Excited to learn about the big investors shaping the startup world in Southeast Asia ? Check out our latest list, created using recent data about where companies got their money in the last two years.
We're highlighting the top investors, sorting them by the number of deals they've done, so you can see who's making waves in the startup community. We know early investments are often in the spotlight, so we're here to share stories about how each company is making a big impact.
To keep it short and sweet, we're only featuring companies that have supported three or more startups in Southeast Asia in the last two years. Dive into the exciting scene, where each company's "Number of startups invested" is all about this region and this specific time.
Our information is always getting better, and we want your help! If you work with a fund and notice anything wrong or missing, let us know!
1
Antler (Singapore)
Antler is a company that supports and invests in passionate entrepreneurs from the very beginning of their startup journey until they achieve significant success. As one of the most active early-stage venture capital firms globally, Antler has invested in over 900 startups in 30 cities around the world, including places like Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia in Southeast Asia.
What makes Antler unique is that it not only provides funding but also assists founders right from the start. They help connect co-founders, validate business ideas thoroughly, and provide initial capital before startups even reach the seed funding stage. In addition to being an early supporter, Antler continues to be a reliable partner for the long term, offering support for expansion and providing funding as startups grow beyond the initial stages, starting from Series A funding and beyond.
2
East Ventures (Indonesia)
East Ventures is a venture capital firm that has been a key player in the tech investment scene since its founding in 2009. They invest in a wide range of sectors and stages of a company's development, from early Seed stage to later Growth stages. Operating in Southeast Asia, East Ventures has provided investment and support to over 300 tech companies in the region.
Notably, East Ventures played a crucial role in the success of Indonesia's unicorn companies, Tokopedia and Traveloka, by being their first investor. The firm's portfolio includes other well-known companies such as Ruangguru, Kudo (acquired by Grab), Loket (acquired by Gojek), Tech in Asia, Xendit, IDN Media, MokaPOS (acquired by Gojek), ShopBack, KoinWorks, Waresix, and Sociolla.
East Ventures has gained recognition on the global stage, being named the most consistent top-performing VC fund by Preqin and recognized as the most active investor in Southeast Asia and Indonesia by various media outlets. The firm is not only focused on financial success but also emphasizes sustainable development and positive societal impact, incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices into its initiatives.
3
500 Global (United States)
500 Global is a venture capital firm with more than $2.7 billion¹ in assets under management that invests early in founders building fast-growing technology companies. We focus on markets where technology, innovation, and capital can unlock long-term value and drive economic growth.
4
Y Combinator (United States)
Y Combinator is a well-known startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley. It was founded in 2005 by Paul Graham, Jessica Livingston, Robert Morris, and Trevor Blackwell. Y Combinator provides funding, mentorship, and resources to early-stage startups in exchange for equity.
Startups that are accepted into Y Combinator's programs receive seed money, guidance, and support during a fixed period of intensive acceleration. Y Combinator has been instrumental in the growth and success of numerous well-known companies, including Dropbox, Airbnb, Stripe, Reddit, and many others.
5
Wavemaker Partners (Singapore)
Wavemaker Partners is a prominent venture capital firm in Southeast Asia that specializes in early-stage investments, particularly in enterprise, deep tech, and sustainability startups. Since its establishment in 2012, Wavemaker has supported over 190 companies, with a focus on those operating in the fields of enterprise, deep tech, and sustainability. The firm manages a total of US$300 million in assets under management (AUM) across four funds in the Southeast Asian region.
Wavemaker has been successful in facilitating exits and acqui-hires, with a total value exceeding US$800 million. Notable examples include TradeGecko's acquisition by Intuit, as well as Moka's and Coins.ph's acquisitions by Gojek.
Among Wavemaker's portfolio companies are noteworthy ventures such as eFishery (a digital fishing cooperative), Growsari (a B2B marketplace), and Silent Eight (utilizing AI for anti-money laundering). Importantly, a substantial portion of Wavemaker's active portfolio, approximately 85%, aligns with at least one of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sustainable Development Goals, showcasing the firm's commitment to sustainable and impactful investments in the region.
