AC Ventures’ Post

#FundingWithYS 💰 Indonesia-based fintech firm wagely—focused on financial wellness—secured $23 million in a mix of equity and debt funding. Generative AI-focused venture capital fund Capria Ventures led the equity round with participation from existing investors. An unnamed private debt fund also contributed to the funding to expand wagely’s earned wage access (EWA) service in Indonesia and Bangladesh. Financial wellness app wagely, co-founded by Tobias Fischer, Sasanadi Ruka, and Kevin Hausburg in 2020, also allows users to track their salary and access financial literacy resources to empower them to mitigate financial stress and achieve financial freedom. Read more at the link in our comments section 👇 by Ishan P. | #Funding #Startups

“In venture capital, we always look for huge markets. In the US, it was really for building for the world, in China, the market was big enough. Then if you look at Southeast Asia, the biggest market is Indonesia. I felt like Indonesia is definitely a place that you have to invest in if you want to be serious about the region. Some people from the West might look at Southeast Asia as just a region, but we are a collection of countries that are very diverse and very fragmented. So I felt like Indonesia was definitely one that you to look at deeply. They had very similar trends to China wherein they have a huge population, rising middle class, and urbanization.” - Helen Pei-Hua Wong, Managing Partner of AC Ventures Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://lnkd.in/gnW7fnb3 Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://lnkd.in/gN_AMu_a 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://lnkd.in/gW8BD6J2 #VentureCapital #VC #SoutheastAsia #Indonesia #InvestmentBanking #AsianFinancialCrisis #TechStartups #BRAVEPodcast

Invited as an Investor Participant at Business Matching & Exploration event organized by Indonesia Finance Ministry ( Kementerian Keuangan Republik Indonesia ) and Fintech Associations (Asosiasi Layanan Urun Dana Indonesia and (AFPI) Asosiasi FinTech Pendanaan Bersama Indonesia ) last Tuesday. Had a fruitful discussion with 3 SME entrepreneurs and here’s my take on it: They thought the most important thing in their business is the access to capital. But, i found out that Capital should not be the main concern yet. Rather, it was more to understanding of business principles, prudent finance management, and the character building itself. These entrepreneurs need plenty of guidance and nurturing from Government and Stakeholders before seeking funds from professional investors. Let's work together to help Indonesia SMEs thrive! #SMEs #finance #businessmetrics #Fintech #indonesiamaju #ICX #startups #capitalmarket #securitiescrowdfunding #startupadvisor #businessadvisor

“In venture capital, we always look for huge markets. In the US, it was really for building for the world, in China, the market was big enough. Then if you look at Southeast Asia, the biggest market is Indonesia. I felt like Indonesia is definitely a place that you have to invest in if you want to be serious about the region. Some people from the West might look at Southeast Asia as just a region, but we are a collection of countries that are very diverse and very fragmented. So I felt like Indonesia was definitely one that you to look at deeply. They had very similar trends to China wherein they have a huge population, rising middle class, and urbanization.” - Helen Pei-Hua Wong, Managing Partner of AC Ventures Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://lnkd.in/gB7NsQFk Nonton, dengar atau baca wawasan lengkapnya di https://lnkd.in/gHnBbaeN 观看、收听或阅读全文，请访问 https://lnkd.in/gJvNYPKu #VentureCapital #VC #SoutheastAsia #Indonesia #InvestmentBanking #AsianFinancialCrisis #TechStartups #BRAVEPodcast

Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund, Khazanah Nasional, is reportedly planning to lead a $400m funding round into SoftBank-backed Oyo Hotels & Homes, sparking confusion due to government instruction to support domestic fiirms. 🤔 Questions have been raised over the move following Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's directive for GLICs like Khazanah to prioritise investment in local tech startups. 💰 The venture comes as both Khazanah and the Employee Provident Fund look overseas for better returns, due to limited high-quality opportunities in Malaysia's startup scene. 🎲 While Khazanah's international ventures have seen past successes like its $1.2bn return from a $250m investment in Alibaba, there are concerns over possible risks following a failed $20m venture into Indian lingerie maker, Zivame. - Want to keep up with the ins and outs of the #tech ecosystem in Asia? Sign up for free at techin.asia/newsletters

🚀The Malaysia Venture Capital Roadmap (MVCR) was launched🚀 I recently attended the launch of the MVCR and was humbled to hear insights from Chang Lih Kang, Minister of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), CEO & COO of MAVCAP (Malaysia Venture Capital Management Berhad), Shahril Anas Hasan Aziz and Noor Amy Ismail, alongside established and emerging VCs, and startup ecosystem partners. As a non-VC background individual, among the 11 interventions highlighted, several key initiatives caught my attention: 🌟The concept of a centralized platform for VCs, streamlining management, monitoring, and information provision. Perhaps my expertise in #digitalstrategy and marketing can be leveraged to enhance the user experience and outreach of the centralized platform for VCs. 🌟The push to increase participation from GLICs, GLCs, and corporates in venture investments, fostering collaboration and growth. My experience in #SustainableFinance can help drive capital allocation towards ventures that generate positive #ESG impact alongside financial returns. 🌟The emphasis on nurturing new #talents through seeding new fund managers, VC-focused educational programs, and industry immersion opportunities. As an MBA student, I can participate in training programs and action learning projects, gaining hands-on experience and mentorship from industry professionals. Also, fostering a diverse talent pool within the VC ecosystem. View the roadmap here: https://lnkd.in/gSC7RMYg A big thank you to Amy for the invitation and the chance to learn from industry giants. The launch, combined with Ramadan and Iftar festivities, infused traditional Malay dance with modern twists, adding to the vibrant atmosphere 🤩 Really excited about the future of the VC ecosystem in Malaysia and eager to explore how I can contribute and benefit from these initiatives! #VentureCapital #ImpactInvesting #GreenFinancing #Investment #Ecosystem #AsiaSchoolofBusiness #ASB #ASBMBA #MBA #MBALife

Revitalising The Malaysian Venture Capital Ecosystem & Capital Markets What other ways can we "raise the floor"? Another aspect of the Ekonomi MADANI framework is reinvigorating the capital markets and startup ecosystem in Malaysia, allowing not just better access for retail investors, but for increased funding to startups and SMEs that form the backbone of the country's economy. In this final part of our series, Deputy Finance Minister II, Steven Sim shares the roadmaps and future initiatives that will drive Malaysia's long-term economic prosperity. #RinggitPlus