Cooley LLP has established an enviable reputation for advising leading venture capital and private equity firms investing in start-ups throughout Singapore and the wider region, highly active across all stages of financing. The practice is particularly noted for its considerable strength in the technology and life sciences sectors, having been involved in significant transactions spanning fintech, digital wealth, and investment platforms and payment solutions. Ferish Patel and Patrick Loofbourrow jointly lead the practice, offering a wealth of experience acting for elite founders, new economy companies and investment funds on matters across Asia, Europe, Latin America and the US. Andrew Harline acts for a broad range of clients from start-ups to well established companies; Matthew Bartus, splitting his time between San Francisco and Singapore, is also adept across the financing life-cycle from pre-seed to late-stage.
Start-up and venture capital – Foreign firms in Singapore
Cooley LLP
Praxisleiter:
Ferish Patel; Patrick Loofbourrow
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Andrew Harline; Matthew Bartus
Referenzen
‘Deep knowledge of venture transactions and life science deals.’
Kernmandanten
AG Active Fund I, L.P.
Alerzo Pte. Ltd.
Brookfield Growth
Devtron, Inc.
Dropee, Inc.
eFishery
FinAccel/Kredivo
Eurazeo Investment Manager
Google International LLC
Harbor Systems, Inc.
Holmusk
Kini (Already Technologies)
Lightspeed India Partners III, LLC
Mahaana Wealth
Marathon Education
Nayapay
Next Gen Foods
SariSuki Pte. Ltd.
Southeast Asia Exponential Ventures (SeaX Ventures)
Zepto/ Kiranakart Technologies Pvt. Ltd
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Zepto, a 10-minute grocery delivery start-up, on its US$200 million Series D financing round, propelling its valuation to US$900 million.
- Advised NayaPay, a Pakistan-based fintech platform, on its US$13 million seed Funding round, which is one of the largest seed rounds in South Asia.
- Advised FinAccel, the parent company of Indonesia-based buy now, pay later service Kredivo, on securing almost US$140 million as part of its series D funding round.
Dentons Rodyk
A pre-eminent firm in the Singapore start-up and venture capital market, Dentons Rodyk is vastly experienced when assisting tech and fintech start-ups across the spectrum of financing transactions, from seed-stage to advanced stages including series E and F, trade sales, MBOs, IPOs and SPACs. One of those leading the practice is corporate specialist S Sivanesan, who acts for a broad range of clients including founders, start-ups, fund managers and venture capital funds. Co-head Sunil Rai is well regarded for outbound and inbound India-related transactions, having been involved in a number of significant deals involving high-growth emerging companies and unicorns in the region. Ray Chiang, promoted to partner in January 2023, is also a key contact for venture-backed deals with an Indian nexus, while fintech and blockchain expert Li Chuan Hsu is active at all stages of fund-raising, from start-up to pre- and post-IPO.
Praxisleiter:
S Sivanesan; Sunil Rai
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Ray Chiang; Li Chuan Hsu
Referenzen
‘The team is very professional and deliver quality work.’
Kernmandanten
OT Management LLC
NextBillion.ai
Shinhan Venture Investment
UNOAsia
University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners
Maven Capital Partners
Validus Investment Holdings Pte. Ltd.
Wavemaker Impact
35 Venture B.V.
Investible Early-Stage Fund 2, LP
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised and acted for market-leading peer-to-peer lending platform Validus Investment Holdings Pte. Ltd. in its Series C-1 funding round.
- Advised and acted for spatial data and and mapping platform, NextBillion.ai (and its founders), in its US$21million Series B funding round led by Mirae Asset Venture Investments.
- Advised Shinhan Venture Investment in conducting due diligence on Speedoc which was raising a $28 million pre-Series B equity round.
Gunderson Dettmer LLP
Serving as a hub for the firm’s wider India and Southeast Asia practice’s, Gunderson Dettmer LLP’s start-up and venture capital offering in Singapore acts for major companies and funds of all sizes across jurisdictions such as the US, China, Europe and the Middle East. Managing and founding partner of the Singapore office Jonathan Pentzien leads the team and regularly advises global emerging growth technology companies throughout their life-cycle, as well as venture and growth equity investors. David He also brings extensive corporate expertise and has acted on a vast number of M&A, joint ventures, commercial contracts and public listing preparations for venture-backed start-ups.
Praxisleiter:
Jonathan Pentzien
Weitere Kernanwälte:
David He; Benjamin Teo; Binh Vong; Jolyn Ang
Referenzen
‘Very strong experience in venture capital.’
