East Ventures is an early-stage, sector-agnostic venture capital firm founded in 2009, with offices in Tokyo, Singapore, and Jakarta. The firm has invested in over 170 companies across Southeast Asia, with a strong emphasis on Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is recognized as a pioneer in the Indonesian startup ecosystem, being the first investor in notable unicorns such as Tokopedia and Traveloka. East Ventures' diverse portfolio includes prominent companies like Mercari, Ruangguru, and Fore Coffee. In 2018, the firm established a growth-stage fund called EV Growth to provide further support to startups in the region. East Ventures has garnered accolades for its consistent performance, being named the most active investor in Southeast Asia and Indonesia, as well as a top-performing VC fund globally by various industry observers. The firm primarily targets investments in technology, consumer web, fintech, and mobile sectors, typically investing between $0.1 million and $0.5 million in early-stage ventures.
IMM Investment Corp. is an independent private equity and venture capital firm based in Seoul, South Korea, founded in July 1999. The firm specializes in mezzanine investments and focuses on various investment strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and management buyouts. It targets medium-sized companies in sectors such as information technology infrastructure, wireless communications, healthcare, biotechnology, and manufacturing. IMM Investment allocates its growth stage investments primarily to startups, expansion, and mezzanine funding, with a strong emphasis on IT infrastructure, digital hardware, and content creation. The firm actively participates in management and seeks to invest in companies with strong ratings, particularly in regions like Seoul and surrounding provinces.
China Culture Industrial Investment Fund is a principal investment firm located in Beijing, China, recognized as the only state-level cultural industry investment fund in the country. Established to promote the rapid development of the cultural industry, the fund aligns with the goals of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, focusing on the advancement of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It aims to leverage financial resources to attract social capital into the cultural sector, thereby enhancing investment and financing mechanisms. The fund is managed by China Culture Industry Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd., which is responsible for overseeing operations and making investment decisions. This management entity is backed by the Ministry of Finance and several state-owned enterprises, including the Bank of China and China International Television Corporation. The fund specializes in various areas, including media, cultural arts, and cultural technology, with an emphasis on standardized management and sound operational practices to foster the growth of the Chinese cultural industry.
Dream Incubator is a Tokyo-based strategic consulting and business development firm established in 2000, focusing on early-stage investments across the Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, and the United States. The firm primarily serves Japanese corporate clients and governmental institutions, offering both capital and professional services to support the growth and expansion of next-generation companies. In addition to its consulting services, Dream Incubator actively invests in various business stages and operates its own ventures. The firm also provides assistance in developing capital policies and business plans, particularly for companies in high-tech and IT sectors. With additional offices in China, Singapore, and Vietnam, Dream Incubator aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
AppWorks, based in Taipei, is the largest startup accelerator in Greater Southeast Asia, having launched its program in 2010. It focuses on supporting Internet startups across the region, particularly those in AI, blockchain, and other emerging sectors. The AppWorks Accelerator invites 30-40 promising startups every six months, fostering a community that has grown to include 395 startups and 1,331 founders in its alumni network. Collectively, these startups generate approximately US$ 8.05 billion in annual revenues, create over 17,000 jobs, and have a combined valuation of around US$ 11.07 billion. In addition to its accelerator program, AppWorks manages US$ 170 million in venture capital funds, investing primarily in seed to Series C companies across various industries, including technology, financial services, and consumer goods.
SoftBank is a multinational telecommunications and internet corporation based in Tokyo, Japan, founded in 1981 by Masayoshi Son. It offers a wide range of services, including mobile and fixed-line communication, broadband, digital television, and internet services. The company operates through several segments, encompassing mobile communications, fixed-line telecommunications, and internet services, including the operation of the Yahoo! JAPAN portal and e-commerce platforms. SoftBank has also expanded into robotics, artificial intelligence, and clean energy technology, with notable acquisitions like Arm Holdings. Its investment arm, the SoftBank Vision Fund, focuses on growth-stage technology companies across various sectors such as IoT, fintech, and cloud computing, aiming to drive innovation and technological advancement. Additionally, SoftBank is involved in renewable energy, payment processing, and media distribution, maintaining a diverse portfolio that supports its overarching goal of fostering the Information Revolution and enhancing global connectivity.
Stonebridge Capital Inc. is a private equity firm based in Seoul, South Korea, focused on investing in middle market and buyout opportunities in both domestic and international companies with significant growth potential. Established in 2008, the firm targets various sectors including software, healthcare, consumer goods, and real estate, as well as emerging technologies like information communication technology and big data. Stonebridge Capital also invests in pharmaceuticals and medical services, particularly those linked to international expansion. The firm emphasizes investments in North America and East Asia, especially South Korea, China, and Japan. Its subsidiary, Stonebridge Ventures, founded in 2017, specializes in venture capital and considers growth capital and secondary investments in areas such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and financial technology. The firm seeks to exit through initial public offerings, mergers, and acquisitions.
Newcom Venture Capital is a venture capital firm based in Shanghai, China, with additional offices in Beijing and Shenzhen. The firm specializes in providing capital and operational support to start-up companies, focusing on early-stage investments, particularly in angel and A-round financing. Newcom Venture Capital targets various sectors, including information technology, internet banking, consumer services, modern business services, and advanced manufacturing. It aims to foster innovation in fintech and business model development, typically investing amounts ranging from RMB 500,000 to RMB 5 million. The firm is dedicated to assisting emerging businesses in navigating their growth and management challenges.
Sequoia Capital is a prominent venture capital firm founded in 1972 and based in Menlo Park, California. The firm specializes in investing across various sectors, including energy, financial services, healthcare, internet, mobile, and technology. Sequoia targets startups at different stages, from seed to growth, providing investments ranging from $100,000 to $100 million, depending on the company's maturity and market potential. The firm has a global presence, with significant operations in regions such as China, India, and Israel, where it actively partners with innovative founders to support the development of transformative companies. Sequoia Capital is known for its long-term commitment to its portfolio companies, leveraging extensive experience and industry knowledge to guide entrepreneurs from initial concept to public offerings. The firm also emphasizes the importance of social impact, as a significant portion of its profits is directed towards philanthropic causes.
Spiral Capital is a venture capital firm with multiple entities focusing on seed, early, middle, and late-stage investments in mobile, internet, software, healthcare, industrials, transportation, emerging technologies, and various other sectors in Southeast Asia, Japan, and the United States. Founded in 2012 as IMJ Investment Partners, it later transformed into Spiral Ventures to operate independently. With offices in Singapore, Jakarta, and Tokyo, Spiral Capital aims to support startups and innovative companies in their growth journey across different markets in East Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.