The Venture Capital Landscape of Singapore: A Profile of 35 Influential VCs

Singapore has swiftly transformed into a pivotal hub for venture capital and startup innovation, seamlessly connecting Asia with global markets. In this vibrant ecosystem, pioneering venture capitalists provide not just crucial funding but also the strategic mentorship and global networks that help startups thrive across various sectors such as fintech, deep tech, healthtech, and consumer internet. This article sheds light on 35 of the most influential VCs in Singapore, illustrating how their foresight and expertise are shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Magnus Grimeland (Founder & CEO, Antler)

Magnus Grimeland is redefining early-stage venture capital through Antler, which boasts a presence in over 30 global locations. Since its inception, Antler has backed more than 1,400 startups, establishing itself as the world’s largest early-stage investment platform. With a Harvard education and experience as a former McKinsey Junior Partner, Grimeland brings a wealth of global expertise that has significantly impacted the startup scene.

Scott Krivokopich (Managing Partner, 1982 Ventures)

As Managing Partner at 1982 Ventures, Scott Krivokopich plays a leading role in Southeast Asia’s early-stage fintech investment landscape. With a sharp eye for innovation, he has successfully backed over 40 startups, leveraging his extensive experience in both venture capital and entrepreneurship to deploy impactful capital in emerging markets.

Teruhide Sato (Founder & CEO, BEENEXT)

Teruhide Sato is a visionary Japanese entrepreneur reshaping the global startup ecosystem from Singapore. With a background that includes co-founding Cybercash Japan and taking BEENOS public, he has a keen interest in high-growth tech ventures. A World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Sato has invested in notable startups, empowering founders across Asia with capital and cross-border expertise.

Will Klippgen (Partner & Co-Founder, Cocoon Capital)

With over 27 years of experience, Will Klippgen actively supports early-stage startups at Cocoon Capital, where he is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner. A seasoned entrepreneur, Klippgen co-founded Kelkoo, later acquired by Yahoo. At Cocoon, he mentors B2B tech founders while also serving as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at INSEAD, contributing to the next wave of innovators.

Yinwei Liang (Partner, East Ventures)

Yinwei Liang brings over seven years of venture capital experience to his role as Partner at East Ventures, where he oversees investments from the firm’s Singapore office. His prior experience with Tiger Global involved funding startups globally, and his contributions to Singapore’s Infocomm Development Authority further underscore his influence in nurturing the tech ecosystem.

Vinnie Lauria (Founding Partner, Golden Gate Ventures)

As a Founding Partner at Golden Gate Ventures, Vinnie Lauria is a transformative figure in Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem. His firm manages over $250M in assets and has successfully backed nine unicorns and two IPOs. Lauria’s entrepreneurial journey began in high school, ultimately shaping his passion for innovation and global impact.

Amit Anand (Founding Partner & Managing Director, Jungle Ventures)

Amit Anand has been instrumental in guiding Jungle Ventures from a seed-stage firm to managing over $1 billion in assets. With extensive experience across India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, he is known for identifying category-leading startups early. His status as a Kauffman Fellow and Aspen FLI adds weight to his insights on ethical tech discourse.

Koichi Saito (Founder & General Partner, KK Fund)

Koichi Saito is a well-established venture capitalist in Southeast Asia’s early-stage startup landscape. Before founding KK Fund, he led regional investments at IMJ Investment Partners. His rich experience in private equity and financial institutions emphasizes his ability to identify promising tech opportunities across borders.

Kuo-Yi Lim (Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Monk’s Hill Ventures)

Kuo-Yi Lim blends government and startup expertise, serving as Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Monk’s Hill Ventures. His past role as CEO of Infocomm Investments and a PhD from MIT underscore his commitment to supporting ambitious founders across industries, particularly in edtech, SaaS, and AI.

Shane Chesson (Founding Partner, Openspace)

Shane Chesson has backed more than 70 tech companies over six funds totaling roughly $800M. His career began at Citigroup and Merrill Lynch, where he honed his financial acumen, which he now uses to support Southeast Asia’s tech entrepreneurs. Chesson is also dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship.

Wan Kum Tho (Managing Director, Singtel Innov8)

As the Managing Director at Singtel Innov8, Wan Kum Tho leads investments across the APAC region. With a rich history in venture capital and private equity, he has backed numerous impactful startups in Asia and the U.S. His dual role as an Adjunct Associate Professor at NUS presents a rare blend of academic and practical insight.

Kee Lock Chua (Managing Partner, Vertex Ventures)

Kee Lock Chua oversees Vertex Ventures’ diverse portfolio across Southeast Asia and India. His background spans various sectors, including medical devices and industrials, making him a key player in building a global VC network managing over $6 billion in assets.

B. Paul Santos (Managing Partner, Wavemaker Partners)

B. Paul Santos has been a significant force in the Singapore-based Wavemaker Partners since its founding in 2012. He has invested in over 200 startups, particularly focusing on enterprise, deep tech, and sustainability ventures. His impressive portfolio includes renowned names and highlights his role as a crucial catalyst for innovation.

Philip Yeo (Chairman, iGlobe Partners)

As Chairman of iGlobe Partners, Philip Yeo plays a critical role in Singapore’s venture capital sphere. With an illustrious career that encompasses both public service and the private sector, Yeo brings a wealth of strategic insight, aimed at fostering transformative technologies in the region.

Dr. Lim Jui (CEO, SGInnovate)

Dr. Lim Jui, CEO of SGInnovate, champions research-driven startups within Singapore’s Deep Tech landscape. His unique combination of medical training and venture capital expertise fosters innovation within the ecosystem, particularly in supporting entrepreneurial scientists.