6
XA Network (Singapore)
XA Network is an investment network that brings together experienced leaders from both global and regional technology companies, along with founders of noteworthy companies in Southeast Asia. The primary goal of XA Network is to promote inclusive innovation by providing support and empowerment to the technology community in Southeast Asia. Essentially, it serves as a platform for collaboration, mentorship, and investment, aiming to contribute to the growth and development of the tech ecosystem in the region.
7
AC Ventures (Indonesia)
AC Ventures is an early-stage technology venture fund with a specific focus on investing in digital disruptors in Indonesia. The formation of AC Ventures resulted from the merger of two venture capital firms, namely Agaeti Venture Capital and Convergence Ventures. As a combined entity, AC Ventures is positioned to identify and invest in promising early-stage technology companies that have the potential to bring about significant digital disruption in the Indonesian market. The fund aims to support and accelerate the growth of these innovative ventures as they navigate the dynamic landscape of the technology industry in Indonesia.
8
Peak XV Partners (India)
Peak XV Partners, formerly known as Sequoia Capital India & SEA, is a venture capital and growth investment firm with a focus on investing across India, Southeast Asia, and beyond. The firm has a history rooted in supporting innovative ventures and has been a significant player in the startup ecosystems of India and Southeast Asia. The name change from Sequoia Capital India & SEA to Peak XV Partners likely reflects a strategic shift or evolution in the firm's investment approach, signaling its commitment to continued growth and expansion beyond its initial geographic focus.
9
Alpha JWC Ventures (Indonesia)
Alpha JWC Ventures is a venture capital firm that operates as an institutional and independent entity, placing a significant emphasis on Indonesia. The firm specializes in investing in technology companies at various stages, ranging from early to growth stages. Unlike being limited to specific sectors, Alpha JWC Ventures describes itself as sector-agnostic. This means that the firm is open to investing in a diverse range of industries and technologies.
The primary focus of Alpha JWC Ventures is to support and invest in exceptional founders, aiming to be a value-added partner in their journey to building great companies. The firm prides itself on having a team with a strong track record in investing in numerous exciting technology companies, underscoring its experience and expertise in identifying and nurturing successful ventures in the tech space.
10
SOSV (United States)
SOSV is a global venture capital firm with a focus on multi-stage investment. The firm provides support across various stages, beginning with pre-seed startup development programs. These programs are specifically tailored for founders working on breakthrough technologies that address both human and planetary health concerns.
With $1.5 billion in assets under management (AUM), SOSV operates several early-stage startup development programs. Notable among them are HAX, which focuses on hard tech; IndieBio, which centers on innovations in human and planetary health; and Orbit Startups, which is dedicated to emerging markets. This approach allows SOSV to actively engage and invest in a diverse range of startups with the potential to make a significant impact on both societal and environmental well-being.
11
Touchstone Partners (Vietnam)
Touchstone Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm that specializes in investing in technology startups based in Vietnam. As an investor, their primary focus is on supporting and funding innovative ventures in the Vietnamese tech ecosystem during the early stages of their development. This emphasis on early-stage investments suggests that Touchstone Partners plays a crucial role in helping startups establish themselves and grow in the dynamic technology landscape of Vietnam.
12
Do Ventures (Vietnam)
Do Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm dedicated to fueling and supporting promising tech ventures in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. With a focus on high-growth potential companies, they not only provide capital but also offer hands-on operational support across various sectors, including fintech, e-commerce, healthcare, and education. Their mission is to contribute to the growth of the region's tech ecosystem by combining financial investment with strategic guidance, marketing assistance, and talent recruitment.
13
Iterative (Singapore)
Iterative is a venture capital firm that specializes in providing seed-stage funding for early-stage startups. As a seed-stage investor, Iterative likely supports startups in their initial phases of development, offering financial backing and potentially other resources to help these early-stage companies grow and succeed. Seed-stage funding is crucial for startups to validate their ideas, develop their products or services, and establish a solid foundation for future growth.