Asia has become a massive hub for top startups and top venture capital alike in recent years and the statistics highlight this. Aggregate spending by Asian VCs in the region increased from $26 Billion in 2014 to $129 Billion in 2018. Funding has also increased over the last quarter, showing that the acceleration is still going strong. This is built on the back of a much stronger venture capital presence in Asia now compared to in the past.
1. Wavemaker Partners
Year Founded: 2003
HQ: Singapore
Size: 51-100
Founders: David Siemer, Eric Manlunas, Paul Santos
Wavemaker Partners is an Asian VC firm that was founded in 2003 and is currently based in Singapore. The VC firm mainly focuses on early-stage startups and has raised more than $580 Million for funding opportunities across a number of funds.
The eight investment funds managed by the company has allowed it to make a total of 447 investments in its trading lifetime. Out of these investments, the Wakemaker Partners has exited from a total of 50.
2. East Ventures
Year Founded: 2010
HQ: Tokyo, Japan
Size: 11-50
Founders: Batara Eto, Taiga Matsuyama, Willson Cuaca
East Ventures is a Venture Capital firm in Asia that was founded in 2010 and is currently headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company focuses its investments and support into early stage startups within the region and boasts a number of successful businesses in its portfolio. This has all been achieved in a short space of time.
The VC firm has managed a total of five investment funds since it was founded and these funds have given it the capability to make 416 investments. At the time of writing, the company has exited from a total of 40 of these investments.
3. Sequoia Capital China
Year Founded: 2005
HQ: Beijing, China
Size: 501-1000
Founders: Don Valentine, William Coughran
Sequoia Capital China is a VC firm that was founded in 2005 and is currently based in the Chinese capital city. A part of the larger Sequoia Group, this VC firm invests in startups across a variety of different funding stages. These investments are focused on the fintech market.
The company has managed a massive 33 funds since it was founded less than two decades ago and these funds have resulted in 728 investments being made. The firm has successfully managed to exit from a total of 89 investments.
4. Qiming Venture Partners
Year Founded: 2006
HQ: Shanghai, China
Size: 51-100
Founders: Gary Rieschel
Qiming Venture Partners is an Asian Venture Capital firm that was founded in 2006 and is currently based in Shanghai. The company focuses its investment efforts on the TMT and healthcare sectors and provides funding during either the early or growth stages of the business.
The company has managed 16 investment funds in the time since it was founded and this provided the firm with the resources needed to complete 685 investments in that time. So far, the company has successfully exited from 57 of these.
5. CyberAgent Capital
Year Founded: 2006
HQ: Tokyo, Japan
Size: 11-50
Founders: Multiple
CyberAgent Capital is an Asian VC firm that was founded in 2006 and is currently based in Tokyo, Japan. The company provides financial backing for a variety of different businesses that operate within the internet market. The company also has a presence in many neighboring countries, bolstering its portfolio.
To date, the company has managed a total of five investment funds. These funds have given the VC firm the money to fund 227 investments since 2006. From the companies the Asian VC has invested in, it has exited from 35 of them.
6. Gobi Partners
Year Founded: 2002
HQ: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Size: 51-100
Founders: Thomas Tsao
Gobi Partners is an Asian Venture Capital firm that was founded in 2002 and is based Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The company has grown since its founding to have a presence encompassing portfolio companies across the entire region. There is an investment focus on new and developing markets for these companies.
This VC firm has managed a total of 11 investment funds since it was founded. These funds have allowed Gobi Partners to make a series of 167 investments in that time. From these investments, the VC firm has successfully exited from 10 of these investments.
7. Brand Capital
Year Founded: 2005
HQ: Mumbai, India
Size: 101-250
Founders: Raj Jain
Brand Capital is an Indian Venture Capital firm that was founded in 2005 and is currently based in Mumbai, India. In addition to providing funding for businesses, this VC firm also provides a variety of different support types to help businesses to maximize their growth.
Since the company was founded, it has managed to make a series of 586 investments in the time that it has been trading. As a result of these investments, the company has so far managed to exit from 95 of them.
