Allen & Gledhill LLP’s size and scale has enabled it to successfully target the start-up and venture capital sector. With an initial focus on venture capital investors, including Silicon Valley-based and Southeast Asia-focused entities, the firm has also built a significant record in representing their established portfolio companies. Responding to the difficult climate, the firm has assisted a wealth of clients through challenging times, including whistleblower situations and disputes. It has also advised a number of clients on de-SPAC transactions and remains active in seed financing through to Series C fundraisings. Christian Chin is co-head of the corporate mergers and acquisitions department and head of the venture capital practice; he continues to advise on headline deals, including de-SPAC transactions. Julian Ho and Nicholas Soh also have a major focus on this sector, while Song Su-Min and Teoh Sze Min are noted for later stage transactions.

Dentons Rodyk has demonstrated a strong commitment to the start-up and growth company sector, often representing the companies themselves in seed funding, growth stage financings, pre-IPO financings, trade sales and IPOs. It also advises a range of venture investors. It has continued to advise on a number of seed financings and early-stage funding rounds for key clients. Sunil Rai leads the venture tech and emerging growth companies practice group and has an outstanding record in early to late stage funding rounds. Li Chuan Hsu (‘very responsive and goes out of his way to provide timely and quality advice’) has a background in emerging growth company work, including blockchain, notably also for Chinese clients. Ray Chiang (‘a standout in the field’) is another key partner in this area, along with S Sivanesan.

WongPartnership LLP brings its background in representing private equity funds and other financial investors to the start-up and venture capital field. It also provides its large full-service approach to the sector with multiple departments contributing to the success of the practice. The team covers the full lifecycle of start-ups and growth companies from early-stage and seed funding to growth stage financings, pre-IPO fundings and trade sales. Despite the challenging climate, it has remained active in early-stage investments, bridging loans and private credit-type financings, along with the restructuring of investments and governance issues. The department remains primarily focused on investors, including private equity funds that have moved into the venture and growth stage investment spaces. The highly-rated Kyle Lee and Sin Wei Ong lead the team and remain noted for their experience in fintech. Jolynn Lim is another key contact.

Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP continues to demonstrate its commitment to the start-up and venture capital arena in Singapore and throughout Southeast Asia, notably Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia. It has an established record in fintech, digital banking and e-commerce, along with technology and semiconductors. It is further recognised for start-up exits. The firm frequently advises prominent venture capital and growth capital funds on their investments, along with start-ups and growth companies on their fundraising exercises and other transactions. Clients praise the firm’s full-service and multidisciplinary approach with expertise ‘ranging from fund formation to M&A to litigation’.  Tracy-Anne Ang is deputy head of the M&A practice and a seasoned professional in the start-up and venture capital sphere. Terence Quek is also deputy head of the M&A group and another key practitioner in this field, as is Brian Ng (‘the go-to person for all corporate matters’), who is noted for venture financings and fundraisings.

Bird & Bird ATMD LLP has developed an impressive institutional client base, advising the likes of ABC Impact, Korea Investment Partners and ACA Investments. The Singapore team has made a further impression in impact and sustainability investing, including wind, solar and other renewable projects. It continues to represent clients in seed and early-stage funding, right through to trade sales and IPOs on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. Marcus Chow heads the corporate team in Singapore, often working alongside colleagues in London on English law matters and on cross-border deals involving the UK. Counsel Jolie Giouw is another key member of the team.

Shook Lin & Bok LLP’s established corporate team provides wide-ranging expertise to the start-up and venture capital sector. The firm represents an impressive number of venture capital funds, start-ups and growth companies. It has a fine record in Singapore and Indonesia deals, along with transactions across the region. Ho Ying Ming has built a fine record in venture financings. Dayne Ho is also active in this area.

Withers KhattarWong LLP has a significant presence in local and regional start-up and venture capital matters, bringing its prominent tax advisory expertise to many of its prime engagements. Much of its practice centres on early stage, growth and later stage funding rounds, along with bridge financings, venture debt, M&A and technology transfers. It is also noted for venture fund formation, along with its particular expertise in the Indonesian market. Clients include start-ups and growth companies from around the region, along with a range of venture funds. Joel Shen leads the tech Asia team and the Indonesia practice; he represents a large number of clients in the Indonesian market. Daniel Yong provides additional senior expertise.

Ashurst ADTLaw has committed itself to the venture capital and start-up arena. The firm represents a multitude of venture funds (including corporate venture funds) and family offices in their investments, particularly in Indonesia. It also advises start-ups and growth companies (including unicorns) on a broad range of transactional and other matters. Head of M&A in Southeast Asia Tao Koon Chiam and Xiaozheng Ko, who leads the high growth practice, are well known in the Singapore start-up and venture community.

Collyer Law LLC has a significant focus on start-up and venture capital work through specialist partner Azmul Haque (‘seasoned attorney with extensive experience in working with investors/start ups’) and the wider team. The department consistently demonstrates its expertise in seed and early stage funding right through to M&A. It advises a range of investors and emerging companies, with notable strength in matters involving Southeast Asia and South Asia (including India, Bangladesh and Pakistan). It has continued to advise on numerous early stage funding rounds along with some more substantial investments by venture and private equity funds. Vincent Bu provides further senior talent.

Quahe Woo & Palmer LLC has worked on a number of headline deals over the years, including for some of the major global venture capital funds. Continuing to operate on both the buy and sell sides, it has achieved prominence in fintech, agritech and edtech, along with direct-to-consumer retail and logistics. The firm has continued to advise on a wide range of matters from seed funding to M&A transactions. Keith Oh is a corporate partner with a major focus on start-ups and venture capital. Lau Kiat Wee has left the firm.