Accelerating Asia
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Lever VC was founded in 2018 by Nick Cooney, an early investor of Beyond Meat and Memphis Meats. He is also the co-founder of Good Food Institute. Lever has currently invested in 14 startups from the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America.Focused on investments in early-stage alternative protein companies, the firm announced the first close of its Lever VC Fund I in August 2020, with its fourth close at $46m in April 2021. The final close will be completed by June 2021. Investors in the fund include NFL and NBA athletes, British nobility, food businesses, alt-protein companies and family offices as limited partners.In June 2020, Lever launched a $28m joint investment fund and accelerator to invest in Chinese plant-based and cell-cultivated meat and dairy companies. The Lever China Alternative Protein Fund will invest RMB 40m in alt-protein companies in mainland China over the next four years.
Lever VC was founded in 2018 by Nick Cooney, an early investor of Beyond Meat and Memphis Meats. He is also the co-founder of Good Food Institute. Lever has currently invested in 14 startups from the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America.Focused on investments in early-stage alternative protein companies, the firm announced the first close of its Lever VC Fund I in August 2020, with its fourth close at $46m in April 2021. The final close will be completed by June 2021. Investors in the fund include NFL and NBA athletes, British nobility, food businesses, alt-protein companies and family offices as limited partners.In June 2020, Lever launched a $28m joint investment fund and accelerator to invest in Chinese plant-based and cell-cultivated meat and dairy companies. The Lever China Alternative Protein Fund will invest RMB 40m in alt-protein companies in mainland China over the next four years.
American investment capital firm Farallon Capital Management was established in 1986. The company manages equity capital for institutions, including college endowments, charitable foundations and pension plans, and funds for high net worth individuals. While most of its investments are in risk arbitrage and debt restructuring, it has also invested in startups across different verticals, such as Indonesian ride-hailing firm Gojek and a host of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical technology companies.Farallon’s history with Indonesia began long before Gojek came into existence. In 2002, Farallon bought a controlling stake in Bank Central Asia (BCA), an Indonesian bank, during a time when investors avoided Indonesian banks that had been saddled with bad debt. With the controlling stake, Farallon installed a new bank chairman and reformed BCA. Over the next four years Farallon slowly divested in BCA and finally sold the remaining 4% stake in 2006 to earn a profit.
American investment capital firm Farallon Capital Management was established in 1986. The company manages equity capital for institutions, including college endowments, charitable foundations and pension plans, and funds for high net worth individuals. While most of its investments are in risk arbitrage and debt restructuring, it has also invested in startups across different verticals, such as Indonesian ride-hailing firm Gojek and a host of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical technology companies.Farallon’s history with Indonesia began long before Gojek came into existence. In 2002, Farallon bought a controlling stake in Bank Central Asia (BCA), an Indonesian bank, during a time when investors avoided Indonesian banks that had been saddled with bad debt. With the controlling stake, Farallon installed a new bank chairman and reformed BCA. Over the next four years Farallon slowly divested in BCA and finally sold the remaining 4% stake in 2006 to earn a profit.
R&D and business lead and co-founder of Graviky Labs
Anirudh Sharma is one of three co-founders of Graviky Labs, which makes ink out of carbon that is captured from pollution and purified using proprietary technology. This concept was born from Sharma’s experiments making ink from candle soot while doing his master’s at MIT Materials Lab. He currently leads R&D and business at the firm. Sharma’s interests include augmented reality, wearable computing and environmental projects. Over the years, he has developed and patented various technology products with social and environmental impact. He was formerly CTO and co-founder of India’s first wearable technology company, Ducere Technologies, which was later sold. This company makes Lechal, the world’s first smart haptic device for shoes, initially designed by Sharma as a navigation aid for the visually impaired. Sharma also previously worked for Imagin Group at Hewlett Packard Labs, on a multimodal speech and touch-based computer-aided design interface for large displays.Sharma holds a master's from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-led the activities of MIT Media Lab India from 2013–2015. He is a TED and TEDx speaker and has been included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for Asia, MIT Technology Review’s 35 Innovators Under 35, and Foreign Policy magazine’s 100 Global Thinkers of 2016.
