Singapore is now the main place for private capital to enter Asia and many of the world’s most important investment firms have their regional headquarters there. The city-state’s strategic location, strong legal system and deep capital markets draw a wide range of private equity players, including sovereign wealth funds, global multi-asset investors, sector-focused specialists and mid-market buyout firms.
There is a lot of variety and complexity in Singapore’s private equity market. Companies can be anything from government-linked investment firms with hundreds of billions of dollars in assets to specialized healthcare investors and buyout houses that focus on operations. Based on their market reputation, fund size, investment history and effect on the regional economy, this list shows five of the most important private equity firms in Singapore.
How we selected the top private equity firms
This list is based on things that are especially important for private equity in Singapore. Firms were judged on their investment thesis, how well-known they were in the investment community, how many assets they managed, how specialized they were in a certain sector and how successful their portfolio companies and exits were. This ranking is not an official ranking; it’s a carefully chosen list to help stakeholders get a better idea of the main players in Singapore’s private equity market.
List of top 5 private equity firms in Singapore
- Temasek Holdings
- Heliconia Capital Management
- Navis Capital Partners
- Dymon Asia Private Equity
- Quadria Capital
Closer look at each private equity firm
1. Temasek Holdings
Temasek Holdings is a global investment company based in Singapore. Its portfolio is worth more than S$380 billion. Many people call Temasek a sovereign wealth fund, but it actually works as an active investor with a business goal. It was founded in 1974. The company puts money into a wide range of fields, including telecommunications, life sciences, fintech and infrastructure. Its long-term investment strategy is to create lasting value while encouraging innovation and national growth.
Key investment areas
- Telecommunications and media: Important jobs at Singtel and other major telecom companies in the region
- Life sciences and healthcare: Big investments in companies like BioNTech show a commitment to new ideas in healthcare.
- Financial services: A big part of DBS Group, Singapore’s main bank
- Technology and fintech: They are active in the tech world through direct investments and partnerships with funds.
- Infrastructure and industry: Strategic investments that help the region grow
Notable strengths or differentiators
- Temasek has a portfolio worth more than S$380 billion, making it the largest in the world. This means that companies can get patient, long-term capital that can help them through many growth phases.
- Global network: Portfolio companies can grow internationally with strategic support because they have a strong presence in major economies.
- ESG leadership: A strong environmental, social and governance mandate that is built into all investment choices
- National connectivity: A thorough understanding of Singapore’s economic goals and rules
- Forward-looking approach: Known for a diverse and future-focused investment strategy that looks ahead to global trends
Ideal investment stage
The ideal investment stage ranges from growth-stage to late-stage companies that have proven business models and significant scaling potential. This stage is particularly suitable for businesses that are in search of strategic investors who possess long-term horizons and are globally connected.
Contact information
Official website: www.temasek.com.sg
2. Heliconia Capital Management
Temasek owns Heliconia Capital completely. It was set up with the specific goal of helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore by investing directly in their businesses. The company focuses on high-potential businesses that want to grow in their region. It gives them not only money but also strategic business support to help local champions grow beyond their markets.
Key investment areas
- Consumer and lifestyle: The portfolio includes TWG Tea, a luxury tea brand from Singapore that has grown around the world.
- Logistics and supply chain: Putting money into YCH Group, a top logistics company in the area
- Focus on mid-sized Singapore companies with proven business models and room to grow for high-growth SMEs.
- Strategic growth capital: Investments that fill the gap between venture capital and big private equity.
Notable strengths or differentiators
- Unique mission: Focused on helping Singaporean small and medium-sized businesses grow, which is a crucial need in the funding ecosystem.
- Temasek support: You get access to the resources, network and credibility of one of the biggest investment firms in the world.
- Value-add approach: Offers more than just money, like strategic advice, governance help and connections around the world.
- Proven track record: Supported well-known local success stories like TWG Tea and YCH Group
- Growth Bridge helps companies go from being mid-sized businesses to regional champions.
Ideal investment stage
We are looking for growth-stage Singaporean SMEs that have strong fundamentals and clear potential for regional expansion. These businesses are especially well-suited for founder-led enterprises looking for a partner who possesses a deep understanding of the local market and has global connectivity.
Contact information
Official website: https://www.heliconiacapital.com/
3. Navis Capital Partners
Navis Capital Partners is a private equity firm that focuses on investments in Southeast Asia. It has a regional office in Singapore. The company buys out mid-sized businesses in the food and beverage, healthcare and business services sectors. Navis is known for focusing on control investments and long-term operational improvement. It usually keeps portfolio companies around for a long time to create long-term value.