Kernmandanten
Aspire
Pintu
SirionLabs
Orange Health
Ayoconnect
FreshtoHome
Prosus
Lightspeed
Peak XV (fka Sequoia Capital India and Sequoia Southeast Asia)
Asia Partners
SoftBank Ventures Asia
Tiger Global
Amaana Capital Partners
Brik
Travtus
RevSure
Pickup Coffee
Alerzo
Antler
Appsmith
Highlight-Mandate
- Represented Aspire, a Singapore-based business-to-business Fintech startup, in its oversubscribed US$100 million Series C financing led by Lightspeed and Peak XV (fka Sequoia Capital Southeast Asia).
- Represented FreshToHome, a Bengaluru-based fish and meat delivery e-commerce platform, in its US$104 million Series D financing led by Amazon’s India-focused Smbhav Venture Fund.
- Represented Tiger Global in Zomato’s US$568 million acquisition of Blinkit, a hyperlocal delivery company.
Bird & Bird ATMD LLP
Focusing on industries with both a technology and regulation nexus, Bird & Bird ATMD LLP represents a swathe of major corporate venture capital companies, private equity firms, start-ups and emerging companies. Some of these high-growth sectors include aviation, life sciences and healthcare, media and telecoms, with practice head Marcus Chow being a trusted adviser to major clients within these areas both throughout Singapore and the wider Southeast Asia market. Sandra Seah is also active within the market and brings particular expertise in the energy sector, while counsel Jolie Giouw also comes highly recommended.
Praxisleiter:
Marcus Chow
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Jolie Giouw; Jeremy Tan; Sandra Seah
Kernmandanten
KludeIn I Acquisition Corp
Blockchain.com Group Holdings, Inc
United Overseas Bank Limited
EV Growth
Hyphen Group (Formerly known as CompareAsiaGroup)
ABC Impact
ACA Investments Pte Ltd
Cercano Management Asia Pte. Ltd
East Ventures
NOVI Health
MassMutual Ventures SEA Management Pte. Ltd
ST Engineering Ventures (STEV)
TreeDots Enterprise (Private Limited)
Highlight-Mandate
- Acted as Singapore, French and Australian counsel for KludeIn I Acquisition Corp, in its merger with Near Intelligence Holdings which will generate US$268 million in gross proceeds and peg Near at a Pro-forma market capitalisation of nearly US$1 billion.
- Advised Blockchain.com on its cash and stock acquisition of Altonomy Pte Ltd, a digital assets investment, market making and OTC firm founded in 2018.
- Acted for UOB, a Singapore bank, on its Pre Series B investment in ADDX, a digital securities exchanges that uses blockchain and smart contract technology to tokenise and fractionalise private market opportunities.
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
The Singapore venture capital team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP handles a steady stream of instructions from top regional clients including emerging growth companies, venture and growth funds, private capital and corporate investors. Praised as ‘responsive and solution-driven’, venture capital head Victor Chiew, promoted to partner in May 2023, specialises in start-up and emerging company fundraising.
Praxisleiter:
Victor Chiew
Referenzen
‘Victor Chiew is technically sound, and understands commercials very well.’
‘Highly engaged team. Commercial minded thus able to focus on the key issues.’
‘Victor Chiew was always available whenever issues or questions arose. Positive disposition makes him great to work with. Sound technically and sharp.’
Kernmandanten
Sequoia Capital
65 Equity Partners
Asia Partners
Vertex Growth
Northstar
Investible
Goldman Sachs
Carlyle Group
Apis Partners
Everstone Capital
Standard Chartered Bank / Standard Chartered Ventures
Khazanah Nasional Berhad
Grab
Bukalapak
Kopi Kenangan
Nium (previously InstaReM)
Binance
DANA
Vantient
Tentang Anak
Latham & Watkins LLP
With an even mix of company and investor side representation, Latham & Watkins LLP has accumulated significant experience at all stages of the start-up life-cycle, from financing needs and M&A to crypto payments, data and technology advice. Ji Liu heads the firm’s corporate offering in Asia and is a leading figure. James Clayton-Payne is also a key presence; having advised a broad range of start-ups, venture capital investors and corporate venture capital vehicles in all rounds of fundraising, beginning with seed and continuing to Series F+ and exit.
Praxisleiter:
Ji Liu
Weitere Kernanwälte:
James Clayton-Payne
Linklaters
Boasting a diverse range of clients including venture capitalists, early-stage start-ups and unicorn companies, Linklaters are well integrated in key economic sectors in Singapore and Southeast Asia spanning technology, fintech, healthcare and financial services. Heading the team is Niranjan Arasaratnam, a recognised leader in the technology arena and overseeing a practice that provides the full range of legal services to start-up clients; from the raising of equity fund rounds and trade sales to employee incentive plans and data privacy policies and compliance.
Praxisleiter:
Niranjan Arasaratnam
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Gary Beh; Robert Elliot
Referenzen
‘The team is technically skilled and able to balance the commercial and legal considerations in drafting technology licensing agreements.’