8. Shenzhen Capital Group
Year Founded: 1999
HQ: Shenzhen, China
Size: 1-10
Founders: Shenzhen Government
Shenzhen Capital Group is an Asian VC firm that was founded in 1999 and is currently based in Shenzhen, China. It is operated by the local government and seeks to develop national industries and provide a better launchpad for businesses in China to grow and enter the international stage.
The company has managed a total of 7 investment funds since it was founded and this has allowed the company to make a total of 430 investments in that time. From these investments, the VC firm has successfully exited from 80 of these.
9. ZhenFund
Year Founded: 2011
HQ: Beijing, China
Size: 51-100
Founders: Bob Xiaoping Xu, Victor Wang
ZhenFund is a Chinese VC firm that was founded in 2011 and is currently based in Beijing, China. The company primarily invests in TMT, healthcare, and the educational sectors but also invests in a variety of different industries. Some of these investments have gone on to trade on the NYSE and this highlights the success of the VC firm.
The VC firm has managed a total of 17 investment funds since it was founded and this has allowed it to make 727 investments in the space of a decade. From these investments, the company has exited from 51 of these investments.
10. JAFCO Japan
Year Founded: 1973
HQ: Tokyo, Japan
Size: 51-100
Founders: Tsuyoshi Ito
JAFCO Japan is obviously, a Japanese Venture Capital firm that was founded in 1973 and is currently based in Tokyo. The company currently operates by providing Venture Capital, incubation and private equity to a number of companies in Japan and further afield. They target businesses with creative ideas and strategies.
The company has managed a total of 9 investment funds since it was founded and this has allowed the company to make a total of 263 investments and a sole acquisition. From these investments, the VC firm has managed to exit from 68 of these.
11. Samsung Ventures
Year Founded: 1999
HQ: Seoul, South Korea
Size: 11-50
Founders: Samsung Electronics
Samsung Ventures is a South Korean Venture Capital firm that forms the investment arm of Samsung Electronics, it was founded in 1999 and is currently based in Seoul, South Korea. The company invests in technology startups across a wide variety of sectors and annually invests a total of $250 Million.
The VC firm has managed a total of 16 funds in the time that it has been trading and these funds have allowed the company to make 245 investments into startups. As a result of these investments, the VC firm has exited from 59 exits.
12. Matrix Partners China
Year Founded: 1977
HQ: Beijing, China
Size: 11-50
Founders: Bo Shao, David Su, David Zhang, Yee Lee
Matrix Partners China is an Asian VC firm that was founded in 1977 and is currently based in Beijing, China. The company has successfully managed to fund and support more than 50 companies to an IPO and they provide investment to businesses across a variety of different industry sectors across various different funding stages.
The Chinese VC firm has managed a total of four investment funds and these funds have given the company the capability to make 592 investments into growing businesses. From these investments, the company has successfully exited from 40 of these companies.
13. GIC
Year Founded: 1981
HQ: Singapore
Size: 1001-5000
Founders: The Singapore Government
GIC is a Venture Capital firm that was founded in 1981 and is currently based in Singapore. The company serves to manage the country’s foreign reserves and diversify its international presence by making long-term investments into a variety of different asset classes.
The company has made a total of 196 investments since it was founded and it has also made a pair of acquisitions. From these investments, the company has successfully exited a total of 71 of these investments.
14. Global Brain Corporation
Year Founded: 1998
HQ: Tokyo, Japan
Size: 51-100
Founders: Yasuhiko Yurimoto
Global Brain Corporation is an Asian Venture Capital firm that was founded in 1998 and is currently based in Tokyo, Japan. The company is one of the largest VC firms in Japan and mainly invests in businesses during the early stages of their development. Global Brain Corporation has a track record of taking high-value businesses to the IPO stage.
The company has managed a total of 19 investment funds since it was founded in 1998 and these funds have allowed it to make a series of 350 investments in that time. From these investments, the company has successfully exited from 62 of these investments.
15. Mitsubishi UFJ Capital
Year Founded: 1974
HQ: Tokyo, Japan
Size: 51-100
Founders: Mitsubishi Financial Group
Mitsubishi UFJ Capital is an Asian Venture Capital firm that was founded in 1974 and is currently based in Tokyo, Japan. The company mainly focuses its investment efforts on companies in the life sciences, ICT and other technology companies.
