 companies to date.
Founded in 1997, Seventure Partners is one of Europe’s most prolific VC investors with a portfolio of over 200 startups across both tech and non-tech sectors. The French VC has also managed more than 40 exits in total. It mainly focuses on fintech and insurtech, French and German startups and in life sciences in Europe, North America and Asia.Its five funds cover different market segments, ranging from €24m–€200m, with investments of €500,000–€10m per round. Total funding for a company can reach €20m, right through the early to late stages. Recent investments include the $6.7m Series A round of US biotech Dermala and the $10.7m Series A round of US self-cleaning water bottle startup LARQ.
Founded in 1997, Seventure Partners is one of Europe’s most prolific VC investors with a portfolio of over 200 startups across both tech and non-tech sectors. The French VC has also managed more than 40 exits in total. It mainly focuses on fintech and insurtech, French and German startups and in life sciences in Europe, North America and Asia.Its five funds cover different market segments, ranging from €24m–€200m, with investments of €500,000–€10m per round. Total funding for a company can reach €20m, right through the early to late stages. Recent investments include the $6.7m Series A round of US biotech Dermala and the $10.7m Series A round of US self-cleaning water bottle startup LARQ.
Singapore's government-owned investor has a net portfolio value of just over S$300bn, with assets mainly in Asia and Singapore. In recent years it has begun investing in internet and tech companies in emerging markets, including in neighboring Indonesia and other Asian countries.As a state investor, Temasek aligns its investment portfolio and goals with areas that are relevant to Singapore’s national agenda. For example, to mitigate and reduce the effects of climate change, Temasek has set a commitment to reduce the carbon emissions of its portfolio companies, and invest in companies providing decarbonization solutions. It is also investing in biotechnology, medical technology, agritech and foodtech companies, which are some new focus areas in Singapore’s industrial development.
Singapore's government-owned investor has a net portfolio value of just over S$300bn, with assets mainly in Asia and Singapore. In recent years it has begun investing in internet and tech companies in emerging markets, including in neighboring Indonesia and other Asian countries.As a state investor, Temasek aligns its investment portfolio and goals with areas that are relevant to Singapore’s national agenda. For example, to mitigate and reduce the effects of climate change, Temasek has set a commitment to reduce the carbon emissions of its portfolio companies, and invest in companies providing decarbonization solutions. It is also investing in biotechnology, medical technology, agritech and foodtech companies, which are some new focus areas in Singapore’s industrial development.
Founded in Washington DC in 2016, AV Ventures is co-founded by US not-for-profit organizations, the Agricultural Cooperative Development International and Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance.AV Ventures focuses on supporting SMEs that facilitate financing for farmers to improve sustainable supply chain management and boost social impact in Africa and Central Asia. Investments in tech startups include the $790,000 seed round of AgroCenta in January 2021. Through AV Frontiers in Bishkek, the VC also recently participated in April’s investment round of Kyrgyzstan-based ololoAkJol Resort, a hub for digital nomads, or independent remote workers.
Founded in Washington DC in 2016, AV Ventures is co-founded by US not-for-profit organizations, the Agricultural Cooperative Development International and Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance.AV Ventures focuses on supporting SMEs that facilitate financing for farmers to improve sustainable supply chain management and boost social impact in Africa and Central Asia. Investments in tech startups include the $790,000 seed round of AgroCenta in January 2021. Through AV Frontiers in Bishkek, the VC also recently participated in April’s investment round of Kyrgyzstan-based ololoAkJol Resort, a hub for digital nomads, or independent remote workers.
Jungle Ventures was founded by serial entrepreneur Anurag Srivastava and business angel Amit Anand in Singapore. Anurag arrived in Singapore in 1993 and established interior design Space Matrix group in 2006. Amit was a vice chairman of Business Angels Network South East Asia (BANSEA). He is currently a member of the Advisory Council for Ethics in AI & Data in Singapore.The VC specializes in the finance, retail, software, media, travel and hospitality sectors. Investments include budget hotel network RedDoorz, microfinancing fintech Kredivo, photography services platform SweetEscape and digital logistics Waresix.
Jungle Ventures was founded by serial entrepreneur Anurag Srivastava and business angel Amit Anand in Singapore. Anurag arrived in Singapore in 1993 and established interior design Space Matrix group in 2006. Amit was a vice chairman of Business Angels Network South East Asia (BANSEA). He is currently a member of the Advisory Council for Ethics in AI & Data in Singapore.The VC specializes in the finance, retail, software, media, travel and hospitality sectors. Investments include budget hotel network RedDoorz, microfinancing fintech Kredivo, photography services platform SweetEscape and digital logistics Waresix.
Founded in 1813 as a small grain-trading firm in Arlon, France (now Belgium), Continental Grain Company (CGC) is now headquartered in New York. It has operations in 10 countries and employs over 13,500 people worldwide. Business activities include animal feeds, aquaculture and meat production.Besides interests in the food, agribusiness and commodities sectors, CGC also manages different asset classes like private equity, listed securities and venture capital. Its investment portfolio includes more than 30 food and agribusiness companies, ranging from early-stage ventures to established market leaders across the US, China and Latin America.CGC Asia mainly invests in feed milling, animal husbandry, meat production and processing businesses in the region. Direct investments are made through Continental Capital Limited in China, focusing on high‐growth food and agribusiness firms.