Jeff Chi (Vice Chairman & Founding Partner, Vickers Venture Partners)

Known for his sharp analytical skills, Jeff Chi, Vice Chairman and Founding Partner at Vickers Venture Partners, has a diversified expertise in high-growth opportunities across Asia. His technical background and insights significantly contribute to global scaling efforts in deep tech and biotech sectors.

Charles Wong (Founding Partner, TNB Aura)

Charles Wong stands out as a significant investor in Southeast Asia’s tech ecosystem. His cross-border expertise allows him to bridge gaps between Singapore and other regional markets, supporting startups focused on innovative technology solutions.

Saemin Ahn (Managing Partner, Rakuten Capital)

Leading Rakuten Capital’s international investment strategy from Singapore, Saemin Ahn specializes in innovative sectors like AI and robotics. His leadership in spearheading global investments reflects Rakuten’s commitment to advancing transformative technologies.

Jinesh Patel (Managing Partner, Integra Partners)

Focusing on fintech, healthtech, and insurtech, Jinesh Patel drives finance and digital innovation at Integra Partners. His extensive experience in both consulting and banking uniquely positions him to identify trends and support disruptive startups.

Chow Boon Tan (General Partner, Altara Ventures)

Chow Boon Tan, a General Partner at Altara Ventures, brings remarkable financial acumen to early-stage investments. His background in private equity complements his focus on innovation within fintech and digital consumer sectors across Southeast Asia.

Qin En Looi (Partner, Saison Capital)

Qin En Looi, Partner at Saison Capital, pairs his entrepreneurial spirit with venture capital expertise. As the co-founder of Glints, he employs his experience in talent platforms to support founders in fintech, B2B solutions, and web3 innovations.

Jonathan Hodson (Partner, January Capital)

Jonathan Hodson specializes in fintech investments at January Capital, playing a key role in strategic deals. His foundation in corporate finance has sharpened his expertise in managing day-to-day operations while overseeing major investment initiatives.

Aditya Pendyala (Partner, FEBE Ventures)

Aditya Pendyala leverages his tech entrepreneurship background to bolster B2B software and AI/ML-focused startups. His extensive experience in fundraising and product strategy enriches the innovative tech landscape internationally.

Yan Cui (Partner, Teja Ventures)

With a remarkable focus on cross-border VC investing, Yan Cui specializes in machine learning and AI. His investment strategies emphasize impactful developments across Asia, supported by a solid grounding in computer engineering.

Usman Khan Lodhi (Venture Partner, FutureLabs Ventures)

A seasoned entrepreneur and operator, Usman Khan Lodhi brings two decades of experience to FutureLabs Ventures. His strategic insight is complemented by hands-on execution from scaling companies like FoodPanda in Indonesia to launching corporate ventures.

Douglas Abrams (CEO, Expara Group)

Douglas Abrams has considerably shaped Singapore’s venture capital landscape as the Founder and CEO of Expara Group. Drawing from a background in investment banking, he has successfully launched multiple VC funds while also engaging with future entrepreneurs in academic settings.

Tanuja Rajah (Partner, M Venture Partners)

Hailing from a scientific background, Tanuja Rajah focuses on early-stage investments in healthtech and deep tech as a Partner at M Venture Partners. Her unique experiences within both academia and startups enrich her understanding of venture dynamics.

Zi En Lim (Managing Partner, Protégé Ventures)

Zi En Lim champions emerging founders through education and capital at Protégé Ventures. Her emphasis on mentorship and nurturing the next generation of venture capitalists highlights her commitment to fostering innovation in Southeast Asia.

Dr. Jeremy Loh (Co-founder & Managing Partner, Genesis Alternative Ventures)

A pioneer in venture debt investing, Dr. Jeremy Loh leads Genesis Alternative Ventures. His influential role spans equity and debt investments, supporting startups through varying market cycles and demonstrating robust industry expertise.

Soo Wei Shaw (Partner, Gobi Partners)

Soo Wei Shaw drives sustainable investment strategies at Gobi Partners, focusing on education and healthcare sectors. Her advocacy for arts and sustainability makes her a distinctive voice in venture capital, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Pinn Lawjindakul (Partner, Lightspeed Venture Partners)

Pinn Lawjindakul focuses on early-stage investments at Lightspeed Venture Partners, tapping into her deep expertise in consumer internet and technology. Her understanding of market trends positions her as a pivotal player in the startup ecosystem.

Eduardo Saverin (Co-Founder and Co-CEO, B Capital Group)

As a co-founder of Facebook, Eduardo Saverin brings significant experience to B Capital Group. His focus on innovative, people-centric startups aims at scaling ventures with a global perspective, making him a key figure in the investment landscape.

Vishal Harnal (Managing Partner, 500 Global)

Vishal Harnal, Managing Partner at 500 Global, brings a wealth of experience in venture capital, focusing on AI and deep tech. His role in mentoring budding entrepreneurs at prestigious institutions like Stanford affirm his commitment to advancing the field.

Melvin Teo (Managing Director & CFO, JAFCO Asia)

Melvin Teo’s role at JAFCO Asia underscores his expertise in investment strategy and governance. His past experiences during the Asian Economic Crisis contribute valuable lessons in financial resilience to the venture capital scene.

Through the contributions of these remarkable individuals, Singapore’s startup ecosystem is poised for unprecedented growth. Their collective expertise not only fuels economic advancement but also fosters a spirit of innovation that continually redefines the landscape of entrepreneurship in the region.