Anirudh Sharma is one of three co-founders of Graviky Labs, which makes ink out of carbon that is captured from pollution and purified using proprietary technology. This concept was born from Sharma’s experiments making ink from candle soot while doing his master’s at MIT Materials Lab. He currently leads R&D and business at the firm. Sharma’s interests include augmented reality, wearable computing and environmental projects. Over the years, he has developed and patented various technology products with social and environmental impact. He was formerly CTO and co-founder of India’s first wearable technology company, Ducere Technologies, which was later sold. This company makes Lechal, the world’s first smart haptic device for shoes, initially designed by Sharma as a navigation aid for the visually impaired. Sharma also previously worked for Imagin Group at Hewlett Packard Labs, on a multimodal speech and touch-based computer-aided design interface for large displays.Sharma holds a master's from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-led the activities of MIT Media Lab India from 2013–2015. He is a TED and TEDx speaker and has been included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for Asia, MIT Technology Review’s 35 Innovators Under 35, and Foreign Policy magazine’s 100 Global Thinkers of 2016.
Co-CEO and Co-founder of Notpla (formerly Skipping Rocks Lab)
Rodrigo García González graduated in Architecture at the Technical University of Madrid (ETSAM) in 2009 and also completed various PhD courses in advanced architecture at his alma mater.In 2006, the architect student joined an EU Asia-Link sustainable humane habitat program that included stints at the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University in India. He also won a SMILE scholarship to study industrial design at Pontificia Universidad Católica in Chile for one year. In 2011, he obtained a scholarship to study industrial design and business at Umeå Institute of Design in Sweden. In 2014, he completed two master’s programs in innovation design engineering run by London’s Imperial College and Royal College of Art.In July 2014, he co-founded Skipping Rocks Lab, that was later pivoted into Notpla, a UK-based startup that develops compostable and edible packaging materials made of seaweed and other plants.Since 2007, he has worked with various institutions in Europe, Latin America and the US including Cornell University, CEPT, Imperial College and Royal College of Art. In 2016, he became a senior lecturer for a degree program in product and furniture design at Kingston University.He has two patents for his work on structural and deployable systems. His designs have also been featured in prestigious art centers like the Cite de l'Architecture of Paris and the Venice Biennale of Architecture.Other projects include the Hop! suitcase that can follow the user by tracking the signal of the user’s mobile phone and Aer, an artificial cloud that can evaporate “drinkable” water from the sea. He also developed Zipizip, an architectural system that enables the construction of several floors of a building in a few hours.
Rodrigo García González graduated in Architecture at the Technical University of Madrid (ETSAM) in 2009 and also completed various PhD courses in advanced architecture at his alma mater.In 2006, the architect student joined an EU Asia-Link sustainable humane habitat program that included stints at the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University in India. He also won a SMILE scholarship to study industrial design at Pontificia Universidad Católica in Chile for one year. In 2011, he obtained a scholarship to study industrial design and business at Umeå Institute of Design in Sweden. In 2014, he completed two master’s programs in innovation design engineering run by London’s Imperial College and Royal College of Art.In July 2014, he co-founded Skipping Rocks Lab, that was later pivoted into Notpla, a UK-based startup that develops compostable and edible packaging materials made of seaweed and other plants.Since 2007, he has worked with various institutions in Europe, Latin America and the US including Cornell University, CEPT, Imperial College and Royal College of Art. In 2016, he became a senior lecturer for a degree program in product and furniture design at Kingston University.He has two patents for his work on structural and deployable systems. His designs have also been featured in prestigious art centers like the Cite de l'Architecture of Paris and the Venice Biennale of Architecture.Other projects include the Hop! suitcase that can follow the user by tracking the signal of the user’s mobile phone and Aer, an artificial cloud that can evaporate “drinkable” water from the sea. He also developed Zipizip, an architectural system that enables the construction of several floors of a building in a few hours.
