Singapore is now the top venture capital hub in Southeast Asia and it is the main place where money flows into the region’s most promising startups. The city-state has a fantastic location, world class infrastructure and business friendly rules. It draws in both big global investors and local funds that have helped some of Asia’s most successful tech companies.
The venture capital scene in Singapore is diverse and constantly evolving. It includes everything from government-backed investment vehicles and sovereign wealth funds to specialists in early-stage companies and global multi-asset investors. This list shows five of the best venture capital firms in Singapore that have a big impact on the startup ecosystem there. They were chosen based on their market reputation, investment history, fund size and influence on the startup ecosystem in the region.
How we selected the top venture capital firms
We assembled this list by considering factors that hold significant importance in Singapore’s venture capital industry. Companies were judged on their size, funds managed, portfolio company quality, exit quality, stage focus, investment thesis and reputation in the local market and startup community. This compilation is not an official ranking; it’s a carefully chosen list to help entrepreneurs and other interested parties learn about the most important people in Singapore’s venture capital scene.
List of top 5 venture capital firms in Singapore
- Temasek Holdings
- Jungle Ventures
- East Ventures
- Insignia Ventures Partners
- Vertex Ventures
Closer look at each venture capital firm
1. Temasek Holdings
Temasek is an investment company with its main office in Singapore. It has over 960 employees from around the world and a portfolio worth S$434 billion. Temasek is often called a sovereign wealth fund, but it is actually an active investor who focuses on growth companies that are based on new ideas and technology. It does venture capital work at all stages, but it is especially effective at making investments in growth-stage and late-stage companies.
Key investment areas
- Biotechnology and healthcare: The portfolio includes Glympse Bio, a diagnostics company that is working on technology for monitoring diseases without surgery.
- Sustainable food technology: an investor in Impossible Foods, the company that makes plant-based meat
- Impact investing: LeapFrog Investments is a purpose-driven investment firm that I am a strategic investor in.
- Deep tech and innovation: Works in biotechnology, healthcare and software, with a global presence that includes the US, China and India.
Notable strengths or differentiators
- Unmatched size: Temasek has a portfolio worth S$434 billion, which gives companies access to patient, long-term capital that can help them grow through many stages.
- Global network: Portfolio companies can grow internationally with strategic support because they have a strong presence in major markets.
- Deep sector expertise: Investment professionals who know a lot about healthcare, technology, financial services and sustainability
- Government connections: Because Temasek is an investment company linked to the government, it has unique insights into Singapore’s economic priorities and rules.
Ideal investment stage
Temasek is ideal for investing in growth-stage to late-stage companies that have proven business models and significant scaling potential. This stage is particularly suitable for startups seeking strategic investors with long-term horizons, rather than traditional VC exit timelines.
Contact information
Official website: www.temasek.com.sg
2. Jungle Ventures
Based in Singapore, Jungle Ventures is one of the biggest independent venture capital firms in Southeast Asia. It invests in early-stage and growth-stage startups in Southeast Asia and India. The company focuses on creating businesses that define their categories and last for a long time. Its portfolio includes e-commerce, software and financial services. Jungle Ventures has become a key investor in the region’s tech ecosystem.
Key investment areas
- CityMall, a social e-commerce business backed by Elevation Capital, is part of the portfolio for e-commerce and consumer internet.
- Deep tech and engineering: Sanlayan Technologies, a Bengaluru-based startup that makes radar and electronic warfare systems for the aerospace and defense industries, has received funding.
- Fintech and financial inclusion: making smart investments in companies that make it easier for people to get financial services
- India and Southeast Asia Focus: Deep knowledge of two of Asia’s most active startup markets
Notable strengths or differentiators
- Independent firm structure: Jungle Ventures is one of the biggest independent VCs in Southeast Asia. It offers terms that are good for founders and are in line with the interests of entrepreneurs.
- Cross-border expertise: the ability to connect the startup ecosystems of Southeast Asia and India, which helps businesses grow in the region.
- Proven track record: The portfolio includes companies that have grown to become leaders in their fields.
