
Gobi Partners
Description
Gobi Partners stands as a highly interconnected Pan-Asian venture capital firm, distinguished by its extensive reach across North Asia, South Asia, and ASEAN. Established in 2002, the firm has cultivated a deep understanding of the diverse and rapidly evolving digital economies within these regions. Gobi Partners primarily targets early-stage technology companies, ranging from seed to Series B, with a strategic focus on sectors poised for significant growth, including artificial intelligence, fintech, e-commerce, and digital transformation. Their investment philosophy emphasizes identifying innovative startups that can leverage technology to address unique market demands and achieve cross-border scalability.
The firm's geographic footprint is particularly robust, with a strong presence and dedicated teams in key markets such as China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. This localized expertise allows Gobi Partners to provide tailored support and strategic guidance to its portfolio companies, facilitating their expansion across different Asian markets. They are known for their "borderless" approach, actively fostering connections and synergies between companies operating in various parts of the continent, thereby creating a powerful ecosystem for growth and collaboration.
Gobi Partners has built an impressive portfolio over two decades, demonstrating a consistent commitment to nurturing promising ventures. As of late 2023, the firm manages over 15 funds with a combined Assets Under Management (AUM) exceeding $1.5 billion. Their investment activity is substantial, having backed more than 350 companies across Asia. For initial investments, Gobi Partners typically deploys first cheques ranging from $500,000 for promising seed-stage startups to approximately $5,000,000 for leading Series A rounds, with potential for larger follow-on investments as companies mature. This flexible approach allows them to support companies through critical growth phases, from inception to significant market presence.
Investor Profile
Gobi Partners has backed more than 82 startups, with 12 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 29 rounds, about 35% of its total and boasts 16 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series A, Series B, Seed rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in China, Malaysia, Indonesia.
- Strong thematic focus on E-Commerce, Financial Services, Internet.
- Led 6 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $500K – $5M.
Stage Focus
- Series A (32%)
- Series B (22%)
- Seed (18%)
- Series Unknown (13%)
- Series C (10%)
- Angel (2%)
- Corporate Round (2%)
Country Focus
- China (30%)
- Malaysia (15%)
- Indonesia (12%)
- Singapore (12%)
- Hong Kong (9%)
- Australia (4%)
- Philippines (4%)
- United Kingdom (4%)
- Thailand (2%)
- United States (1%)
Industry Focus
- E-commerce
- Financial Services
- Internet
- Fintech
- Automotive
- Finance
- Advertising
- Lending
- Apps
- Shopping
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.