Bamboo Capital Partners is an impact investment company that focuses on supporting energy access, finance and healthcare-related ventures in developing countries. The company manages 10 investment funds across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, with companies in Indonesia, India, Kyrgyz Republic, and Brazil having received investments from this company. Bamboo Capital Partners states that their portfolio healthcare companies have served 3.4m patients, and 9.68m metric tons of CO2 emissions have been avoided through the use of solar panels and green energy championed by their startups.Bamboo Capital Partners have worked with governments and major investment groups to support the fulfillment of SDG goals through startup investing. In 2020, Bamboo Capital Partners was appointed by the government of Madagascar and the World Bank as the fund manager for the $40m Off-Grid Market Development Fund. Bamboo is also a partner of the Palladium Group, which owns a minority stake in the VC.
Bamboo Capital Partners is an impact investment company that focuses on supporting energy access, finance and healthcare-related ventures in developing countries. The company manages 10 investment funds across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, with companies in Indonesia, India, Kyrgyz Republic, and Brazil having received investments from this company. Bamboo Capital Partners states that their portfolio healthcare companies have served 3.4m patients, and 9.68m metric tons of CO2 emissions have been avoided through the use of solar panels and green energy championed by their startups.Bamboo Capital Partners have worked with governments and major investment groups to support the fulfillment of SDG goals through startup investing. In 2020, Bamboo Capital Partners was appointed by the government of Madagascar and the World Bank as the fund manager for the $40m Off-Grid Market Development Fund. Bamboo is also a partner of the Palladium Group, which owns a minority stake in the VC.
US-French private equity company L Catterton is based in Greenwich, USA, with 17 offices around the world and over $28bn of equity capital. It mostly invests in the consumer industry as well as real estate and technology startups.Founded in 1989 and currently led by co-CEOs Michael Chu and Scott Dahnke, in 2016, L Catterton partnered with the LVMH Group and Groupe Arnault combining Catterton's operations with LVMH and Groupe Arnault's real estate and private equity operations across Europe Asia, and North America. The partnership formed the largest global consumer-focused private equity firm yet the 31st largest private equity firm in the world. L Catterton holds majority stakes in companies like Birkenstock, Crystal Jade, Bliss, John Hardy amongst others; it also invests in technology startups in their growth and hyper-growth phases. Most notable investments include Aleph Farms, ClassPass, and more recently the plant-based products manufacturer NotCo. Its latest growth fund, L Catterton Growth IV, targets an investment range of $10m–$75m in North America and Europe.
US-French private equity company L Catterton is based in Greenwich, USA, with 17 offices around the world and over $28bn of equity capital. It mostly invests in the consumer industry as well as real estate and technology startups.Founded in 1989 and currently led by co-CEOs Michael Chu and Scott Dahnke, in 2016, L Catterton partnered with the LVMH Group and Groupe Arnault combining Catterton's operations with LVMH and Groupe Arnault's real estate and private equity operations across Europe Asia, and North America. The partnership formed the largest global consumer-focused private equity firm yet the 31st largest private equity firm in the world. L Catterton holds majority stakes in companies like Birkenstock, Crystal Jade, Bliss, John Hardy amongst others; it also invests in technology startups in their growth and hyper-growth phases. Most notable investments include Aleph Farms, ClassPass, and more recently the plant-based products manufacturer NotCo. Its latest growth fund, L Catterton Growth IV, targets an investment range of $10m–$75m in North America and Europe.
H&M’s first shop was founded 74 years ago in Sweden by Erling Persson under the name “Hennes”, Swedish for "hers" since the shop was selling only women's apparel. In 1968, Persson expanded into menswear by acquiring Swedish retailer Mauritz Widforss. Hence the rebranding of the company into Hennes & Mauritz (H&M). In 1974, H&M was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Since then, H&M has expanding internationally opening its first store in London and the rest of Europe and also to the US in early 2000.In 2008, the company also moved into the home furnishings segment and launched H&M Home stores worldwide. The fashion chain can now be found across Europe, the US, Asia and the Middle East. The group expanded further by acquiring fast-fashion brands like Weekday, Monki and Cheap Monday. In April 2021, H&M Group announced a collaboration with textile cleantech Infinited Fiber to launch proof-of-concept denim created wholly from regenerated textile waste as part of its commitment to use only recycled or sustainably sourced materials by 2030.