Key investment areas
- Food and drink: A big investment in QSR Brands, which runs KFC and Pizza Hut in Southeast Asia.
- The portfolio includes Laureate Malaysia, which shows a commitment to the education sector.
- Healthcare: Involved in healthcare services and businesses that are related to them
- Business services: Putting money into companies that offer important B2B services
- Control investments: Focus on buying majority stakes to change how the business works.
Notable strengths or differentiators
- Hands-on operational approach: a strong commitment to improving the performance of portfolio companies through active management
- Long-term orientation: Keeps investments for a long time to make sure they keep making money.
- Southeast Asia focus: a lot of knowledge about different markets and rules in the region
- Proven ability to buy: Lots of experience with control transactions in mid-sized companies
- Sector depth: Particular strength in consumer-facing industries, including F&B and education
Ideal investment stage
Mid-sized companies in Southeast Asia are seeking a controlling partner with deep operational expertise and a long-term commitment. This investment stage is particularly suitable for businesses that require fundamental transformation to achieve their full potential.
Contact information
Official website: www.naviscapital.com
4. Dymon Asia Private Equity
Dymon Asia Capital, a well-known alternative investment firm based in Singapore, owns Dymon Asia Private Equity. The private equity funds division focuses on growth capital and buyouts for small and medium-sized businesses in Southeast Asia, especially in Singapore and Malaysia. Dymon Asia is known for being able to keep the culture of a company led by its founders while also putting in place systems that help the company grow and expand into other countries.
Key investment areas
- Consumer and retail: Putting money into Swee Heng Bakery, a chain of bakeries in Singapore
- Logistics and distribution: The portfolio includes Transworld Group, which shows that the company is strong in the supply chain.
- Founder-led businesses: Specialises in partnering with entrepreneurial founders to accelerate growth
- Buyouts and growth capital: a flexible mandate that covers everything from small investments to controlling transactions
- Southeast Asia focus: Singapore and Malaysia are the main interests, but there are also interests in the rest of the region.
Notable strengths or differentiators
- Founder-friendly approach: Recognised for preserving company culture while introducing professional systems
- Alternative investment heritage: Dymon Asia Capital has more experience with hedge funds and private markets, which is a plus.
- Focus on scalability: Helps businesses build the infrastructure they need to grow in new areas.
- Mid-market expertise: a lot of experience in the SME segment, which is where many bigger companies don’t focus.
- Cultural preservation: Known for keeping the entrepreneurial spirit alive that helped portfolio companies succeed
Ideal investment stage
Small to medium-sized founder-led businesses in Southeast Asia are seeking growth capital and operational support. This stage is especially appropriate for companies that are prepared to expand regionally while maintaining their unique identity.
Contact information
Official website: www.dymonasiape.com
5. Quadria Capital
Quadria Capital is based in Singapore and only works in the healthcare sector in South and Southeast Asia. Quadria is one of the best private equity firms in the area that focuses on healthcare. It puts money into hospitals, diagnostics, medical devices and healthcare IT. The company helps its portfolio companies meet the region’s growing need for high-quality healthcare services by combining deep knowledge of the industry with strategic support.
Key investment areas
- Hospitals and healthcare services: The portfolio includes Medica Synergie, a chain of hospitals in India.
- Pharmaceuticals: Investing in Concord Biotech shows a commitment to life sciences.
- Medical devices: Active across manufacturers of devices and equipment that serve regional markets
- Diagnostics: Putting money into labs and diagnostic service providers
- Healthcare IT: Technology-enabled healthcare solutions improving access and efficiency
Notable strengths or differentiators
- Pure healthcare focus: Unmatched sector expertise as one of Asia’s leading dedicated healthcare investors
- Regional scale: a strong presence in both South and Southeast Asia, which makes it possible to work together across borders.
- Strategic value-add: Offers operational and strategic support that is specific to healthcare businesses
- Demographic tailwinds: set to gain from the growing middle class in Asia that needs more healthcare
- Proven exits: Track record of successful investments and exits in healthcare across multiple markets
Ideal investment stage
Growth-stage healthcare companies across Asia are seeking capital and strategic support to expand their operations. This is especially appropriate for companies operating in the fields of hospitals, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and healthcare technology.
