Top VCs in Singapore: Firms, Investment Focus, and How to Connect

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Singapore has quietly become one of Asia’s hottest spots for startups and venture capital. In 2023, Singaporean startups attracted over $11 billion USD in VC funding, making it one of the region’s leading innovation hubs. With its strong government support, open economy, and diverse talent pool, Singapore is a launchpad for founders across Southeast Asia. But with all this activity, figuring out which VC firms are most active, what sectors they focus on, and how to actually reach them can get confusing.

Whether you’re a first-time founder or a seasoned entrepreneur new to Singapore, this guide will help you understand the local venture capital scene, introduce you to the top VC firms, and give you practical tips on how to connect with them. If you’re wondering how to get your idea off the ground or take your startup to the next level, you’re in the right place.

Singapore’s Venture Capital Landscape at a Glance

Why Singapore Attracts Venture Capital

Sitting at the crossroads of Asia, Singapore draws in investors looking for a stable launchpad into Southeast Asia. The country’s strong rule of law, pro-business regulations, and open capital flows offer a predictable foundation for high-growth deals. More than just legislation, Singapore pulses with international talent, homegrown founders, and access to dozens of regional markets within a short flight.

Singapore’s government invests heavily in infrastructure that supports entrepreneurship—think tax incentives, deep R&D funding, and a collaborative fintech sandbox. As a result, leading global funds and regional investors have made Singapore their home base, fostering a competitive but accessible environment for startups looking for early and growth-stage capital.

Key Startup Sectors VC Funds Target

Venture capitalists in Singapore don’t limit themselves to one industry. Fintech has become a flagship, powered by the city’s financial roots and supportive regulations. Healthtech and medtech have rapidly emerged, buoyed by top research universities and public sector partnerships. Startups building in logistics, e-commerce, sustainable energy, and enterprise SaaS also regularly attract big rounds.

As digital infrastructure matures, investors are now eyeing new fields such as agri-tech, advanced manufacturing, and Web3. Singapore’s diversity means funds back companies from seed to later stages, but a common trait remains: scalable businesses with an eye on regional or global expansion.

This wide sector focus means the city’s VC ecosystem is dynamic, with each firm carving out niche expertise or doubling down on trends shaping the region. Up next, we’ll explore which firms are leading the charge and the kind of startups they’re backing.

Leading VC Firms in Singapore and Their Focus Areas

Jungle Ventures

Jungle Ventures stands out with its focus on early to growth-stage companies across Southeast Asia. They back founders in sectors like fintech, e-commerce, and consumer internet, often acting as first believers and supporting firms as they expand regionally.

Golden Gate Ventures

Golden Gate Ventures targets seed to Series B startups, especially in digital health, financial services, consumer apps, and marketplaces. Their diverse founding team helps startups bridge networks between Asia and the West.

Vertex Ventures

Operated by Temasek, Vertex Ventures brings institutional heft to early and growth-stage investments, focusing on enterprise tech, digital health, and mobility. Their regional presence gives portfolio companies access to pan-Asia markets.

Openspace Ventures

Openspace Ventures invests in technology-driven startups, particularly those in consumer, logistics, and health tech. Their portfolio includes some of Southeast Asia’s best-known unicorns and scale-ups.

Antler

Antler takes a unique approach by supporting founders even before a product exists. They run intensive programs nurturing individuals to build startups from scratch, investing pre-seed capital and focusing on a broad range of verticals.

Wavemaker Partners

Wavemaker Partners specializes in business-to-business (B2B) startups from seed to Series A, with a keen eye on enterprise tech, supply chain, and SaaS. They’re known for their hands-on support in sales and business development.

Singtel Innov8

The corporate venture arm of Singtel, Innov8 scouts for promising innovations that align with communications, data analytics, and digital media. They’re a go-to for startups seeking both funding and strategic telco partnerships.

Monk’s Hill Ventures

Monk’s Hill Ventures makes early-stage investments in companies with regional ambitions. They champion founders solving meaningful problems in health, education, enterprise tech, and consumer internet.

EDBI

Backed by Singapore’s Economic Development Board, EDBI invests in strategic sectors like life sciences, digital economy, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing. Their partnerships support both local and global expansion.

Quest Ventures

Quest Ventures zeros in on digital commerce and urban tech, investing in seed to Series A rounds across Southeast Asia and China. Their team emphasizes real traction and market validation.

Insignia Ventures Partners

Founded by a former Sequoia Capital partner, Insignia focuses on early-stage technology companies building next-generation services for Southeast Asia. They are swift to spot scalable fintech, logistics, and SaaS businesses.

KK Fund

KK Fund looks for pre-Series A startups across sectors such as media, fintech, logistics, and online marketplaces in emerging Asia. Their lean team is known for quick, founder-friendly decisions.

BEENEXT

With founders at its core, BEENEXT actively invests in early-stage firms developing fintech, healthcare, and SaaS solutions. Their powerful founder network offers practical support and cross-border opportunities.

GIC

GIC, Singapore’s sovereign fund, plays on a different scale with major capital injections into late-stage and growth companies worldwide. Their reach provides unique bridge funding for maturing Southeast Asian unicorns.

500 Startups

The Singapore team of 500 Startups, known as 500 Global, is deeply involved in ecosystem building. They invest across verticals but shine at early-stage deals, followed by tailored accelerator programs and global community access.

Each of these venture capital firms brings a distinct flavour to the table, whether it’s sector expertise, stage preference, or founder support. Understanding their approaches helps founders map out who to approach first when seeking their next round. Next, let’s explore how these VCs typically invest in startups, from cheque size to stage focus.

