New funds in 2016 you need to know about

One of the most important bits of homework an entrepreneur can do while fundraising is reading up on VCs, so that they can approach only the people most relevant to their business. With that in mind, here’s a list of the highlights among Asia’s new funds in 2016.

Southeast Asia

With all the barriers to business in this fragmented region, startup valuations are low. Now is still a prime time for startups to enter without being too late, creating an environment that’s desirable to investors from around the world.

500 Durians

500 Startups’ Southeast Asia war chest has been open since 2014 – and this year it got larger with an extra US$50 million, its second fund, for the US’ VCs usual focus on startups making consumer apps.

500 Durians II will sign checks worth US$50,000 to $150,000 for about 200 seed-stage companies in the region. Plus, it might invest an additional US$500,000 in those showing exceptional progress, says ebullient boss, Khailee Ng.

SeedPlus

The shiny, new US$20 million fund will hunt for promising startups among startup accelerators in the region. Four investment firms – Jungle Ventures, Infocomm Investments, Accel Partners, and RNT Associates – have come together to launch this in Singapore.

Fenox

Another established name, Fenox topped up with US$20 million this month.

The newest fund, courtesy of cash from Taiwanese contract manufacturer Wistron, is aiming at robotics, artificial intelligence, big data, so-called Internet-of-Things (IoT), healthtech, and fintech among Asian and American startups.

Cocoon Capital

This is a new name from two renowned angel investors, William Klippgen and Michael Blakey.

With US$7 million in the bank in Singapore, it’ll fund US$250,000 to $700,000 a pop in Southeast Asia and India with a preference for software-as-a-service, ecommerce, and fintech startups.

India and South Asia

China

Japan and East Asia