Future Food Asia
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Aspex Management was founded in 2018 by Hermes Li Ho Kei who was previously the executive MD and Head of Asia Equities at Och-Ziff Capital Management, aka OZ Management. Prior to joining OZ in 2011 Li worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co in Hong Kong.The London School of Economics graduate is now the chief investment officer at Aspex. The Hong Kong firm focuses on equity investments in Pan-Asia, specializing in sectors with long-term market growth potential and companies undergoing structural changes.Aspex led the $64m funding round for South Korean fintech unicorn Toss in August 2019. The P2P money transfer service platform Toss is created by Viva Republica backed by PayPal. Other participants in the round included existing Toss investors Kleiner Perkins, Altos Ventures, Singapore's GIC, Sequoia Capital China, Goodwater Capital and Bessemer Venture Partners.In May 2020, Aspex also invested in another startup Market Kurly, a grocery-delivery service provider that became South Korea’s latest unicorn via the Series E funding round that secured $328m led by DST Global. In July, Aspex also joined the $900m Series C+ funding round of Xpeng Motors, Tesla’s EV rival in China.
Aspex Management was founded in 2018 by Hermes Li Ho Kei who was previously the executive MD and Head of Asia Equities at Och-Ziff Capital Management, aka OZ Management. Prior to joining OZ in 2011 Li worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co in Hong Kong.The London School of Economics graduate is now the chief investment officer at Aspex. The Hong Kong firm focuses on equity investments in Pan-Asia, specializing in sectors with long-term market growth potential and companies undergoing structural changes.Aspex led the $64m funding round for South Korean fintech unicorn Toss in August 2019. The P2P money transfer service platform Toss is created by Viva Republica backed by PayPal. Other participants in the round included existing Toss investors Kleiner Perkins, Altos Ventures, Singapore's GIC, Sequoia Capital China, Goodwater Capital and Bessemer Venture Partners.In May 2020, Aspex also invested in another startup Market Kurly, a grocery-delivery service provider that became South Korea’s latest unicorn via the Series E funding round that secured $328m led by DST Global. In July, Aspex also joined the $900m Series C+ funding round of Xpeng Motors, Tesla’s EV rival in China.
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited
Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited was founded as a jewelry store in Guangzhou in 1929. Listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in December 2011, it is one of the world's largest jewelry companies, with total assets of around US$8 billion. The Group owns several jewelry brands, including Chow Tai Fook, Chow Tai Fook T MARK, Hearts On Fire, MONOLOGUE and SOINLOVE, and operates a retail network in East Asia and the US. The Group invests in other firms through its VMS Legend Investment Fund, which has funded companies from fields such as fintech, hardware, healthcare, streaming media and cloud.
Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited was founded as a jewelry store in Guangzhou in 1929. Listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in December 2011, it is one of the world's largest jewelry companies, with total assets of around US$8 billion. The Group owns several jewelry brands, including Chow Tai Fook, Chow Tai Fook T MARK, Hearts On Fire, MONOLOGUE and SOINLOVE, and operates a retail network in East Asia and the US. The Group invests in other firms through its VMS Legend Investment Fund, which has funded companies from fields such as fintech, hardware, healthcare, streaming media and cloud.
Evolution Media China (EMC) was founded in Beijing by Evolution Media Partners, the investment arm of American talent and sports agency Creative Artists Agency and Evolution Media Capital, in early 2016. EMC currently manages a total of US$350 million in assets. The firm invests primary in startups with potential from the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on China, in sectors such as media, entertainment, sports, advertising and lifestyle.
Evolution Media China (EMC) was founded in Beijing by Evolution Media Partners, the investment arm of American talent and sports agency Creative Artists Agency and Evolution Media Capital, in early 2016. EMC currently manages a total of US$350 million in assets. The firm invests primary in startups with potential from the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on China, in sectors such as media, entertainment, sports, advertising and lifestyle.
