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.
Techstars is a global startup accelerator founded in 2006, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. It provides a supportive environment for entrepreneurs through various programs, including mentorship-driven accelerators, startup programs, and corporate innovation partnerships. Techstars connects founders with a vast network of mentors, investors, and industry experts to foster company growth. The organization operates multiple accelerator programs worldwide, focusing on diverse sectors such as mobility, retail, and social impact. It also manages a venture capital fund that invests in innovative technology companies at early stages. With over 1,000 companies in its accelerator portfolio, Techstars has developed a reputation for nurturing successful startups across various markets, helping them scale and achieve significant valuations.
SOSV is a venture capital firm headquartered in New Jersey, focused on seed-to-growth stage investments in sectors such as biotechnology, hardware, robotics, and cross-border software, particularly in Asia. Established in 1995, SOSV operates several global accelerator programs, including HAX for hardware, IndieBio and RebelBio for life sciences, Chinaccelerator and MOX for cross-border internet, Food-X for disruptive food technologies, and dlab for blockchain innovations. The firm invests in approximately 150 companies annually and emphasizes a strategy that combines early-stage funding with extensive support, facilitating product development, customer acquisition, and scaling. SOSV's commitment to nurturing revolutionary deep technologies and its proven track record position it among the top 10% of venture capital funds worldwide.
Xianghe Capital, founded by Mr. Hesong Tang and Ms. Maggie Yang, is a venture capital fund focusing on early and growth stage investments in the TMT industry in China. With a team comprised of individuals with backgrounds in Corporate Development at Baidu and other leading internet companies, Xianghe Capital excels in strategic analysis and has deep connections within the industry. Their investments are guided by strategic analysis and collective wisdom, leading to landscape-changing deals such as iQiyi, Qunar, PPS, and 91 wireless, which have significantly impacted China's TMT sector. Additionally, Xianghe Capital also targets early to growth-stage investments across the United States and China, solidifying their presence as a key player in the venture capital landscape.
Trind Ventures is an early stage VC fund based in Tallinn, Estonia. Investing in start-ups across Europe, from seed rounds all the way to sustainability, with a focus on ICT. Trind Ventures partners are Joel Aasmäe, Ivar Siimar, Kimmo Irpola and Taavi Lepmets.
Entrepreneur First, founded in 2011 and headquartered in London, is a company builder that focuses on creating technology startups by investing in individuals before they have formed teams or developed ideas. The firm operates an intensive six-month program aimed at providing comprehensive support during the crucial early stages of a startup's development. Entrepreneur First selects participants based solely on their technical talent and has successfully launched over 100 startups valued at over $1 billion. With offices in various international locations, including Singapore, Berlin, and Bangalore, the firm offers financial stipends and seed funding to selected candidates. It typically takes a 10 percent equity stake in the startups it supports and has garnered backing from prominent investors in the venture capital space.
Rockstart is an accelerator and venture capital firm founded in 2011 and headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with additional offices in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Bogotá, Colombia. The firm specializes in supporting early-stage startups across four primary sectors: Energy, Health, AgriFood, and Emerging Technologies. Rockstart offers intensive programs that provide startups with access to capital, office space, and a network of mentors, partners, and investors. Its initiatives include customized programs that foster collaboration between startups and established companies, driving opportunities for co-creation and investment. Since its inception, Rockstart has invested in over 230 startups, helping them raise more than €90 million and create over 700 jobs. The firm emphasizes a structured six-month program that includes workshops on various business topics, culminating in a Demo Day where entrepreneurs present their ventures to potential investors and partners. Additionally, Rockstart has developed specialized programs such as Rockstart AI and Rockstart Impact Nepal to cater to specific markets and entrepreneurial needs.
Weld North operates a platform of digital and SaaS educational solution businesses. In partnership with KKR, a global alternative asset manager, Weld North makes control investments in high potential businesses in the education industry. By attracting highly motivated and distinctly talented professionals, Weld North looks to accelerate growth through an obsessive focus on enhancing the customer experience, operational excellence, marketing expertise and disciplined financial management. Weld North appreciates the time, focus and expertise required to grow successful technology-enabled education businesses. Our longer investment time horizon plus a willingness to make organic and new investments over time leads to businesses that produce the best results for students, teachers and investors.
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.
Plug and Play is a prominent seed and early-stage investor based in Silicon Valley, specializing in innovative startups across various sectors, including Fintech, Insurtech, and Health & Wellness. The firm operates 12 industry-specific accelerator programs annually, connecting high-quality startups with major corporations and strategic partners. In addition to accelerator programs, Plug and Play participates in Seed, Angel, and Series A funding, co-investing with over 180 venture capital partners. Their Startup Camp provides a 10-week intensive program for entrepreneurs to refine their business models, while their global network of mentors and advisors supports startups in product development and investor presentations. With a portfolio exceeding 600 startups, Plug and Play has been instrumental in the growth of market leaders and continues to facilitate innovation by bringing together key stakeholders worldwide, including corporations, venture capitalists, and government entities.