12 international VC firms that have invested in South Asian startups

As smartphone usage booms across Asia and web services become more commonplace, private equity firms and venture capitalists are exploring the lucrative potential of the region. There are a number of global VC firms, especially in Silicon Valley that are keeping an eye on startups on the other side of the planet. Below we’ve identified some big-name VCs who have backed South Asian startups.

1. Morgenthaler Ventures

Morgenthaler Ventures has invested in over 300 companies around the world, including Apple. Since 2008, it has focused a lot more on venture capital investments and thus invested over US$400 million in various business ventures relating to IT and life sciences.

The company showed its confidence in Pakistan-born enterprise chat app Convo and invested US$5 million in it.

2. Sequoia Capital

Sequoia Capital is one of the world’s foremost venture capital firms, started in California in 1972 by Don Valentine, and is currently funding growth-stage companies around the world.

It is well known for having invested in some of the global IT giants of today including Google, Apple, Yahoo, and Amazon. The earliest investment by Sequoia in India was back in 2006 when it put US$20 million in Café Coffee Day over two years. Currently, Sequoia Capital India has as much as US$1.4 billion invested in a number of companies in the nation.

Sequoia has a special preference for technology companies that have India-US cross-border connections. The firm invests in consumer services, healthcare, energy, financial services, and a range of other sectors. Recently, Sequoia announced that it had raised US$530 million in its fourth India focused round of funding which will take its total investment in the country to US$2 billion.

3. ePlanet Capital

ePlanet Capital is a Silicon Valley-based global venture investment firm, with offices around the world. The firm has made more than 100 investments in 14 years and focuses on the sectors of internet services and applications, entertainment, and life sciences.

The firm invested in Pakistan’s Naseeb Networks, maker of a social networking site called Naseeb, and Rozee.pk, an online recruitment website. This Rozee funding is often thought of as the first international investment in a Pakistani web startup.

4. Global Founders Capital

Rocket Internet’s founders teamed up to start Global Founders Capital, which aims to invest seed funds as well as late-stage funding. This venture capital firm started with almost US$180 million and has already invested in a couple of internet businesses. Rocket Internet has focused on investing in lucrative internet businesses in South Asia, the Middle East, South America, and Africa. Its portfolio spans over 50 companies in almost 40 markets.