Southeast Asia VC Funds

Vibe Capital is a venture fund founded by Ankur Nagpal, known for its focus on early-stage investments in technology-driven startups. The fund's strategy is centered on identifying and supporting innovative companies, particularly those in emerging markets like India, Brazil, and across Africa, reflecting a belief in the transformative power of venture capital in these rapidly growing regions. Vibe Capital has raised two funds so far: the first at $12 million and the second at $70 million, with a significant portion of investments directed outside the U.S. The fund targets sectors like AI, Web3, and deep tech, emphasizing a proactive approach to wellness, financial innovation, and entrepreneurship-enabling platforms. What sets Vibe Capital apart is its no-management-fee structure, ensuring that all raised capital is directed into startups, with a third of the fund's capital coming from the founders themselves. The fund is particularly attractive to entrepreneurs due to the hands-on experience of its team, who are all former founders and operators, providing invaluable support in growth, marketing, and go-to-market strategies. The fund’s network is another strong point, with ties to prominent investors and firms like Bessemer and General Catalyst, offering startups crucial connections for future fundraising.

Volt Capital is a San Francisco-based, crypto-native venture capital firm founded in 2018 by Soona Amhaz. The firm focuses on early-stage investments, specifically targeting pre-seed and seed rounds in the blockchain, Web3, and cryptocurrency sectors. Volt is known for its technical expertise and hands-on approach, often partnering closely with founders to help scale their networks and ecosystems. The firm’s portfolio features notable companies like Nansen, Magic Eden, LayerZero, and Sound, all of which are shaping the future of decentralized technologies. Volt Capital typically invests with check sizes ranging from $100K to $1M, offering more than just capital—they provide operational support through Volt Labs, helping startups with product architecture, liquidity provisioning, and market cycle navigation. Volt Capital has backing from industry heavyweights, including Marc Andreessen and Chris Dixon from a16z, as well as Elad Gil and Balaji Srinivasan. Their deep network and commitment to technical innovation have made them a key player in the crypto and Web3 investment landscape​.

Plus Venture Capital (+VC) is a prominent seed-stage fund with a laser focus on tech and tech-enabled startups across the MENA region and its diaspora. Founded by Hasan Haider and Sharif El-Badawi in 2020, the firm leverages its deep experience in building and scaling startups to back high-potential companies. Notable portfolio companies include Educatly, a B2C information service platform, Thndr, a fintech startup, and Suplyd, which focuses on digital logistics solutions​. +VC’s strategy is to lead investments at the seed stage, often continuing support through Series A, providing startups with capital and hands-on mentorship. Their emphasis is on scaling companies with innovative, future-proof solutions, primarily within fintech, healthtech, SaaS, and e-commerce sectors. The firm has a strict geographic focus on the MENA region, with an openness to founders in the global diaspora. Average check sizes vary depending on the stage, but the firm is known for being founder-friendly and expedient in decision-making. Their co-founders have a wealth of operational experience, having navigated their own startup failures and successes. The team, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, is led by Haider, El-Badawi, and principal Zainab Al Sharif.

Wavemaker Partners is a leading early-stage venture capital firm with dual headquarters in Los Angeles and Singapore. The firm focuses primarily on enterprise, deep tech, and sustainability startups, especially in Southeast Asia and Southern California. Since its founding in 2003, Wavemaker has raised over $600 million and invested in more than 400 companies globally. Key investments include Moka (acquired by Gojek), Wavecell (acquired by 8x8), and Red Dot Payment (acquired by PayU). In Southeast Asia, the firm has been involved with startups like GudangAda, a B2B marketplace, and Transcelestial, which focuses on laser communications. Wavemaker is known for its emphasis on fintech, enterprise software, and deep tech, backing startups that address critical market needs with scalable solutions. Typically leading early rounds, Wavemaker provides financial backing and strategic support, with a strong interest in sectors like AI, quantum computing, and sustainability. Its cross-border presence and active investment strategy make it a major player in the global venture capital landscape.

Zanichelli Venture, based in Bologna, Italy, is the venture capital arm of Zanichelli Editore, a leading educational publisher. Founded in 2019, the firm focuses on early-stage investments in edtech and innovative learning solutions. Zanichelli Venture's mission is to support nascent companies with transformative ideas in education, spanning from early childhood learning to lifelong professional development. The firm targets startups looking for pre-seed or seed funding to empower learners and educators alike. The firm’s investment philosophy emphasizes collaboration, leveraging Zanichelli's extensive expertise in education. Their approach integrates digital product design, editorial resources, and IT capabilities, fostering mutual growth for both the startups and Zanichelli. This long-term, trust-based strategy nurtures deep partnerships with founders, often evolving into more significant support as the startups mature. Zanichelli Venture maintains a global outlook, co-investing with trusted local partners in promising startups. Notable investments include Tomorrow University, Data Masters, Zick Learn, and EvidenceB, which all focus on revolutionizing education through AI, adaptive learning, and innovative teaching methodologies. The firm is committed to shaping the future of education by backing daring ideas that aim to transform learning experiences for students, professionals, and educators worldwide.