Venture capital powerhouse 500 Global has marked a significant milestone by concluding its latest fund, the $143 million 500 Southeast Asia III fund. This achievement represents 500 Global’s most substantial early-stage investment fund dedicated to Southeast Asia to date, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing the region’s burgeoning tech start-ups from inception to the brink of initial public offerings (IPOs).
The 500 SEA III fund marks the third Southeast Asia-focused early-stage fund initiated by the firm. Its primary focus is to deploy capital into innovative businesses and artificial intelligence-powered technologies that propel the digitalization of rural areas, sustainable urban development, advancements in human and machine productivity, healthcare innovations, food security, and the expansion of financial inclusivity.
With a strategic vision to foster entrepreneurship and technological advancement, the fund has set its sights on backing approximately 100 pre-seed to Series A stage start-ups. Financial support will be provided in the form of initial investments ranging from $250,000 to $500,000, with a geographical scope encompassing Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia.
Khailee Ng, the managing Partner of 500 Global, expressed unwavering optimism in the region’s potential, stating, “We believe the next technology giants are being built now. History shows us that cyclical downturns are typically succeeded by periods of high growth surpassing the preceding cycles. Having been investing in Southeast Asia now for over a decade, we learned a thing or two about supporting outstanding founders and companies to ride the next 10 years, to generate highly competitive returns for our institutional investors and portfolio companies.”
500 Global’s strategic move to foster the growth of technology-driven enterprises underscores the firm’s commitment to nurturing the innovation ecosystem within Southeast Asia and reflects its anticipation of substantial returns on investments in the region’s burgeoning tech landscape.