H&M’s first shop was founded 74 years ago in Sweden by Erling Persson under the name “Hennes”, Swedish for "hers" since the shop was selling only women's apparel. In 1968, Persson expanded into menswear by acquiring Swedish retailer Mauritz Widforss. Hence the rebranding of the company into Hennes & Mauritz (H&M). In 1974, H&M was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Since then, H&M has expanding internationally opening its first store in London and the rest of Europe and also to the US in early 2000.In 2008, the company also moved into the home furnishings segment and launched H&M Home stores worldwide. The fashion chain can now be found across Europe, the US, Asia and the Middle East. The group expanded further by acquiring fast-fashion brands like Weekday, Monki and Cheap Monday. In April 2021, H&M Group announced a collaboration with textile cleantech Infinited Fiber to launch proof-of-concept denim created wholly from regenerated textile waste as part of its commitment to use only recycled or sustainably sourced materials by 2030.
LeapFrog Investments is an impact-focused investor, managing over $1.6bn in assets mainly investing in Africa and Asia. Its “profit with purpose” has led to investments in startups that provide healthcare, financial services and insurance for low-income consumers. Since it was founded in 2007, LeapFrog has attracted funds from Prudential, AXA, Swiss Re and Omidyar Network, becoming the first impact investor in the world to reach the $1bn milestone. It’s headquartered in South Africa and Singapore.LeapFrog is best known for its investments in the insurance sector. One of the most prominent companies in its portfolio is BIMA, the mobile-based insurance provider that has provided coverage in Ghana, Bangladesh, Cambodia and many other countries. In 2020, LeapFrog invested in Indonesian startup PasarPolis, which is a broker for a wide range of microinsurance products. In the healthcare and biotechnology sectors, LeapFrog has funded Indian genetic diagnostics company MedGenome, as well as Goodlife Pharmacy, a Kenyan company providing access to affordable medicine in the East African country.
LeapFrog Investments is an impact-focused investor, managing over $1.6bn in assets mainly investing in Africa and Asia. Its “profit with purpose” has led to investments in startups that provide healthcare, financial services and insurance for low-income consumers. Since it was founded in 2007, LeapFrog has attracted funds from Prudential, AXA, Swiss Re and Omidyar Network, becoming the first impact investor in the world to reach the $1bn milestone. It’s headquartered in South Africa and Singapore.LeapFrog is best known for its investments in the insurance sector. One of the most prominent companies in its portfolio is BIMA, the mobile-based insurance provider that has provided coverage in Ghana, Bangladesh, Cambodia and many other countries. In 2020, LeapFrog invested in Indonesian startup PasarPolis, which is a broker for a wide range of microinsurance products. In the healthcare and biotechnology sectors, LeapFrog has funded Indian genetic diagnostics company MedGenome, as well as Goodlife Pharmacy, a Kenyan company providing access to affordable medicine in the East African country.
Founded in 1998, Asiaec Partnership is one of the earliest venture capital firms in China, with about 20 funds under management. It has invested in 100+ companies, of which about one-third have gone public, with an IRR of over 35%.
Founded in 1998, Asiaec Partnership is one of the earliest venture capital firms in China, with about 20 funds under management. It has invested in 100+ companies, of which about one-third have gone public, with an IRR of over 35%.
Co-founder and Group CMO of Orami
Shannon Kalayanamitr is an entrepreneur with 17 years of international business experience. In 2012, she founded a women’s e-commerce site Moxy. When Moxy was acquired by WhatsNew Group in 2014, she became the group’s CMO. She remained as CMO after Moxy merged with Bilna to form Orami in 2016.The graduate in Business Administration, from Thammasat University in Thailand, was featured in the 2016 Campaign Asia’s 40 Under 40 list of high achieving individuals in the marketing industry. She has also worked at PwC, Lehman Brothers and Boonrawd Trading International, the global distributor of Singha Beer.