How Singapore VC Firms Invest: Typical Funding Stages & Ticket Sizes

Pre-seed to Growth: VC Entry Points

Most Singapore-based venture capitalists start observing startups early, but actual investments often begin at the pre-seed or seed stage. Some firms—think Antler or 500 Startups—actively write cheques for founders with little more than a concept, team, or prototype. Others, like Vertex Ventures or Insignia Ventures, jump in after some traction, typically from Series A onwards. The entry stage depends on each fund’s thesis: early-stage funds bet on unproven ideas, while growth-focused VCs prefer startups with validated business models and market fit.

Singapore’s ecosystem is collaborative. Early-stage VCs sometimes join rounds as co-investors, sharing risk and networks; later, they may introduce portfolio companies to more mature funds, creating a pipeline from pre-seed to Series C and beyond.

Typical Investment Amounts

Ticket sizes vary widely depending on each VC’s thesis, the company’s maturity, and sector. For pre-seed or seed rounds, most Singaporean VCs invest anywhere from S$100,000 to S$1 million. As companies move toward Series A, cheque sizes often jump to S$2–5 million. Growth rounds—Series B and up—can see Singapore firms invest from S$10 million to S$50 million or more, particularly when local heavyweights like Vertex, EDBI, or GIC step in.

While some niche funds focus only on micro-investments or founder-friendly terms, the region’s mature VC scene also welcomes international co-investments, supporting bigger rounds for standout startups.

Now that you know where VCs invest and how much they commit, it’s time to sharpen your approach—getting your story, traction, and pitch ready for that first handshake.

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Tips for Approaching Singaporean VCs

How to Tailor Your Pitch

Show Singaporean VCs that you’ve done your homework. Instead of sending a one-size-fits-all pitch, research the firm’s previous investments, sectors of interest, and stage focus. Be specific about why your company matches their portfolio. Point out recent investments they’ve made and highlight how your venture fits alongside or complements these startups.

Keen attention to detail counts in Singapore’s VC community. A clear, metrics-driven snapshot of your traction goes further than grandiose claims. Share customer numbers, growth rates, or unique proof points—Singaporean investors are fond of evidence over hype.

What Investors Look For

Singaporean VCs value founders who blend ambition with practicality. They lean in when you show deep understanding of your market and a plan to access the region. Highlight how you’re leveraging Singapore’s position as a gateway to Southeast Asia or Asia-Pacific.

They also care about your team’s execution ability. Be candid about your backgrounds, complementary skills, and milestones hit. Strong teams—especially with local knowledge or serial founder experience—stand out from the crowd.

Above all, they appreciate open communication. Be ready to share what you know, flag what you’re still figuring out, and explain how you handle feedback or pivots. This builds trust and helps lay the foundation for a strong investor-founder relationship.

Getting in front of VCs doesn’t just happen over email. Singapore’s ecosystem is highly connected offline as well. Next, explore the places and events where you’ll actually meet these investors, build real relationships, and get your foot in the door.

Networking and Events for Founders in Singapore

Key Startup Networking Spots

Forget meeting in stuffy boardrooms. Singapore’s startup scene thrives in energetic spaces like BLOCK71 in Ayer Rajah, a vibrant hub where founders, investors, and mentors mingle over coffee and spontaneous conversations. The Found8 coworking space also buzzes with meetups, while The Working Capitol along Keong Saik Road regularly brings together entrepreneurs with a knack for collaboration. If you’re craving something low-key, check out industry happy hours or founder breakfasts hosted by SGInnovate—often more valuable than formal panels.

Pitch Events & Demo Days to Know

If you want to show what you’re building, you’ll find plenty of opportunities on Singapore’s calendar. Startup SG Demo Day draws leading angels and VCs looking for the next bold idea. Entrepreneur First Singapore organizes intense demo days where early-stage founders face investors head-on. SLINGSHOT, the grand competition at the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH), puts startups on a global stage—expect media, money, and mega exposure.

Keep an eye out for Golden Gate Ventures’ Founders Lounge and Antler’s Demo Day. Both events don’t just put you in front of investors—they put you in the same room as other hustlers who might become your future cofounder or mentor.

Immersing yourself in these events not only expands your network, but also opens doors to meaningful VC connections. Understanding where investors make decisions and initiate relationships sets the stage for the next step: figuring out how to approach them and stand out.

Frequently Asked Questions about VCs in Singapore

How do I reach out to a Singapore VC?

Start by identifying which VC firms fit your sector and stage. Most Singaporean VCs prefer warm introductions through mutual connections, startup alumni, or accelerator programs they trust. If you can’t get a direct intro, carefully crafted cold emails with a concise pitch deck and a crisp explanation of why you’re a fit for their portfolio can also work. LinkedIn, official VC websites, and startup events in the city are often useful in getting your foot in the door. For more on this, check out our guide on warm intros startup funding and fundraising tips.

What are the main industries funded by VCs in Singapore?

Investors in Singapore back a range of sectors with a particular appetite for fintech, deep tech, SaaS, sustainability, healthcare, logistics, and consumer tech. Fintech and sustainability, in particular, are booming, thanks to the region’s reputation as a financial hub and green commitment, while healthtech and logistics see growing demand by serving Southeast Asia’s diverse economies.

Are there government-backed VC initiatives?

Yes. Singapore’s government is highly proactive in cultivating the early-stage ecosystem. Agencies like Enterprise Singapore co-invest with VCs via initiatives such as SEEDS Capital and SGInnovate, which focus on startups in deep tech, medtech, and other strategic sectors. These programs help share risk and provide valuable networks and resources to young ventures.

With these fundamentals covered, it’s time to get tactical—next, you’ll find practical strategies and tips for making your approach to potential investors truly stand out.