Contact information
Official website: www.quadriacapital.com
How to choose the right private equity partner in Singapore
First, agree on the size of the stage and the investment. Different companies focus on different areas. For example, Heliconia focuses on small and medium-sized businesses in Singapore that need growth capital, while Navis looks for control investments in mid-sized companies. Temasek usually makes big investments with a lot of money on the line. Make sure that the company’s usual investments fit with the amount of money you need.
Second, check how much the person knows about the field. Look at each firm’s portfolio to see how well they know your field. Quadria Capital is the best at healthcare, while Navis has a lot of experience in the food and drink business through investments like QSR Brands. Companies with relevant domain expertise offer more useful strategic advice than just money.
Third, think about where you want to focus. Partnerships with networks in your target markets can help you a lot if you want to grow regionally. Dymon Asia is mostly in Singapore and Malaysia, while Quadria is in both South and Southeast Asia. Temasek connects major economies around the world.
Fourth, look at value-adds other than money. Check the history of each firm in helping portfolio companies improve their operations, get strategic advice and make connections around the world. Navis’s hands-on approach to running a business and Dymon Asia’s focus on scalability for founders are two different but useful ways to work together.
Fifth, look at what kind of control you want. Some companies, like Navis, usually look for control investments with a majority stake. Heliconia and others give minority growth capital while letting the founder keep control. Pick a partner whose way of investing fits with how you want the company to grow.
Sixth, think about ESG and how well your values match. Temasek’s strong ESG mandate and Quadria’s focus on healthcare show how shared values can make partnerships stronger than just making money.
Singapore’s private equity market has top-notch options for businesses of all sizes and in many different fields. Temasek Holdings gives growth-stage companies looking for patient, long-term capital the best scale and global reach. Heliconia Capital Management helps Singaporean small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that want to expand into other parts of the world. Navis Capital Partners has a lot of experience running businesses and works directly with mid-market buyouts in Southeast Asia. Dymon Asia Private Equity gives founders growth capital that is friendly to them and focuses on keeping the entrepreneurial culture alive. Quadria Capital offers specialized healthcare knowledge throughout South and Southeast Asia.
The right partner for your business will depend on its size, industry, geographic goals and funding needs. We suggest working with more than one firm, getting references from their portfolio companies and picking a partner whose skills, investment philosophy and values are in line with your long-term goals.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the difference between private equity and venture capital?
Private equity usually puts money into older companies that already have steady cash flows. They often take controlling stakes and use leverage to boost returns. Private equity firms work to make businesses more efficient, improve their operations and change their strategies. Venture capitalists invest in early-stage, high-growth companies that have a lot of potential but haven’t proven their business models yet. They usually take small stakes and give the companies strategic advice along with money.
2. How much funding can Singapore companies raise from private equity firms?
The amount of funding varies a lot depending on the size, stage and industry of the company. Most mid-market investments are between S$20 million and S$100 million, but bigger deals can be worth more than S$500 million. Because of its size, Temasek’s investments often require a lot more money. Heliconia focuses on small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) with smaller investments that are right for Singaporean companies that are still growing.
3. What do private equity firms look for in Singaporean companies?
Strong management teams, clear competitive positioning, proven business models, cash flows that last and realistic paths to growth are all important factors. Private equity firms also look at how likely the business is to improve its operations, grow into new markets and fit with their area of expertise. For businesses run by their founders, cultural fit and planning for the future are often crucial.
4. Are Singapore private equity firms only interested in technology companies?
No, private equity firms in Singapore put money into a wide range of industries. A lot of people are interested in technology, but companies like Navis focus on food and drink and business services, Quadria only works in healthcare and Heliconia only works with consumer brands and logistics companies. Temasek has a wide range of investments in telecommunications, life sciences, financial services and infrastructure.
5. What should I prepare before meeting with private equity firms?
Put together a full information package that includes detailed financial statements for the past three to five years, growth projections, an analysis of the competition, data on customer concentration, operational metrics and a clear explanation of how capital will be used. Have a clear idea of whether you want a minority partner or are open to a control investment. Look into each company’s portfolio and investment thesis to find the best way to work with them.
6. How long does private equity deal execution typically take in Singapore?
The whole process usually takes three to six months, from the first contact to the money in the bank. This includes confidentiality agreements, presentations to management, due diligence (financial, legal and commercial), negotiating a term sheet and writing up the final documents. Founders should start the process long before they need money and keep their expectations about how long things will take realistic.