Shannon Kalayanamitr is an entrepreneur with 17 years of international business experience. In 2012, she founded a women’s e-commerce site Moxy. When Moxy was acquired by WhatsNew Group in 2014, she became the group’s CMO. She remained as CMO after Moxy merged with Bilna to form Orami in 2016.The graduate in Business Administration, from Thammasat University in Thailand, was featured in the 2016 Campaign Asia’s 40 Under 40 list of high achieving individuals in the marketing industry. She has also worked at PwC, Lehman Brothers and Boonrawd Trading International, the global distributor of Singha Beer.
Co-founder and CEO of Kioson
Jasin Halim read a master’s in Marketing and Finance at Monash University in 1990, while working as a lecturer in Computer Science. He returned to Indonesia in 1992 to establish a mail order company that was shut down due to the 1998 Asian financial crisis. Undaunted, he went on to establish a TV shopping company and a VOIP company. He also founded PT Mitra Cipta Teknologi, the company behind e-commerce HargaHot in 2012. However, Jasin later decided to quit HargaHot to co-found Kioson in 2015.
Jasin Halim read a master’s in Marketing and Finance at Monash University in 1990, while working as a lecturer in Computer Science. He returned to Indonesia in 1992 to establish a mail order company that was shut down due to the 1998 Asian financial crisis. Undaunted, he went on to establish a TV shopping company and a VOIP company. He also founded PT Mitra Cipta Teknologi, the company behind e-commerce HargaHot in 2012. However, Jasin later decided to quit HargaHot to co-found Kioson in 2015.
Co-founder and CEO of eFishery
Gibran Huzaifah ran a composting business and a catfish farm while reading a degree in Biology at Institut Teknologi Bandung in Indonesia. After graduating in 2012, he teamed up with fellow ITB alumnus Chrisna Aditya to establish an aquaculture tech firm PT Multidaya Teknologi Nusantara, aka Cybreed. In 2013, it launched eFishery, an automatic feeder system for aquaculture farms. In 2017, Gibran’s achievements earned him a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list of notable Asian figures.
Gibran Huzaifah ran a composting business and a catfish farm while reading a degree in Biology at Institut Teknologi Bandung in Indonesia. After graduating in 2012, he teamed up with fellow ITB alumnus Chrisna Aditya to establish an aquaculture tech firm PT Multidaya Teknologi Nusantara, aka Cybreed. In 2013, it launched eFishery, an automatic feeder system for aquaculture farms. In 2017, Gibran’s achievements earned him a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list of notable Asian figures.
Co-founder and CEO of PopBox Asia
Adrian Lim is PopBox Asia’s co-founder and CEO, establishing the smart locker startup in 2015. Between 2001 and 2003, Lim worked as an engineer at Lucent Technologies (which merged with Alcatel). He was later a director at the TAK Group, a multinational property conglomerate. He is also an advisor to Block71, the startup incubator run by the National University of Singapore.Lim holds a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the Imperial College of London, as well as a master’s in the same field from the University of Michigan, USA.
Adrian Lim is PopBox Asia’s co-founder and CEO, establishing the smart locker startup in 2015. Between 2001 and 2003, Lim worked as an engineer at Lucent Technologies (which merged with Alcatel). He was later a director at the TAK Group, a multinational property conglomerate. He is also an advisor to Block71, the startup incubator run by the National University of Singapore.Lim holds a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the Imperial College of London, as well as a master’s in the same field from the University of Michigan, USA.
Co-founder of Uniplaces, Co-founder of StudentFinance
Armed with Asian and European experience, Miguel Amaro co-founded Uniplaces in 2011. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Nottingham, and took a course in Chinese Studies at East China Normal University. He obtained his master’s in Management, with a focus on Global Entrepreneurship, from Babson Graduate School. Amaro also spent two months as an analyst at Grameen Bank in Dhaka, Bangladesh. While developing Uniplaces, he was an entrepreneur-in-residence at Picvic Labs (France), Zhejiang University Innovation Institute (China) and Osram (United States). Amaro is currently part of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers.
