A toast to Southeast Asia’s tech boom

By Karthi Sepulohniam, MD. Asia Pacific and Australia at Partners for Growth 

PFG and IFC (International Finance Corporation, Member of the World Bank Group), joined forces to host a networking event for tech investors and entrepreneurs in Singapore. The event was part of PFG’s and IFC’s ongoing efforts to support the development of a thriving tech ecosystem in Southeast Asia. 

The networking evening attracted nearly 50 participants from various segments of the tech ecosystem in Singapore who engaged in lively discussions about the opportunities and challenges of scaling and innovating in Southeast Asia’s dynamic tech market.  Representing PFG at the event were Jason Georgatos, President, and Karthi Sepulohniam, Head of Asia Pacific and Australia. We were pleased to be joined by several leading venture capital funds, including Square Peg Capital, TNB Aura, Provident Growth, AC Ventures, and UOB Venture Management. 

PFG and IFC have been collaborating since 2022 to provide growth debt capital to tech businesses in Southeast Asia (and globally), with a focus on sectors such as financial inclusion, healthtech, edtech, and SaaS. 

Karthi Sepulohniam and Jason Georgatos from PFG, the hosts of the event.

PFG has been investing in Asia for more than 10 years and has funded nine businesses in the region, including Southeast Asia businesses Kredivo, a Singapore and Jakarta-based fintech company that offers instant credit financing for online purchases; Near.Co, a Singapore-based data intelligence platform that leverages AI to provide insights on consumer behavior; 90 Seconds, a Singapore-based cloud video production platform that connects brands with creators; Limitless, a Malaysia-based flower and gifting e-commerce business; and TotallyAwesome, a Singapore-based digital media company that creates kid-safe content and advertising. These companies have leveraged PFG’s custom debt financing to expand their operations, enhance their products and services, and reach new markets. 

We look forward to working with entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia, and providing high-growth businesses in the region with flexible growth capital together with IFC.  By offering these technology businesses tailored financing solutions, we believe we can help them achieve their full potential and create positive impacts for their customers, employees, and communities. 

 

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30+ Year Global Strategic Partner

SVB is a leading American bank providing products, services and strategic advice for businesses at every stage. They operate as a go-to commercial bank for start-ups and established corporations, offering venture funding, private banking & wealth advising. SVB is the largest lender to technology companies globally.

SVB has built its reputation as the financial partner of the innovation economy – helping individuals, investors and the world’s most innovative companies achieve extraordinary outcomes.
PFG and SVB have maintained an official strategic partnership since the late 1980’s. We have collaborated together as co-lenders and extended each other's ability to reach new markets and provide deeper capital to high-growth companies.

PFG and SVB have provided growth debt across the U.S. & Canada, Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Latin America, where we co-manage a Venture Debt Latin America Growth Lending Fund.

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IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. IFC works in more than 100 countries, using its capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity.

PFG and IFC are strategic partners where we extend IFC’s direct venture and VC funding, collaborating on fintech and tech lending across global growth markets.

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Aims to be the partner of choice for the private sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. They finance projects to advance clean energy, modernize agriculture, strengthen transportation systems and expand access to financing.

IDB Invest, a member of the IDB Group, is a multilateral development bank committed to promoting the economic development of its member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean through the private sector. IDB Invest finances sustainable companies and projects to achieve financial results and maximize economic, social, and environmental development in the region. With a portfolio of $16.3 billion in asset management and 347 clients in 25 countries, IDB Invest provides innovative financial solutions and advisory services that meet the needs of its clients in a variety of industries.

PFG leads a joint venture with IDB Invest that provides debt capital to emerging innovative tech companies across the region via our Latin America Growth Lending Fund. The initiative brings investment expertise into LAC from top notch global players in this field.