Execs from Grab Financial, PayPal, other fintechs form new angel network in SEA

A new network of angel investors has launched in Southeast Asia, boasting members who hold senior positions at major fintech firms including Grab Financial, PayPal, Stripe, Revolut, and Remitly.

Fintech Angel Operators co-founder Chia Jeng Yang / Photo credit: Fintech Angel Operators

Fintech Angel Operators is a network of entrepreneurs and key industry players bringing their on-the-ground expertise to early-stage startups in the region. It’s an ecosystem-led initiative, which implies that there are no fees – brokerage, membership, or otherwise – for those plugged into the network.

The new group is founded by Saison Capital principal Chia Jeng Yang and Keng Low, co-founder of Finantier.

Fintech Angel Operators will operate with a cohort-based syndicate structure and will include up to 100 founders, executives, and operators in its first batch. Each angel investor brings their specific skill set to the table, including hiring, fundraising, or building a technical stack, according to a statement.

“The venture capital ecosystem in Southeast Asia has developed at a rapid pace over the last few years,” said Stripe’s startup ecosystem lead Sagar Gupta. “Yet it’s rare to have a collection of angels that focus on operational value-add within a particular industry vertical.”

Members of Fintech Angel Operators will look to invest angel-sized cheques in startups, with capital to be deployed collectively by investors interested in the deal via a standard angel investment structure, which may involve a special purpose vehicle entity.

The network is currently evaluating a number of deals and intends to close its first group of investments by the third quarter of 2021.