‘The firm has good background knowledge and expertise in dealing with firms with start-ups aspects.’
‘Niranjan Arasaratnam stands out in his expertise and familiarity with start-ups’ dynamics in the technology sector. He also is great at running his team and provides commercial related legal advice.’
Kernmandanten
Line Man Corporation Pte. Ltd.
Actis
DigiFT Tech (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
Qatar Investment Authority
Trust Bank
L Catterton
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised the lead investor LINE Man Corporation Pte. Ltd (LINE MAN) on its US$265m Series B fundraising in LINE MAN Wongnai.
- Advised Actis, a leading global investor in sustainable infrastructure, on the acquisition of a majority stake in Levanta Renewables (Levanta), a Southeast Asia-focused renewables platform with 300MW of onshore wind power projects in advanced development in Vietnam.
- Advised the QIA on its participation as Lead Investor in Insider SG Pte. Ltd.’s (the ultimate holding company of the Insider group (“Insider”)) latest up to US$105,000,000 fundraising.
Pinsent Masons MPillay
Pinsent Masons MPillay regularly advises start-ups and emerging companies across the entire spectrum of their developments including formation, financing and listings. Combining the firm’s strength in corporate and TMT work, the practice adopts an approach which focuses heavily on companies in the fintech and medtech sectors. The practice is jointly led by the three-strong team of Nicholas Hanna, Mark Tan and Alexander Shepherd, with the trio overseeing a practice which is continuously acting for Southeast Asian companies looking to be listed on the London Stock Exchange, as well as advising on e-payments and cryptocurrency issues.
Praxisleiter:
Nicholas Hanna; Mark Tan; Alexander Shepherd
Kernmandanten
Fintech Asia Limited
CloudSEK Research Pte. Ltd.
Eezee Pte. Ltd.
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Fintech Asia Limited on its listing on the Main Board of the London Stock Exchange.
- Advised CloudSEK Research Pte. Ltd. in relation to its US$7million pre-IPO fundraising, which was led by lead investor MassMutual Ventures.
- Advised Eezee Pte. Ltd. in relation to its US$7.5 million pre-IPO fundraising.
Dechert
Dechert is a major player in the Singapore venture capital market, offering a wealth of experience representing venture capital funds, growth companies, start-ups and entrepreneurs, as well as institutional and corporate investors at all phases of the investment life-cycle. The practice has a particular focus on the technology sector, with co-heads Siew Kam Boon and ‘exceptional negotiator‘ Timothy Goh’s expertise particularly driving the firm’s growth in this area. The pair regularly handle an abundance of transactions involving start-ups and emerging companies in Singapore and the wider Asia Pacific region, including Indonesia, Malaysia, India and the Philippines.
Referenzen
‘Siew Kam Boon is one of the best partners I have worked with in Singapore; truly a thought partner and very good at both the big picture and the minutiae of a case.’
‘Dechert provides exceptional client service, have positive word-of-mouth, embrace technology, have great marketing, and have a team with expertise that is consistent with the firm’s mission.’
‘Timothy Goh is always available, a problem solver, informative, and an exceptional negotiator. We, as their client, always feel safe if our transaction is being handled by him.’
Kernmandanten
PT Dian Swastatika Sentosa Tbk
ABC Impact
Carsome Sdn Bhd
Stockbit Pte. Ltd.
Hmlet
Reefknot Investments
Square Peg Capital
CSS Corp
Graas
Evermos
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (Singapore) LLP
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (Singapore) LLP is continually active in the Singapore market, advising emerging companies and VCs on fundraising and other corporate matters across a number of key growth sectors, specifically TMT, energy and resources, healthcare, life sciences, digital assets and sustainability. Practice leader Toby Grainger is a trusted adviser to numerous regional start-ups and high-growth emerging companies, while co-head Babita Ambekar brings specialist expertise in the technology, consumer and renewable energy sectors.
Praxisleiter:
Toby Grainger; Babita Ambekar
Referenzen
‘CMS is the best-in-class in terms of quality of service, breadth of experience and knowledge, geographical coverage, responsiveness and transparency.’
‘The team is very thorough but yet do not waste time on matters that are of little consequence. Their response times are phenomenal and can be reached at all hours if the need rises.’
‘What sets Toby Grainger apart is his ability to manoeuvre outcomes subtly and creatively. Moreover, he is always able to give commercially sensible advice and know which issues move the needle and which don’t.’
Kernmandanten
Ecommerce Enablers Pte Ltd (ShopBack)
Ocean 14 Capital Fund
Gupshup Inc.