Sofina began in 1898 as Société Financière de Transport et d’Entreprises Industrielles, an engineering conglomerate in Belgium. In the late 1960s, Sofina changed course to become an investment company. As a holding company, its major investments lie in the consumer goods, energy, and distribution sectors, with stakes in companies like Danone and communications satellite operator SES. It has also been involved in various venture capital investment activities, both as an LP to other VCs and as a VC itself, running the Sofina Growth portfolio. The Sofina Growth portfolio spans a wide range of sectors and geographies, from China to Southeast Asia, with investments in notable companies like Zilingo, Byju’s and Kopi Kenangan.
Sofina began in 1898 as Société Financière de Transport et d’Entreprises Industrielles, an engineering conglomerate in Belgium. In the late 1960s, Sofina changed course to become an investment company. As a holding company, its major investments lie in the consumer goods, energy, and distribution sectors, with stakes in companies like Danone and communications satellite operator SES. It has also been involved in various venture capital investment activities, both as an LP to other VCs and as a VC itself, running the Sofina Growth portfolio. The Sofina Growth portfolio spans a wide range of sectors and geographies, from China to Southeast Asia, with investments in notable companies like Zilingo, Byju’s and Kopi Kenangan.
Baillee Gifford is a leading UK investment firm founded in Edinburgh in 1908. The firm is wholly owned by the partners, with its HQ in Edinburgh and offices in New York and London. A fourth office was opened in Hong Kong in 2015.Baillie Gifford was originally a law firm that switched to investments in 1909. Its first fund was The Straits Mortgage and Trust Company Limited that was set up to lend money to rubber planters in Asia. Clients include large US pension funds and international corporations in Japan and Australia. As of June 2020, assets under management were valued at £262bn.
Baillee Gifford is a leading UK investment firm founded in Edinburgh in 1908. The firm is wholly owned by the partners, with its HQ in Edinburgh and offices in New York and London. A fourth office was opened in Hong Kong in 2015.Baillie Gifford was originally a law firm that switched to investments in 1909. Its first fund was The Straits Mortgage and Trust Company Limited that was set up to lend money to rubber planters in Asia. Clients include large US pension funds and international corporations in Japan and Australia. As of June 2020, assets under management were valued at £262bn.
Lupa Systems is a private investment company with offices in New York and Mumbai. It was founded in 2019 by Rupert Murdoch’s son James Murdoch with $2bn funding from the overall $71bn sales of the family's 21st Century Fox empire to Disney.Lupa focuses on tech companies in the media industry, as well as impact-driven startups focused on environmental sustainability and emerging markets, particularly in Asia. According to a recent report, Lupa is looking to launch new funds, raising about $150m for each fund from family offices in India. The firm has invested in about 12 companies to date.
Lupa Systems is a private investment company with offices in New York and Mumbai. It was founded in 2019 by Rupert Murdoch’s son James Murdoch with $2bn funding from the overall $71bn sales of the family's 21st Century Fox empire to Disney.Lupa focuses on tech companies in the media industry, as well as impact-driven startups focused on environmental sustainability and emerging markets, particularly in Asia. According to a recent report, Lupa is looking to launch new funds, raising about $150m for each fund from family offices in India. The firm has invested in about 12 companies to date.
Based in San Mateo California, KBW Ventures was founded by HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud. The asset management firm’s CEO is also the chairman of KBW Investments that was founded in 2013 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).KBW Ventures is part of the KBW Group and mainly invests in companies involved in sustainable food, artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies and fintech. In 2019, the VC had already invested in 24 companies in sectors like e-gaming, drones, e-commerce and plant-based proteins. Recently, it also increased its stakes in two Californian biotechs BlueNalu and TurtleTree Labs. The aim is to open up the Middle East markets to global tech companies.
Based in San Mateo California, KBW Ventures was founded by HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud. The asset management firm’s CEO is also the chairman of KBW Investments that was founded in 2013 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).KBW Ventures is part of the KBW Group and mainly invests in companies involved in sustainable food, artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies and fintech. In 2019, the VC had already invested in 24 companies in sectors like e-gaming, drones, e-commerce and plant-based proteins. Recently, it also increased its stakes in two Californian biotechs BlueNalu and TurtleTree Labs. The aim is to open up the Middle East markets to global tech companies.
