Top 20 VCs for Early-Stage Startups in Asia 2025
The venture capital landscape in Asia is brimming with potential as the region's startup ecosystem continues to grow. For early-stage startups, securing the right investment partner can be crucial for success. In 2025, here are the Top 20 VCs actively investing in early-stage startups across Asia, complete with details about their focus areas, investment strategies, and notable achievements.
Write FREE SEO-optimized Blog Articles! Our Article Writer ensures your blog is loved by both Google and your readers, turning those clicks into customers.
👉 Write your article here
1. 500 Global
Focus: Early-stage tech startups across various sectors.
Region: Southeast Asia, Global
Data Points:
- Formerly known as 500 Startups.
- Invested in over 200 startups in Southeast Asia.
- Assets Under Management (AUM): US$2.4 million.
- Known for its accelerator programs.
- Notable investments include Grab, Bukalapak, and Carousell.
- Learn more about 500 Global
2. East Ventures
Focus: Early-stage tech, particularly in Indonesia.
Region: Southeast Asia (Indonesia focus).
Data Points:
- Based in Indonesia.
- Assisted over 200 companies across Southeast Asia.
- Early investor in unicorns like Tokopedia and Traveloka.
- Consistently ranked top-performing global VC by Preqin.
- Notable investments include Ruangguru, Xendit, and IDN Media.
- Discover East Ventures
3. Golden Gate Ventures
Focus: Early-stage tech, consumer internet, fintech, and enterprise tech.
Region: Southeast Asia (Singapore HQ).
Data Points:
- Founded in 2011.
- Launched four funds with AUM of $250 million.
- Invested in over 80 companies in Southeast Asia.
- Notable investments include Carousell, Ruma, and Alodokter.
- Explore Golden Gate Ventures
Boost Your SEO by listing your startup and get a FREE backlink.
Create a profile in the F/MS Startup Game, add the link to your website and submit.
👉 List your startup now!
4. Jungle Ventures
Focus: Early to growth-stage, tech startups.
Region: Asia (Singapore Based).
Data Points:
- Founded in 2012.
- Invests in sectors like consumer tech, fintech, and enterprise software.
- Closed its second fund at US$100 million.
- Notable investments include Kredivo, Livspace, and RedDoorz.
- Visit Jungle Ventures
5. Insignia Venture Partners
Focus: Early-stage tech, fintech, consumer, and marketplaces.
Region: Southeast Asia (Primarily Indonesia).
Data Points:
- Founded in 2017.
- Invested in over 70 emerging tech startups.
- Focus on the Indonesian market with 23 portfolio companies.
- Notable investments include Payfazz, Shipper, and GoTo Group.
- Learn more about Insignia Venture Partners
6. Wavemaker Partners
Focus: Early-stage, enterprise, deep tech, and sustainability.
Region: Southeast Asia (Singapore and Los Angeles HQ).
Data Points:
- Founded in 2003.
- Invested in over 170 startups in Southeast Asia.
- 85% of investments in the enterprise and deep tech sectors.
- AUM: Over US$300 million across four funds.
- Discover Wavemaker Partners
7. Alpha JWC Ventures
Focus: Seed to Series A investments, particularly in fintech and consumer sectors.
Region: Southeast Asia (Indonesia focus).
Data Points:
- Strongly focuses on Indonesia.
- Notable investments include Ajaib and Kopi Kenangan.
- Visit Alpha JWC Ventures
8. Gobi Partners
Focus: Early-stage startups across various sectors in Pan-Asia.
Region: Pan-Asia.
Data Points:
- Leading Pan-Asian venture capital firm.
- Focus on underrepresented markets and sectors.
- Notable investments include Carsome and Orami.
- Learn more about Gobi Partners
Boost Your SEO with 1,500+ Free Business Directories: increase your DA, get backlinks and traffic.
We've compiled an exclusive list of directories and websites where you can submit your business and start building high-quality backlinks to boost your website traffic and get your SEO snowball rolling.
👉 Submit your startup now!
9. Monk's Hill Ventures
Focus: Post-seed stage startups.
Region: Southeast Asia.
Data Points:
- Invests specifically in post-seed stage startups.
- Aimed at supporting technology startups in the region.
- Explore Monk's Hill Ventures
10. Sequoia Capital India/Surge
Focus: Wide range of companies, across various categories.
Region: Southeast Asia and India.
Data Points:
- Partners actively with founders.
- Notable investments include BYJUs and Carousell.
- Discover Sequoia Capital India
11. Antler
Focus: Early-stage, especially in fintech.
Region: Global (Singapore HQ).
Data Points:
- Day Zero approach to investing, partnering from the very beginning.
- Completed 26 deals in Southeast Asian fintech in the last 24 months.