- Value-add approach: Provides operational support and strategic guidance beyond capital
Ideal investment stage
We offer Series A through Series B, providing flexibility for both early and later investments in exceptional companies. This program is ideal for startups that have a strong product-market fit and are seeking capital for regional expansion.
Contact information
Official website: www.jungle.vc
3. East Ventures
East Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that focuses on Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Japan. Some of its successful investments are Tokopedia, Traveloka and Mercari. The company is now one of the area’s most active investors, especially in helping startups grow. East Ventures has a lot of experience in both Japanese capital markets and running businesses in Southeast Asia.
Key investment areas
- Software and information technology: a wide range of products, including SaaS, enterprise software and consumer apps.
- E-commerce enablers: Putting money into Bababos, a platform that helps small and medium-sized manufacturers get raw materials and digitize their supply chains
- Fintech’s portfolio includes Bibit.id, a platform for investing in mutual funds and government bonds.
- PropTech and construction tech: Putting money into Prefab, an AI SaaS platform for the building industry
Notable strengths or differentiators
- Early-stage leadership: One of the most active seed and Series A investors in Southeast Asia, with many deals and relationships with founders.
- Japan-Southeast Asia bridge: A unique link between Japanese businesses and the new ideas coming out of Southeast Asia.
- Proven track record with unicorns: helped several companies, like Tokopedia and Traveloka, reach billion-dollar valuations.
- Sector-agnostic approach: East Ventures invests in a wide range of industries based on the quality of the founders and the market opportunity, even though they are mostly focused on technology.
Ideal investment stage
Seed to Series A, with participation in later rounds for high-performing portfolio companies. This investment stage is particularly suitable for early-stage startups seeking a hands-on partner with extensive regional networks.
Contact information
Official website: east.vc
4. Insignia Ventures Partners
Yinglan Tan, a former partner at Sequoia Asia, runs Insignia Ventures Partners, a venture capital firm that focuses on investing in startups. Since it started, Insignia has become one of the best early-stage investors in Southeast Asia, supporting some of the region’s most cutting-edge tech companies. The company has both Silicon Valley-level investment discipline and a lot of local knowledge.
Key investment areas
- Fintech and financial services: the main focus is on new ways to use technology to improve financial services.
- Artificial intelligence: The portfolio includes FileAI, which makes its own AI parts for automating complex agentic workflows.
- Agtech and sustainability: Investing in Elevarm, a system that supports data and AI-powered technologies for farming
- Consumer and QSR: Portfolio includes Se’Indonesia, a fast-growing Indonesian quick-service restaurant chain
Notable strengths or differentiators
- Sequoia heritage: Yinglan Tan, one of the founding partners, brings investment discipline and a network from one of the most successful VC firms in the world.
- Early-stage specialization: a lot of experience finding and helping companies grow from seed to growth stage
- Focus on Southeast Asia: By focusing on Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam, you can get better market insights.
- Founder-centric approach: Reputation for supporting entrepreneurs through market cycles with patient, value-add capital
Ideal investment stage
The investment stage ranges from seed to Series B, with a particular emphasis on Series A. This stage is ideal for technology startups with ambitious founders who are targeting either regional or global markets.
Contact information
Official website: www.insignia.vc
5. Vertex Ventures
Vertex Ventures is a global venture capital firm with a strong presence in Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries. Vertex Holdings is a Singapore-based venture capital ecosystem that helps early-stage tech companies get funding and run their businesses. The firm is a part of this ecosystem. Vertex Ventures US invests in early-stage B2B software companies that are working to make the digital economy smarter.
Key investment areas
- Software and information technology: The main focus is on B2B software in several different fields.
- Enterprise SaaS: Putting money into companies that make tools to help businesses be more productive and efficient
- Infrastructure for e-commerce: Support for platforms that make online shopping possible
- Cross-border technology: Singapore is the regional hub for a portfolio that includes the United States, China and Israel.
Notable strengths or differentiators
- Global network: A part of the Vertex Holdings ecosystem with money in important tech hubs all over the world
- Corporate connections: Having many business relationships gives you access to strategic partnerships and possible buyers.