Based in the Netherlands, Prosus is a global investor in consumer tech and Internet companies. It is a subsidiary of South African tech investment company Naspers. In August 2021 the two companies completed a cross-holding agreement in which Naspers owns 57% of Prosus while Prosus owns 49% of Naspers. The two companies share a single board.Prosus is the largest shareholder in Chinese tech giant Tencent and Russian tech platform Mail.ru. Meanwhile, its venture division invests in a variety of fintech, food delivery, and other consumer tech companies. In Indonesia, it has invested in Bibit, a stock and mutual funds investment platform, as well as fishery trading and community development startup Aruna. It has also invested in edtech platforms like Indian executive learning platform Eruditus, and US-based coding education company SoloLearn.
Based in the Netherlands, Prosus is a global investor in consumer tech and Internet companies. It is a subsidiary of South African tech investment company Naspers. In August 2021 the two companies completed a cross-holding agreement in which Naspers owns 57% of Prosus while Prosus owns 49% of Naspers. The two companies share a single board.Prosus is the largest shareholder in Chinese tech giant Tencent and Russian tech platform Mail.ru. Meanwhile, its venture division invests in a variety of fintech, food delivery, and other consumer tech companies. In Indonesia, it has invested in Bibit, a stock and mutual funds investment platform, as well as fishery trading and community development startup Aruna. It has also invested in edtech platforms like Indian executive learning platform Eruditus, and US-based coding education company SoloLearn.
Founded in 1997, Seventure Partners is one of Europe’s most prolific VC investors with a portfolio of over 200 startups across both tech and non-tech sectors. The French VC has also managed more than 40 exits in total. It mainly focuses on fintech and insurtech, French and German startups and in life sciences in Europe, North America and Asia.Its five funds cover different market segments, ranging from €24m–€200m, with investments of €500,000–€10m per round. Total funding for a company can reach €20m, right through the early to late stages. Recent investments include the $6.7m Series A round of US biotech Dermala and the $10.7m Series A round of US self-cleaning water bottle startup LARQ.
Founded in 1997, Seventure Partners is one of Europe’s most prolific VC investors with a portfolio of over 200 startups across both tech and non-tech sectors. The French VC has also managed more than 40 exits in total. It mainly focuses on fintech and insurtech, French and German startups and in life sciences in Europe, North America and Asia.Its five funds cover different market segments, ranging from €24m–€200m, with investments of €500,000–€10m per round. Total funding for a company can reach €20m, right through the early to late stages. Recent investments include the $6.7m Series A round of US biotech Dermala and the $10.7m Series A round of US self-cleaning water bottle startup LARQ.
Singapore's government-owned investor has a net portfolio value of just over S$300bn, with assets mainly in Asia and Singapore. In recent years it has begun investing in internet and tech companies in emerging markets, including in neighboring Indonesia and other Asian countries.As a state investor, Temasek aligns its investment portfolio and goals with areas that are relevant to Singapore’s national agenda. For example, to mitigate and reduce the effects of climate change, Temasek has set a commitment to reduce the carbon emissions of its portfolio companies, and invest in companies providing decarbonization solutions. It is also investing in biotechnology, medical technology, agritech and foodtech companies, which are some new focus areas in Singapore’s industrial development.
Singapore's government-owned investor has a net portfolio value of just over S$300bn, with assets mainly in Asia and Singapore. In recent years it has begun investing in internet and tech companies in emerging markets, including in neighboring Indonesia and other Asian countries.As a state investor, Temasek aligns its investment portfolio and goals with areas that are relevant to Singapore’s national agenda. For example, to mitigate and reduce the effects of climate change, Temasek has set a commitment to reduce the carbon emissions of its portfolio companies, and invest in companies providing decarbonization solutions. It is also investing in biotechnology, medical technology, agritech and foodtech companies, which are some new focus areas in Singapore’s industrial development.