Founded in 1813 as a small grain-trading firm in Arlon, France (now Belgium), Continental Grain Company (CGC) is now headquartered in New York. It has operations in 10 countries and employs over 13,500 people worldwide. Business activities include animal feeds, aquaculture and meat production.Besides interests in the food, agribusiness and commodities sectors, CGC also manages different asset classes like private equity, listed securities and venture capital. Its investment portfolio includes more than 30 food and agribusiness companies, ranging from early-stage ventures to established market leaders across the US, China and Latin America.CGC Asia mainly invests in feed milling, animal husbandry, meat production and processing businesses in the region. Direct investments are made through Continental Capital Limited in China, focusing on high‐growth food and agribusiness firms.
Founded in 2013 in Singapore, VVNP is a future-food solutions-orientated investor with a special interest in science-based companies that have the ability to scale global solutions, especially within Asia. It invests from seed stage to Series C level. Typical investments range from $300,000 to $3m and the investor has launched two funds to date. The first raised $40m and invested in seven companies globally, while the second was created in 2020, targeting $150m in total investment.The VC’s most recent investments include a €271,000 pre-seed investment round in Dutch poultry animal welfare biotech In Ovo in March 2021, and leading the as-yet-uncompleted 6m Swiss franc (approximately $6.56m) seed round in Swiss biotech SwissDeCode in January 2021 – a company that applies DNA testing to food traceability.
Founded in 2013 in Singapore, VVNP is a future-food solutions-orientated investor with a special interest in science-based companies that have the ability to scale global solutions, especially within Asia. It invests from seed stage to Series C level. Typical investments range from $300,000 to $3m and the investor has launched two funds to date. The first raised $40m and invested in seven companies globally, while the second was created in 2020, targeting $150m in total investment.The VC’s most recent investments include a €271,000 pre-seed investment round in Dutch poultry animal welfare biotech In Ovo in March 2021, and leading the as-yet-uncompleted 6m Swiss franc (approximately $6.56m) seed round in Swiss biotech SwissDeCode in January 2021 – a company that applies DNA testing to food traceability.
Founded in Sydney in 2004, Artesian Capital Management (Australia) Pty Ltd is a global alternative investment management firm specialized in public and private debt, venture capital and impact investment strategies. The VC was a spin-off from ANZ Banking Group’s capital markets business, backed by ANZ Private Equity. Artesian’s founding partners Jeremy Colless, Matthew Clunies-Ross and John McCartney bought ANZ’s stake in 2005.Today, Artesian has international offices in New York, London, Singapore, Jakarta and Shanghai. Its China VC Fund was launched in 2017 and the firm also has plans for a Southeast Asia VC Fund. The alternative investment firm currently manages multiple funds including Australian VC Fund 2, High Impact Green Debt Fund, GrainInnovate and Women Economic Empowerment Fund.
Founded in Sydney in 2004, Artesian Capital Management (Australia) Pty Ltd is a global alternative investment management firm specialized in public and private debt, venture capital and impact investment strategies. The VC was a spin-off from ANZ Banking Group’s capital markets business, backed by ANZ Private Equity. Artesian’s founding partners Jeremy Colless, Matthew Clunies-Ross and John McCartney bought ANZ’s stake in 2005.Today, Artesian has international offices in New York, London, Singapore, Jakarta and Shanghai. Its China VC Fund was launched in 2017 and the firm also has plans for a Southeast Asia VC Fund. The alternative investment firm currently manages multiple funds including Australian VC Fund 2, High Impact Green Debt Fund, GrainInnovate and Women Economic Empowerment Fund.
Founded in 2013, Visionnaire Ventures is based in San Francisco and invests globally in innovative technologies in diverse sectors like AI and ML, digital health, Big Data, IoT, mobile and agriculture. The firm is managed by a team of serial entrepreneurs and executives involved in global internet, game and online media companies.The VC is co-founded by managing partners Taizo Son, Keith Nilsson and Susan Choe who also founded Katalyst Ventures. Son is the brother of SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son based in Japan. Taizo founded Gungho Online in 2002, a major online gaming company that became public-listed in 2005. With a vision to create a Silicon Valley-like venture eco-system in East Asia, he also founded MOVIDA JAPAN in 2009. He also founded Mistletoe Inc as CEO in 2013 to support entrepreneurs and provide startup ecosystem development activities.
Founded in 2013, Visionnaire Ventures is based in San Francisco and invests globally in innovative technologies in diverse sectors like AI and ML, digital health, Big Data, IoT, mobile and agriculture. The firm is managed by a team of serial entrepreneurs and executives involved in global internet, game and online media companies.The VC is co-founded by managing partners Taizo Son, Keith Nilsson and Susan Choe who also founded Katalyst Ventures. Son is the brother of SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son based in Japan. Taizo founded Gungho Online in 2002, a major online gaming company that became public-listed in 2005. With a vision to create a Silicon Valley-like venture eco-system in East Asia, he also founded MOVIDA JAPAN in 2009. He also founded Mistletoe Inc as CEO in 2013 to support entrepreneurs and provide startup ecosystem development activities.
