Patamar Capital-backed Beacon launches $50m fund for female founders

Beacon, a women-focused investment firm backed by Singapore-based Patamar Capital, announced that it has launched Beacon Fund, an investment vehicle with an initial target of US$50 million, to invest in female entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia.

Photo credit: Beacon Fund

Having already raised around 25% of its goal amount, the fund’s initial focus will be on debt products, which Beacon said tend to be a better fit for the moderate-growth and cash flow-positive businesses that the fund targets.

The investment vehicle’s check sizes would range from US$500,000 to US$2 million, though it said this could be smaller if it spots businesses that contribute to Covid-19 recovery measures, according to a statement.

Beacon Fund will invest in companies that match its target profile, including startups in sectors like education, agribusiness, and healthcare, among others. The fund is expected to make its first investment before the end of the year.

“There is a vast underserved segment of businesses whose growth profile does not match with the expectations of [venture capital and private equity firms] but are creating considerable value for their customers and stakeholders,” said Beacon co-founder and CEO Shuyin Tang. “In fact, these SMEs are the backbone of the economy in Southeast Asia. […] We saw this was a common growth trajectory for female entrepreneurs in particular.”