Co-founder, CCO of Cocuus
Patxi Larumbe is the Spanish CCO and co-founder at 3D printing food tech and cell-based meat startup Cocuus, where he has worked since he co-founded it in 2017. Before Cocuus, Larumbe founded and directed eight other companies, the majority, like Cocuus, also based in Pamplona, Navarre. During his extensive entrepreneurial career, Larumbe had experience with design and manufacturing in 3D processes, which he used to innovate in Cocuus. Before Cocuus, he was a director at his building materials distribution company, On Clima, for two years, which was preceded by a two-year stint heading up Tohama, an IoT tech developer for Somfy products. Prior to that, he was commercial director for 20 years at building services company Terradisa and also founded its Catalonia offices.From 2000–2013, Larumbe was the founder and board member at Acustica Arquitectonica, an acoustic architectural design company and from 1995–2005, he had the same responsibilities at his hospitality company, Ostatu Zaharra. Other companies he founded were were Render (1990–96), Netcorp Factory (1996–2000) and No Solo Futbol ("Not Just Soccer") (2000–2004). Larumbe studied electronics at first degree level in Pamplona.
Patxi Larumbe is the Spanish CCO and co-founder at 3D printing food tech and cell-based meat startup Cocuus, where he has worked since he co-founded it in 2017. Before Cocuus, Larumbe founded and directed eight other companies, the majority, like Cocuus, also based in Pamplona, Navarre. During his extensive entrepreneurial career, Larumbe had experience with design and manufacturing in 3D processes, which he used to innovate in Cocuus. Before Cocuus, he was a director at his building materials distribution company, On Clima, for two years, which was preceded by a two-year stint heading up Tohama, an IoT tech developer for Somfy products. Prior to that, he was commercial director for 20 years at building services company Terradisa and also founded its Catalonia offices.From 2000–2013, Larumbe was the founder and board member at Acustica Arquitectonica, an acoustic architectural design company and from 1995–2005, he had the same responsibilities at his hospitality company, Ostatu Zaharra. Other companies he founded were were Render (1990–96), Netcorp Factory (1996–2000) and No Solo Futbol ("Not Just Soccer") (2000–2004). Larumbe studied electronics at first degree level in Pamplona.
Co-founder, COO of Cocuus
Daniel Rico Aldaz is the Spanish COO and co-founder at 3D printing food tech and cell-based meat startup Cocuus, where he has worked since he co-founded it in 2017. Before Cocuus, Rico founded an industrial design company, Rico Ingenio, which was established in 2009, where he continues to be a founding partner.His last full-time position before Cocuus was at systems automation company Kaizen for less than a year, where he headed up the technical office. Prior to that, Rico briefly led the computer-to-plate (CTP) and quality control departments at printers Estellaprint. For 15 years, until 2016, Rico was founder at his own industrial design company El Seis Y El Cuatro.Rico’s varied career has also seen him as head designer of children's parks and gyms at Mader Play, as an IT teacher at a worker’s foundation and as both a graphic and an artistic designer in two communication agencies and a lighting company. During his career, Rico has had experience with design and manufacturing in 3D processes, which he used to innovate in Cocuus. Rico did not attend university. He studied music and design at high school.
Daniel Rico Aldaz is the Spanish COO and co-founder at 3D printing food tech and cell-based meat startup Cocuus, where he has worked since he co-founded it in 2017. Before Cocuus, Rico founded an industrial design company, Rico Ingenio, which was established in 2009, where he continues to be a founding partner.His last full-time position before Cocuus was at systems automation company Kaizen for less than a year, where he headed up the technical office. Prior to that, Rico briefly led the computer-to-plate (CTP) and quality control departments at printers Estellaprint. For 15 years, until 2016, Rico was founder at his own industrial design company El Seis Y El Cuatro.Rico’s varied career has also seen him as head designer of children's parks and gyms at Mader Play, as an IT teacher at a worker’s foundation and as both a graphic and an artistic designer in two communication agencies and a lighting company. During his career, Rico has had experience with design and manufacturing in 3D processes, which he used to innovate in Cocuus. Rico did not attend university. He studied music and design at high school.
