The Business Times
business-time-50
SGSME logo

New wave of SME buyers mining for ‘diamonds in the rough’ in Singapore, Asean

Unlike traditional private equity firms, these niche players have an appetite for micro to small buyouts and longer-term holds

Summarise
google-preferred-sourceAdd BT as a preferred source
Paige Lim

Paige Lim

Published Wed, Apr 30, 2025 · 05:00 AM
    • Gen Capital Partners' co-founders Eric Koh (left) and Zachary Lee. The company aims to partner “operators” – individual would-be entrepreneurs – to buy out profitable regional businesses whose owners are looking to retire or exit.
    • Gen Capital Partners' co-founders Eric Koh (left) and Zachary Lee. The company aims to partner “operators” – individual would-be entrepreneurs – to buy out profitable regional businesses whose owners are looking to retire or exit. PHOTO: TAY CHU YI, BT

    [SINGAPORE] New types of buyers are emerging for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Unlike traditional private equity (PE) firms, these niche players are open to smaller deals and have longer, flexible investment horizons to find and polish these hidden, diamonds in the rough.

    SMEs tend to be overlooked in the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) space. Middle-market PE firms typically pursue deals between US$50 million and US$500 million, while large-cap firms’ deals can exceed US$5 billion.

    PE firms also strive to exit investments within three to seven years to realise their returns.

    Singapore SMEsM&APrivate equitysuccession planning

    TRENDING NOW

    Eugene Lai (left) says that he was sharing a view with Tan Chian Khong that the board needed a refresh and that it was not an explicit direction to resign.

    CSE Global independent director quits after clashes with chairman Eugene Lai over board refresh

    Allowing some older malls to evolve organically could help Orchard Road retain diversity, says one observer.

    Room for more offices, homes and green spaces to make Orchard Road more vibrant

    Siranudh Scott had caused an internet sensation with a video accusing his brother of allegedly abusing him during his childhood years.

    ‘I felt like dying’: Thai Singha beer scion speaks up after disclosure of alleged sexual abuse

    The amendments "aim to protect the competitive process of takeover and merger transactions", says SIC.

    MAS revises takeover and merger code to enhance competition and disclosures

    Latest T-bills Treasury Bills Results & Interest NewsLatest SSB Singapore Savings Bonds NewsLatest COE Certificate of Entitlement News
    Latest Johor-Singapore SEZ NewsLatest BTO Build To Order & Sales of Balance NewsLatest STI Straits Times Index NewsLatest SGX Dividends, Share Price NewsLatest Bonds Market NewsLatest Singapore Stocks To Buy NewsLatest Singapore Economy News
    View More