Ribbit Capital is a Silicon Valley VC that focuses on fintech-related startups. Founded in 2012, Ribbit Capital posits that the financial services industry has largely remained unchanged despite the developments in technology in the past decade. The company’s “mantra” states that it is a believer in consumers and businesses moving to mobile, and this will lead to major changes in how financial services are provided in the future.The company has invested in a wide range of fintech startups and technologies, including stock trading app Robinhood, cryptocurrency exchange platform Coinbase, and Revolut, one of the earliest “challenger banks” that primarily serves retail customers through digital, app-based services. In March 2021, US retail giant Walmart announced a partnership with Ribbit Capital to develop fintech products. Ribbit Capital made its first investment in the Southeast Asia region in that same month, when it led a $65m Series A extension into Indonesian investment platform Ajaib.
Ribbit Capital is a Silicon Valley VC that focuses on fintech-related startups. Founded in 2012, Ribbit Capital posits that the financial services industry has largely remained unchanged despite the developments in technology in the past decade. The company’s “mantra” states that it is a believer in consumers and businesses moving to mobile, and this will lead to major changes in how financial services are provided in the future.The company has invested in a wide range of fintech startups and technologies, including stock trading app Robinhood, cryptocurrency exchange platform Coinbase, and Revolut, one of the earliest “challenger banks” that primarily serves retail customers through digital, app-based services. In March 2021, US retail giant Walmart announced a partnership with Ribbit Capital to develop fintech products. Ribbit Capital made its first investment in the Southeast Asia region in that same month, when it led a $65m Series A extension into Indonesian investment platform Ajaib.
Accelerating Asia bets on unicorn wave from MSME digitalization, logistics
The investor-accelerator’s sixth batch will start accepting applications in December, with greater ESG focus and a pledge to donate 1% of profit on investments to charity
Accelerating Asia's Amra Naidoo: We’re at an inflection point in Southeast Asia
Accelerating Asia’s co-founder Amra Naidoo reveals how the program adapts its curriculum to meet startups’ needs and the challenges accelerator programs face during the pandemic
Analysing and leveraging data: Interview with Datanest co-founders
From credit scoring to demand forecasting, Datanest has built many machine-learning products and looks to raise new funding, expand beyond Indonesia
With universal QR code, Indonesia achieves e-payment harmony
The move to standardize Indonesia's QR code is expected to unify the country's cashless payments system and lift tens of thousands of small merchants into the payments mainstream
Verkor: Accelerating low‑carbon battery production in France
French startup Verkor aims to raise up to €1.3bn by the end of next year to finance its first Gigafactory producing sustainable lithium-ion batteries for the European market
Indonesia's Green Rebel Foods to take its Asian-inspired plant-based meat regional
F&B veteran duo behind the Burgreens spinoff plans Series A fundraising by end-2021 for manufacturing and regional expansion
ID Capital CEO & founder Isabelle Decitre, an early mover investing in Asian agrifood startups
An early backer of Ynsect, one of the best-funded insect protein startups to date, Decitre sees growing interest in agrifood tech startups, but notes they still need to offer exit opportunities
Southeast Asian startups to keep riding digitalization, IPO boom, investors say
O2O business models and growing interest in ESG are also key themes, as regional startups gain $4.4bn of funding in first half of 2021
RecyGlo, Myanmar's first circular economy waste management system, targets regional growth
Turning trash into cash, Yangon-based recycling pioneer RecyGlo wants to extend its zero-waste circular economy model to the rest of Southeast Asia
South Summit 2021: European seed investment is booming post-Covid
Investors from The Fund, Northzone and Pale Blue Dot highlight climate change, consumer credit and business tools as hot areas to follow
iLoF: Accelerating access to personalized medicine, from a drop of blood
Backed by Microsoft’s venture fund M12, Mayfield and Melinda Gates’s Pivotal Ventures, iLoF focuses on painless screening to facilitate disease detection, forecasting and drug development, from Alzheimer’s to Covid-19
Future Food Asia 2021: Regenerative agriculture in Asia
The unique challenges facing regenerative agriculture in Asia require solutions different from those in the West, presenting opportunities for microfinancing and impact investment
SWITCH Singapore 2021: Tapping the $1tn sustainability market in Southeast Asia
Falling costs and simplified deployment of sustainability solutions will help boost adoption, especially in underprivileged communities
New Food Invest: Opportunities in the European alt-protein space
With a record €2.4bn investment in 2019, Europe’s foodtech sector appears poised for continued growth, but startups, corporations, governments and even universities can do more, experts say
Drone Hopper: Firefighters of the future
A senior Airbus engineer from Spain has developed heavy-duty autonomous drones to quell wildfires safely
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