- B2B specialization: a lot of knowledge about business models and go-to-market strategies for enterprise software
- Follow-on ability: Ability to help portfolio companies get funding at different stages, from seed to growth
Ideal investment stage
We focus on B2B software companies that demonstrate strong product-market fit and a clear path to scale, from Series A through Series C.
Contact information
Official website: www.vertexventures.com
How to choose the right venture capital partner in Singapore
First, get on stage and check the size. Different companies are successful at different stages of investing. For example, East Ventures and Insignia are good at seed and Series A, while Jungle Ventures is excellent at Series A and B growth. Temasek usually invests later on and with bigger checks. Make sure that the company’s usual investment fits with your current funding needs.
Second, check how much the person knows about the field. Look at each firm’s portfolio to see how well they know your field. Vertex Ventures is an expert in B2B software and Insignia is excellent at fintech and AI. 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. Jungle Ventures connects India and Southeast Asia, while East Ventures connects Japan and Southeast Asia. Temasek connects major economies all over the world.
Fourth, look at value-adds other than money. Check out each firm’s history of helping portfolio companies with follow-on funding, strategic introductions and operational advice. Insignia’s Sequoia background and East Ventures’ large network of founders give them real advantages.
Fifth, look at how well the person fits in with your culture and their references from other founders. Talk to the founders of each company in the portfolio to learn more about their backgrounds. A successful VC relationship should feel like a real partnership, with both sides having the same goals and respecting each other.
Singapore’s venture capital scene has top-notch options for startups at all stages of growth. Temasek Holdings gives growth-stage companies that want to sell their products around the world the best scale and patient capital. Jungle Ventures gives independent, founder-friendly money and has a lot of experience in Southeast Asia and India. With numerous contacts in Southeast Asia and Japan, East Ventures is the front-runner in the early phases. Insignia Ventures Partners has the same level of investment discipline as Sequoia, but they focus on specific areas. Vertex Ventures has a lot of experience with global B2B software and can help with follow-up work.
The right partner for your startup will depend on its stage, industry, geographic goals and funding needs. We suggest working with more than one company, getting references from founders and picking a partner whose skills, network and values match your long-term goals.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the difference between venture capital and private equity?
Venture capital (VC) is a type of investment that focuses on putting money into new, fast-growing companies with big potential but business models that haven’t been tested yet. VC firms usually invest small amounts of money and give strategic advice along with it. Private equity (PE) usually puts money into older companies that already have steady cash flows. They often take controlling stakes and use leverage to boost returns.
2. How much funding can Singapore-based startups raise from VCs?
The amount of funding varies a lot depending on the stage and sector. The average amount of money raised in seed rounds in Singapore is between S$500,000 and S$2 million. The average amount for a Series A round is S$3–8 million. Series B and later can be worth between S$10 million and S$50 million or more. Firms like Temasek can invest hundreds of millions in great companies at later stages.
3. What do VCs look for in Singaporean startups?
A strong founding team, a large addressable market, a clear product-market fit, a defensible technology or business model and a realistic path to growth are all important factors. VCs also look at traction metrics, unit economics and how well a company is doing compared to its competitors. Given the fragmentation of Southeast Asia’s markets, the potential for regional growth holds significant importance.
4. Are Singapore VCs only interested in tech startups?
Most of the companies that venture capitalists invest in are in the tech industry, but some also invest in other areas, such as healthcare (Temasek’s investment in Glympse Bio), agtech (Insignia’s investment in Elevarm) and food technology (Temasek’s investment in Impossible Foods). Venture capitalists typically invest in business models that leverage technology and demonstrate rapid growth.
5. What should I prepare before meeting with VCs?
Make a strong pitch deck that talks about the problem, the solution, the size of the market, the business model, the traction, the team and the amount of money you need. Have clear financial projections, data to back up your numbers and a clear plan for how the investment will help the business grow faster. Look into each company’s portfolio and investment thesis to find the best way to work with them.
6. How long does VC funding typically take to secure in Singapore?
The whole process usually takes three to six months, from the first contact to the money in the bank. This includes first meetings, doing research, negotiating the term sheet and writing up the legal papers. Founders should start raising money long before they need it and keep the process going.