The company has managed a total of eight funds since it was founded and this has allowed the company to make 406 investments into growing businesses. From these investments, the company has successfully managed to exit from 63 of these.
16. Chiratae Ventures
Year Founded: 2000
HQ: Bangalore, India
Size: 11-50
Founders: Sudhir Sethi, TC Meenakshisundaram
Chiratae Ventures is an Indian Venture Capital Firm that was founded in 2000 and is currently based in Bangalore, India. The company provides a focus on helping Indian businesses to grow through a variety of funding and support options. The company has assets managed to a value of over $6 Billion.
The company has managed a total of 6 investment funds since it was founded two decades ago and these funds have allowed it to make a series of 183 investments. As a result of these investments, the Indian VC firm has exited from 19 investments.
17. Incubate Fund
Year Founded: 2010
HQ: Tokyo, Japan
Size: 11-50
Founders: Kazuki Notsu
Incubate Fund is an Asian VC firm that was founded in 2010 and is currently based in Tokyo, Japan. The company is an independent firm and focuses on providing early stage investment to technology companies in an effort to help them to reach the next level of their development.
The Japanese VC firm has managed a total of 10 investment funds in the decade it has been trading and these funds have provided the backing for the company to invest in 235 startups. Directly following from these investments, the company has exited from 36 of these so far.
18. Kalaari Capital
Year Founded: 2011
HQ: Bangalore, India
Size: 11-50
Founders: Vani Kola
Kalaari Capital is an Indian Venture Capital firm that was founded in 2011 and is currently based in Bangalore, India. The company provides funding at a variety of different stages in businesses life and focuses on technology companies in its own country.
The Indian VC firm has managed a total of three investment funds since it was founded a decade ago and these funds have given it the capability to make 186 investments. From these investments, the company has managed to exit from 23 of these companies.
19. China Growth Capital
Year Founded: 2006
HQ: Beijing, China
Size: 11-50
Founders: Haiyan Wu, Ning Tang
China Growth Capital is an Asian Venture Capital firm that was founded in 2006 and is currently based in Beijing, China. The company predominantly focuses on startups that work within the enterprise, technology and marketplace sectors. As it stands, the company has more than $1 Billion in assets under its management.
The company has managed to drum up funding to make a total of 194 investments in the time that it has been trading. Out of these investments, the Venture Capital firm has exited from 14 of its investments so far.
20. Insignia Venture Partners
Year Founded: 2017
HQ: Singapore
Size: 11-50
Founders: Yinglan Tan
Insignia Venture Partners is a Singaporean Venture Capital firm that was founded in 2017 and true to form, is currently based in Singapore. The company provides funding for a variety of different startups and has seen a lot of success in the short amount of time that it has been trading.
The company has managed a total of three investment funds since it was founded four years ago and it has already managed to make a series of 69 investments. From these investments, the company has only exited from a single one so far.
21. SGInnovate
Year Founded: 2016
HQ: Singapore
Size: 51-100
Founders: Steve Leonard
SGInnovate is an Asian Venture Capital firm that was founded five years ago and is currently based in Singapore. The company specializes in helping scientists with entrepreneurial ambitions to build their businesses, find support and also secure funding to help propel their idea from an idea to a reality.
Since it was founded in 2016, the company has successfully made a series of 72 investments into new businesses. As it stands, the company has only exited from a single investment at this stage.
FAQs
Which Countries Have The Best Startup Ecosystems In Asia?
This list would not be complete without mentioning the massive industrial power and manpower of China. Not to be forgotten however, India also has a bustling startup ecosystem. Outside of these two powerhouses, you can also consider Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
Which Industries Are Strongest In Asia?
The strongest industries in Asia in terms of investment potential and overall success are Fintech, E-commerce, Gaming, Biotechnology and AgriTech. Despite these industries being among the best, there are many other industries in Asia that are rapidly growing and succeeding going into the new year.
How Much VC Funding Comes Through Asia?
As of October 2021, Asia has seen a very impressive amount of VC funding. The total came to a figure of $106.1 Billion in funding. This figure has already beaten the amount raised in 2019 and is likely to defeat the figures generated during 2020.
