S-E Asia VCs move to keep edge as regional startups gain global attention

Rising pace and investment size from competition mean they will need to differentiate themselves further, be proactive or get left behind

Published Wed, Sep 1, 2021 · 05:50 AM

Venture capital

Singapore

SOME South-east Asian venture capital (VC) firms are at risk of being jostled out of early-to-growth stage deals by global investors impinging on their turf, as the latter are willing to move quicker and pay higher prices for a piece of the region's booming startup space.

The pace and size of their investments underscore the extent of international interest, as global funds come to scout for what could be the next Grab, Sea or Bukalapak.

With decades of experience in spotting and scaling companies, foreign firms move fast. Industry players say it takes about two to three weeks on average for most global VCs to issue a term sheet for early-to-growth stage deals.

Many South-east Asia VCs, on the other hand, used to take one or tw…