500 Startups is betting on centaurs and ponies in Southeast Asia

500 Startups is becoming increasingly active as a VC firm globally, and particularly in emerging markets like Southeast Asia.

Its total number of startup investments is growing at a dizzying pace. Crunchbase currently clocks 500 Startups’ total number of investments worldwide at 816, while Khailee Ng, one of 500 Startups managing partners, speaks of 1,000 investments in Tech in Asia’s most recent podcast episode.

500 Startups follows an unusual investment strategy. Rather than placing all its bets on the one exceptional company that might have the potential to turn into a unicorn, 500 Startups is also interested in centaurs and ponies. Centaurs are companies valued at US$100 million or more, while ponies are those valued less than US$100 million.

Here’s an overview of 500 Startups’ investments in Southeast Asia – or at least some of them, as the number is likely rising as you read this.

With GrabTaxi, 500 Startups has one unicorn in its regional portfolio. Which potential unicorns, centaurs and ponies do you see?