Singapore has proven to be an attractive market for growing businesses, not only within the region, but also across the globe. New businesses are attracted to Singapore, with many sources of funding available for aspiring start-ups.
A major contributing factor to Singapore’s success as a startup destination is its growing pool of high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and institutional investors. In addition to private sources of funding, the Singapore government encourages the establishment of incubators and investments in start-up companies through a variety of programs.
In Singapore, there are a number of successful venture capital firms, and we have compiled a list of the top firms in the area.
- Sequoia Capital
There is no need to introduce this VC firm since it has been around for over 40 years. Sequoia Capital has often been associated with some of the world’s most notable names, including Larry Page, Steve Jobs, and Elon Musk. The company is very active in startups and firms in profitable sectors like mobile and internet, healthcare, energy and finance. Sequoia Capital offers VC funding as well as incubation programs to help startups succeed.
- Location: Sydney, Menlo Park, Tel Aviv, Melbourne, Hong Kong, California, Mumbai, Bangalore, Singapore
- Industries: Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare, E-Commerce
- Investment Range: $100K – $1 million in seed, $1 million – $10 million in early stages, and $10 million – $100 million at later stages.
- Companies invested in: 100 Thieves, Alkira, Bibit, 23andMe
2. Cisco Investments
Cisco is an international brand in the telecommunications industry. The company’s Venture Capital arm looks for startup opportunities online and offline. Investments from Cisco include semiconductor companies, Internet of Things firms, SaaS based startups, and Big Data firms, and many more. It has offices in major markets like the United States, Australia, China, India, South Korea, and Singapore.
- Location: Singapore, Tel Aviv
- Industries: Finance, Technology, Financial Services.
- Investment Range: $5M
- Stage: Seed Stage
- Companies invested in Acqueon, BehavioSec.
A private equity firm, EQT Group has invested across regions and geographies. Firms with an industrial approach have sought business and locations for many years. These firms have experience and expertise in business and in investing. Several companies have joined them to grow.
- Location: Singapore, Paris, Switzerland
- Industries: Industrial Technology, TMT, Healthcare.
- Investment Range: € 2M – € 50M
- Stage: Seed Stage
- Companies invested in: Mollie, Wolt, Nordic Aviation Capital
4. B Capital Group
Eduardo Saverin is the founder of this venture capital business, which was formed by a former Facebook employee. With operations in San Francisco and Los Angeles, the firm began expanding into India and Southeast Asia in 2014 and hasn’t looked back since then.
- Location: Singapore
- Industries: Healthcare, Consumer Enablement, Enterprise Software.
- Investment Range: $500 K- $ 2 M in seed, with $100 million or more for higher rounds
- Companies invested in: BuKuKas, Nekitar, Payfazz.
5. Golden Gate Ventures
The firm has offices in Singapore and San Francisco. More than 30 different businesses are owned by the company, which operates in more than seven countries. In addition to consumer internet, social media, e-commerce, digital entertainment, and crowdsourcing, Golden Gate Ventures focuses on business models that relate to consumer internet, social media, and e-commerce. The company is also affiliated with Gojek.
- Location: Singapore
- Industries: Technology, FinTech, E-commerce.
- Investment Range: $1M – $5M.
- Stage: Seed Stage
- Companies invested in: Chilibeli, Klinik Pintar, Fuse.
6. Monk’s Hills Ventures
Vietnam, Singapore, and Jakarta are the offices of this venture capital firm. Founded in 2014, the company has invested in companies like Zipmatch, PlayLab, and Ninja Van.
- Location: Singapore
- Industries: FinTech, Healthcare, E-Commerce, Technology.
- Investment Range: $1M – $3M
- Stage: Seed Stage
- Companies invested in: Bot MD, CoderSchool, Dagangan.
7. SGInnovate
SGInnovate was founded in 2016 and has since grown to become a major venture capital firm throughout the region. It is known for its affiliation with tech startups, based in Singapore. SGInnovate has invested in names such as Tabsquare, Aida, Thaiger and many more.
- Location: Singapore
- Industries: Technology, Healthcare.
- Investment Range: Non Disclosed.
- Stage: Seed Stage
- Companies invested in: Biofourmis, Health Beacon, Lucence.
8. East Ventures
Tokyo, Jakarta, and Singapore are the locations of this VC firm. The company, founded in 2010, specializes in seeding early-stage ventures in the areas of social, gaming, SaaS, mobile, and commerce. Over the last few years, the company has invested in more than 150 companies across Asia and the United States, including Traveloka, Shippo, and Gradberry, among others.
- Location: Singapore
- Industries: Commerce, Mobile Services.
- Investment Range: $1M – $3M
- Stage: Seed Stage
- Companies invested in: Allsome, BitFlyer, Campfire.
9. Jungle Ventures
Founded in 1989, Jungle Ventures’ mission is to support, advise, and mentor its companies’ founders. They provide long-term funding and are committed to working closely with our clients. It was founded in 2011 with a mission to provide its clients with different options when it comes to venture capital. Furthermore, they will help with capital structuring, strategic partnerships, developing founders, and other areas.
- Location: Singapore
- Industries: Technology, Healthcare, Hospitality.
- Investment Range: Non Disclosed.
- Stage: Seed Stage
- Companies invested in: Kredivo, Sociolla, Livspace.
10. Dream Labs Innovation
DreamLabs is a $50 million fund set up to invest in companies in Cleantech, Fintech, e-Commerce, Healthcare, and Energy that are disruptive, scalable, and people-oriented. In addition to capital, the fund provides mentorship, networking, and physical infrastructure for its incubator in Singapore’s central business district.
- Location: Singapore
- Industries: Cleantech, Healthcare, Fintech
- Investment Range: Non Disclosed.
- Stage: Seed Stage
- Companies invested in: Non Disclosed.
In the Final Conclusion
Venture capitalists make money by carrying interest on their investments, as well as by charging management fees. Private equity funds typically pay 20% of their profits to their VC firms, while the remainder goes to their limited partners. They may also collect an additional 2% fee from their general partners. Most partners work on identifying specific investments, approving new investments and exits at the highest level.
Beyond this list, there are many other VC Firms and other opportunities available for startups to get their startup funded. Startups can make use of the current landscape and explore opportunities to build their businesses in the SEA region, with the support of this thriving investors’ community.