AgFunder
Alesca Life
Ampotech
Better Urban Farms
Brightlight Energy
Carecam
Coinswitch Kuber
EnginZyme
Entellus Holdings Limited
Genashtim Innovative Learning Pte Ltd (pro bono client)
Good Startup
Ignite Thailand Holdings (t/a Roojai)
Living Remote (t/a Outpost)
Singtel
OMERS Ventures
SBI Ventures
Sygnum
T&B Media
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised ShopBack in relation to its (i) US$80 million Series F financing led by growth investor Asia Partners, with participation from existing investor January Capital; (ii) US$80 million Series F “tranche 2” round from 65EP; (iii) a US$30 million Series F investment coupled with an Australian collaboration agreement with Westpac Banking Corporation; and (iv) a follow-on US$5.5 million Series F Investment from Asia Partners and SV Invest.
- Advised Ocean 14 Capital, a PE investor focused on sustainable solutions for our oceans, on its acquisition of SyAqua Group, a shrimp aquaculture business with regional reach across Southeast Asia, as part of the client’s wider roll up strategy across the region.
- Advised Roojai, a managing general agent developing its own retail insurance products and distributing them digitally on a B2C model in Thailand and Indonesia, on (i) its US$42 million Series B financing led by HDI International AG, the International Retail Insurance division of the German Talanx Group, with participation from existing investor International Finance Corporation, (ii) the conversion of over US$34 million of shareholder loans into ordinary, Series A and Series B shares, (iii) the repayment of a US$4.5 million shareholder loan, (iv) the repurchase of shares from an existing shareholder for US$10 million, and (v) the replacement of Roojai’s employee equity incentive scheme with a phantom option scheme with assets held in trust for satisfying awards under the scheme.
Sidley Austin LLP
Representing start-ups, emerging growth companies and major investors in Singapore, Sidley Austin LLP advises on all aspects of the tech investment cycle encompassing seed rounds, venture, capital growth investments, pre-IPO investments and exits. Led by Parthiv Rishi, the team works in close coordination with the firm’s private equity, regulatory and capital markets offerings in Shanghai, Hong Kong, London and the US.
Praxisleiter:
Parthiv Rishi
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Eldon Chan
Referenzen
‘Hardworking, diligent, and open to being commercially minded.’
‘Polite, respectful, hardworking and passionate about getting a good outcome.’
‘Eldon Chan is always on-the-ball.’
Kernmandanten
65 Equity Partners
KKR (Next Generation Technology Fund)
Jungle Ventures
EE Capital
Lightspeed India Partners
Sequoia Capital
Lever Venture Capital
Hillhouse Capital
Y Combinator
Xora Innovations
Highlight-Mandate
- Represented 65 EP on its S$150 million investment in Cityneon Group, its biggest investment to date. 65 Equity Partners is an independently managed investment firm wholly owned by Temasek Holdings.
- Represented KKR’s next generational technology fund in a number of investments in the past year, including as lead investor in the A$108 million Series B financing round of Advanced Navigation, an Australian headquartered developer of AI robotics and navigation technology.
- Represented Jungle Ventures in a number of investments in the past year, including as lead investor in the Series A funding round of Edupia.
Simmons & Simmons
Praised for its ‘strong understanding of the start-up and venture capital landscape in Singapore’, Simmons & Simmons handles cross-border investments, advising on various early to late-stage financing rounds and follow-on rounds, as well as acting for venture backed companies on debt and equity financing, strategic partnerships and regulatory and commercial matters. Dax Lim, who advises investment funds on structuring, formation and global investment transactions, jointly lead the team alongside Yingyu Wang, who is commended as ‘experienced, hard-working and committed’.
Praxisleiter:
Dax Lim; Yingyu Wang
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Anita Ahamad
Referenzen
‘The team has a strong understanding of the start-up and venture capital landscape in Singapore and evolving regulatory environment relating to fintech, crypto and blockchain sector. They have a quick turnaround time without compromising on the quality of the work product.’
‘Yingyu Wang is an exceptional partner. She is experienced, hard-working and committed.’
‘Anita Ahamad is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable associate.’
Kernmandanten
Softbank Ventures Asia
Sequoia Capital
Kleiner Perkins
Lightspeed Venture Partners
Pavilion Capital
Samsung Next
Quest Ventures Pte. Ltd.
Wavemaker Pacific Partners Pte. Ltd.
Rainmaking Transport Ventures
Marshall Wace
Mandiri Investment Management
Crypto.com (crypto exchange)
Dragonfly Capital
Global Brain (ME Innovation Fund)
Cortical Labs Pte. Ltd.
Auk Industries Pte. Ltd.
Asia Genomics Pte. Ltd.
Eight Roads Ventures
Gravity Markets Limited
FastCo Pte. Ltd.
OKX
Huobi
F10 Incubation Fund
Gozem
Hashed
Torus Labs