Armed with Asian and European experience, Miguel Amaro co-founded Uniplaces in 2011. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Nottingham, and took a course in Chinese Studies at East China Normal University. He obtained his master’s in Management, with a focus on Global Entrepreneurship, from Babson Graduate School. Amaro also spent two months as an analyst at Grameen Bank in Dhaka, Bangladesh. While developing Uniplaces, he was an entrepreneur-in-residence at Picvic Labs (France), Zhejiang University Innovation Institute (China) and Osram (United States). Amaro is currently part of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers.
Co-founder of Ajaib
During her time as a consultant at McKinsey from 2012 to 2014, Yada Piyajomkwan worked with governments from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on financial inclusion. The topic became her focus of study when she enrolled at the Stanford Graduate School of Business’ MBA program as a Fulbright scholar. After earning her MBA, she and fellow Stanford alumnus Anderson Sumarli established online investment advisory startup Ajaib.
During her time as a consultant at McKinsey from 2012 to 2014, Yada Piyajomkwan worked with governments from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on financial inclusion. The topic became her focus of study when she enrolled at the Stanford Graduate School of Business’ MBA program as a Fulbright scholar. After earning her MBA, she and fellow Stanford alumnus Anderson Sumarli established online investment advisory startup Ajaib.
Accelerating Asia bets on unicorn wave from MSME digitalization, logistics
The investor-accelerator’s sixth batch will start accepting applications in December, with greater ESG focus and a pledge to donate 1% of profit on investments to charity
Accelerating Asia's Amra Naidoo: We’re at an inflection point in Southeast Asia
Accelerating Asia’s co-founder Amra Naidoo reveals how the program adapts its curriculum to meet startups’ needs and the challenges accelerator programs face during the pandemic
Analysing and leveraging data: Interview with Datanest co-founders
From credit scoring to demand forecasting, Datanest has built many machine-learning products and looks to raise new funding, expand beyond Indonesia
With universal QR code, Indonesia achieves e-payment harmony
The move to standardize Indonesia's QR code is expected to unify the country's cashless payments system and lift tens of thousands of small merchants into the payments mainstream
Verkor: Accelerating low‑carbon battery production in France
French startup Verkor aims to raise up to €1.3bn by the end of next year to finance its first Gigafactory producing sustainable lithium-ion batteries for the European market
Indonesia's Green Rebel Foods to take its Asian-inspired plant-based meat regional
F&B veteran duo behind the Burgreens spinoff plans Series A fundraising by end-2021 for manufacturing and regional expansion
ID Capital CEO & founder Isabelle Decitre, an early mover investing in Asian agrifood startups
An early backer of Ynsect, one of the best-funded insect protein startups to date, Decitre sees growing interest in agrifood tech startups, but notes they still need to offer exit opportunities
Southeast Asian startups to keep riding digitalization, IPO boom, investors say
O2O business models and growing interest in ESG are also key themes, as regional startups gain $4.4bn of funding in first half of 2021
RecyGlo, Myanmar's first circular economy waste management system, targets regional growth
Turning trash into cash, Yangon-based recycling pioneer RecyGlo wants to extend its zero-waste circular economy model to the rest of Southeast Asia
South Summit 2021: European seed investment is booming post-Covid
Investors from The Fund, Northzone and Pale Blue Dot highlight climate change, consumer credit and business tools as hot areas to follow
iLoF: Accelerating access to personalized medicine, from a drop of blood
Backed by Microsoft’s venture fund M12, Mayfield and Melinda Gates’s Pivotal Ventures, iLoF focuses on painless screening to facilitate disease detection, forecasting and drug development, from Alzheimer’s to Covid-19
Future Food Asia 2021: Regenerative agriculture in Asia
The unique challenges facing regenerative agriculture in Asia require solutions different from those in the West, presenting opportunities for microfinancing and impact investment
SWITCH Singapore 2021: Tapping the $1tn sustainability market in Southeast Asia
Falling costs and simplified deployment of sustainability solutions will help boost adoption, especially in underprivileged communities
New Food Invest: Opportunities in the European alt-protein space
With a record €2.4bn investment in 2019, Europe’s foodtech sector appears poised for continued growth, but startups, corporations, governments and even universities can do more, experts say
Drone Hopper: Firefighters of the future
A senior Airbus engineer from Spain has developed heavy-duty autonomous drones to quell wildfires safely
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