- Explore Antler
12. Betatron Venture Group
Focus: B2B startups across industries like robotics, logistics, and FMCG.
Region: Asia.
Data Points:
- Focus on asset-light companies offering scalable solutions.
- Emphasizes clear exit strategies and scaling potential.
- Learn more about Betatron Venture Group
13. Qualgro VC
Focus: Data, SaaS, and AI startups.
Region: Southeast Asia and ANZ.
Data Points:
- Specializes in growth-stage companies.
- Focus on data, SaaS and AI startups.
- Visit Qualgro VC
Boost Your SEO by Getting Featured in Our Blogs and get a backlink.
We publish content about startups, education, tech, funding, etc. that ranks well not only in Google but also in Perplexity, ChatGPT, Grok and other AI tools.
👉 Get featured now!
14. Global Founders Capital
Focus: Early-stage, providing support to scale.
Region: Global.
Data Points:
- VC arm of the German tech incubator Rocket Internet.
- Offers scaling support to founders.
- Explore Global Founders Capital
15. Lightspeed Venture Partners
Focus: Tech companies.
Region: Global.
Data Points:
- Aims to serve extraordinary people building tomorrow's companies.
- Learn more about Lightspeed Venture Partners
16. Partech
Focus: Software, digital brands and services, and hardware deep tech companies.
Region: Global.
Data Points:
- Global VC firm supporting financing in early and late-stage companies.
- Discover Partech
17. Tiger Global Management
Focus: Wide variety of sectors.
Region: Global.
Data Points:
- Aims to generate world-class investment returns over the long term.
- Explore Tiger Global Management
18. Khosla Ventures
Focus: Technology, energy, health, and financial services.
Region: Global.
Data Points:
- Early-stage startup investments known for backing innovative ideas.
- Visit Khosla Ventures
19. Openspace Ventures
Focus: Early-stage startups.
Region: Southeast Asia.
Data Points:
- Invested in 61 startups specifically in Southeast Asia.
- Learn more about Openspace Ventures
20. Vertex Ventures SEA & India
Focus: Seed, Series A, and B investments.
Region: Southeast Asia and India.
Data Points:
- Fund size: $305 million.
- Discover Vertex Ventures SEA & India
Join F/MS: Startup Facilitator & Incubator and unlock your startup dreams today! Get your first customers, register you company in the Netherlands and get startup visas for the team.
FAQ
Q: What is on the list of top VCs for early-stage startups in Asia for 2025?
A: The list includes diverse firms like 500 Global, East Ventures, Golden Gate Ventures, and Jungle Ventures, focusing primarily on tech and related sectors. Learn more about 500 Global.
Q: Are there any notable early-stage VCs focused specifically on Indonesia?
A: Yes, both East Ventures and Alpha JWC Ventures focus heavily on early-stage investments in Indonesia, backing companies like Tokopedia and Ajaib. Discover East Ventures.
Q: What are some successful investments made by these VCs?
A: Notable investments include Grab and Bukalapak by 500 Global, and Payfazz and Shipper by Insignia Venture Partners. Check out Golden Gate Ventures.
Q: What industries do these VCs typically invest in?
A: The VCs generally invest in technology sectors such as fintech, consumer tech, and enterprise solutions. For example, Wavemaker Partners focuses on deep tech, and Jungle Ventures leans towards consumer tech. Learn more about Wavemaker Partners.
Q: What is the AUM of East Ventures?
A: East Ventures is acknowledged for having garnered various funds over time, often reaching significant AUM figures as they support a multitude of startups across Southeast Asia. Explore the data on East Ventures.
Q: Which VC firm leads in investments across Asia?
A: Gobi Partners operates as a leading Pan-Asian firm, investing in various sectors and focusing on underrepresented markets. Check more about Gobi Partners.
Q: How is the venture capital landscape in Asia expected to change by 2025?
A: The landscape is anticipated to remain dynamic, driven by innovation and changes in key technology sectors like AI and fintech. VCs like Sequoia Capital India/Surge actively adapt their strategies to emerging trends. Visit Sequoia Capital.
Q: Are any VCs from Singapore part of this list?
A: Yes, firms such as Golden Gate Ventures, Jungle Ventures, and Wavemaker Partners are based in Singapore and are known for their strong investment portfolios. Discover more about Golden Gate Ventures.
Q: What role do VCs play in supporting early-stage startups?
A: VCs provide not only capital but also mentorship, resources, and networks that can help startups in scaling effectively. Antler exemplifies this approach with its Day Zero investment strategy. Read about Antler’s approach.
Q: Why is it important to look for early-stage VCs?
A: Early-stage VCs are crucial for startups as they typically understand the unique challenges and opportunities faced by new companies, offering tailored support and investment strategies. Explore the importance of early-stage funding.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.