Co-founder, CTO of Meatable
Daan Luining is the Dutch co-founder and CTO at cell-based meat startup Meatable, the first to claim a highly scalable culture technology, where he has worked since 2018. He is also a research director at the Cellular Agriculture Society in Leiden, a joint initiative for cell-based startups to share knowledge and to collaborate on projects to further scale the sector. Luining is also on the board of directors at the not-for-profit Cultured Meat Foundation that promotes sector innovation. His past posts have all been in the area of research, either as a researcher or a technician, and at the same time as completing studies. His last job was as a research strategist at New York-based New Harvest, a callular food rsearch funding body, where he worked for a year and met Dr. Kotter, the inventor of Meatable’s cellular technology. His research positions from 2009–15 were in the area of cell culture, mass spectrometry and DNA sequencing at the Maastricht University, University Medical Center Amsterdam, Utrecht University and Leiden University. Luining holds a master’s in biological sciences from Leiden University in the Netherlands.
Daan Luining is the Dutch co-founder and CTO at cell-based meat startup Meatable, the first to claim a highly scalable culture technology, where he has worked since 2018. He is also a research director at the Cellular Agriculture Society in Leiden, a joint initiative for cell-based startups to share knowledge and to collaborate on projects to further scale the sector. Luining is also on the board of directors at the not-for-profit Cultured Meat Foundation that promotes sector innovation. His past posts have all been in the area of research, either as a researcher or a technician, and at the same time as completing studies. His last job was as a research strategist at New York-based New Harvest, a callular food rsearch funding body, where he worked for a year and met Dr. Kotter, the inventor of Meatable’s cellular technology. His research positions from 2009–15 were in the area of cell culture, mass spectrometry and DNA sequencing at the Maastricht University, University Medical Center Amsterdam, Utrecht University and Leiden University. Luining holds a master’s in biological sciences from Leiden University in the Netherlands.
COO and co-founder of OLIO
Saasha Celestial-One is the American-born COO and co-founder of zero food waste app OLIO. Celestial-One, a name chosen by her hippy parents in rural Iowa, went on to work as an analyst at Morgan Stanley after graduating in economics at the University of Chicago in 1998. She started an MBA program at Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 2002 where she met OLIO’s British co-founder Tessa Clarke.The American banker joined McKinsey & Co in 2003 as an associate in New York and managed to get a transfer to work at McKinsey in London in 2005 when her boyfriend went to study at Cambridge University in England. In 2007, she became VP of business development for American Express. She left Amex in June 2013 and co-founded My Crèche in London as CEO of the pay-as-you-go childcare service. Both OLIO co-founders were mums with young children in North London when they decided to pool together their savings to develop the OLIO app in 2015.
Saasha Celestial-One is the American-born COO and co-founder of zero food waste app OLIO. Celestial-One, a name chosen by her hippy parents in rural Iowa, went on to work as an analyst at Morgan Stanley after graduating in economics at the University of Chicago in 1998. She started an MBA program at Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 2002 where she met OLIO’s British co-founder Tessa Clarke.The American banker joined McKinsey & Co in 2003 as an associate in New York and managed to get a transfer to work at McKinsey in London in 2005 when her boyfriend went to study at Cambridge University in England. In 2007, she became VP of business development for American Express. She left Amex in June 2013 and co-founded My Crèche in London as CEO of the pay-as-you-go childcare service. Both OLIO co-founders were mums with young children in North London when they decided to pool together their savings to develop the OLIO app in 2015.
Roger Federer, the Swiss 20-times Grand Slam tennis champion, has turned into an angel investor while planning his professional life beyond and after his tennis sports career.In 2019, he invested in On, the Swiss running shoe manufacturer for an undisclosed funding amount. Federer currently has no formal role in the company but he’s actively involved in its R&D and product development. “I feel like I can give input on any of the lines, the shoes, anything moving forward. I can give my opinion on anything and On can either take it or leave it. I feel like [with] a major brand like Nike, that's literally impossible. It just wouldn't work,” he has said.More recently, Federer participated in a Series D funding round backing the first Chilean unicorn NotCo, which sells plant-based food and beverage products across Latin America and the US.
Roger Federer, the Swiss 20-times Grand Slam tennis champion, has turned into an angel investor while planning his professional life beyond and after his tennis sports career.In 2019, he invested in On, the Swiss running shoe manufacturer for an undisclosed funding amount. Federer currently has no formal role in the company but he’s actively involved in its R&D and product development. “I feel like I can give input on any of the lines, the shoes, anything moving forward. I can give my opinion on anything and On can either take it or leave it. I feel like [with] a major brand like Nike, that's literally impossible. It just wouldn't work,” he has said.More recently, Federer participated in a Series D funding round backing the first Chilean unicorn NotCo, which sells plant-based food and beverage products across Latin America and the US.
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
Future Food Asia 2021 announces finalists for $100,000 prize
Ten startups from agrifood tech and cleantech sectors will pitch during the five-day conference, are also eligible for two more prizes from sponsors Cargill and Thai Wah
Future Food Asia 2021: Consumers crucial for agrifood growth
President of AppHarvest David Lee thinks consumers must be told the truth about the need for technology for change in food because capitalism and consumerism are powerful forces
Future Food Asia 2021: Agrifood tech at an inflection point
Agrifood tech startups urged to harness consumer, investor and government feedback to create plentiful, nutritious food through sustainable means, but exercise caution when considering IPOs
Future Food Asia 2021: Impact assessments – getting the metrics right
Common impact measures are useful but each situation requires specific, sometimes subjective considerations. The priority is to gauge if the impact has led to positive changes
Future Food Asia 2021: Two winners take home $100,000 each
Agrifood startups, corporations and investors urged to collaborate and take action, tackling challenges in nutrition and climate change
Future Food Asia 2021: Fireside chat with Green Monday's David Yeung
For Chinese startup Green Monday, it’s important to resonate with different local audiences by adapting to local culture and dietary habits and continuously fine-tuning existing products
Future Food Asia 2021: Long road ahead for the clean meat industry
Crucial basic research is still needed to ensure the safety, quality, and production efficiency of lab-grown meat. Concerted public and private sector efforts will accelerate progress
Future Food Asia 2021: Potential of pulses in the alt-protein space
Asia presents a unique opportunity for pulses as people in the region, who traditionally fractionated pulses for starch, now see protein as a useful byproduct
Future Food Asia by ID Capital: Introducing Asia's agrifood startups to the world
More than a meeting of startups and investors, the conference showcases ID Capital’s investment thesis and Big Ag’s support for agrifood tech in the world’s most populous region
China a “positive environment” for uptake of cultured meat, researcher tells Future Food Asia
But for interested cultured meat companies, China-based Chloe Dempsey suggests it would be better to wait, observe and learn more about the market before trying to tap its massive potential
Future Food Asia: Covid-19 sparked dramatic shifts in agriculture in China and India
Key Chinese players from e-commerce giant Pinduoduo and and agritech VC Omnivore share their insights at last week’s agrifood conference by ID Capital
Future Food Asia: Temasek, Continental Grain on investing in agrifood in Singapore and China
The two heavyweight investors discuss opportunities, needs and how agrifood startups can scale in Asian markets
New Food Invest: Growing an alternative protein business in Asia
With more than 4bn people, Asia presents unique opportunities and challenges to alternative protein startups. Four leading entrepreneurs shared their experiences at the recent New Food Invest conference
SWITCH Singapore: Alternative protein sure to take off in Asia, with Singapore as innovation hotbed
In an in-depth discussion, food industry experts say products made with alternative protein in hybrid forms could offer the fastest route to commercialization
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