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The 2023 Echelon Asia Summit is happening at the Singapore EXPO on 14-15 June 2023. Are you a startup founder, investor, corporate, or tech enthusiast? Don’t miss out on one of the most anticipated tech conferences in the region! For more information, visit the official Echelon page.

In today’s dynamic business landscape where innovation and expansion are crucial for the long-term success of any company, growth equity has emerged as a key financing strategy for businesses aiming to scale rapidly. Growth equity is a form of private equity investment that focuses on providing capital to established companies with high-growth potential. Unlike traditional venture capital, which typically targets early-stage startups, growth equity is anchored towards companies that have already achieved a certain level of stability and revenue generation.

The importance of growth equity in businesses today cannot be overstated. It serves as a catalyst for accelerating growth, enabling companies to capitalise on market opportunities, expand their business either operationally or geographically, and help realise full business potential. By injecting capital into established businesses, growth equity investors offer more than just financial resources. They bring expertise, industry connections, and strategic guidance to help companies navigate complex challenges and maximise their growth trajectory.

The key differentiators of growth equity

One of the primary benefits of growth equity is its ability to fuel expansion without diluting the ownership stakes of existing shareholders. Unlike raising funds through an initial public offering (IPO) or venture capital, growth equity allows businesses to access substantial capital while maintaining control over their operations. This flexibility empowers companies to execute strategic initiatives such as product development, geographic expansion, mergers and acquisitions, or technology upgrades, without compromising their vision or long-term objectives.

Moreover, growth equity investors provide more than just monetary support. They often contribute deep industry knowledge, operational expertise, and a network of valuable connections. Their experience in scaling businesses can help companies refine their growth strategies, optimise operations, and enhance their competitive positioning. By leveraging the expertise of growth equity partners, businesses can avoid common pitfalls, identify untapped opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth.

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Another critical aspect of growth equity is its positive impact on employment and economic development. By infusing capital into companies with growth potential, growth equity investors facilitate job creation, stimulate economic activity, and foster innovation. As businesses expand and thrive, they generate employment opportunities, contribute to local economies, and drive technological advancements. This virtuous cycle of growth fuels economic prosperity and creates a ripple effect that extends beyond the companies themselves, creating impact on a broader societal scale.

However, unlike early-stage investments, when the goal of companies is to enter series C, this also requires more complex strategies that they may not be familiar with. As such, we turn to experts to understand the ins and outs and learn the ropes of growth equity funding, particularly in the Southeast Asian startup ecosystem.

What does it take to build an ideal growth equity platform for Southeast Asia?

With the goal of answering the question, “What does it take to build an ideal growth equity platform for Southeast Asia?” e27 will be speaking to experts from 500 Global and 500 Southeast Asia at the 2023 Echelon Asia Summit to discuss key trends and insights as well as strategies to take on growth equity funding in the region. The goal of the session is to help startups from the region gain unparalleled knowledge on how to engage with growth equity funding, to provide an insider understanding of the state of the region’s startup ecosystem, and to offer a glimpse at growth equity opportunities available today.

Helping e27 discuss the matter is, 500 Global, a venture capital firm with $2.7B in assets under management. 500 Global invests in founders that are building fast-growing technology companies. They focus on markets where technology, innovation, and capital can unlock long-term value and drive economic growth.

500 Global has backed over 5,000 founders representing more than 2,800 companies operating in over 80 countries. They have invested in more than 50 companies valued at over $1 billion and over 150 companies valued at over $100 million (including private, public, and exited companies). Their over 190 team members are located in 28 countries and bring experience as entrepreneurs, investors, and operators from some of the world’s leading technology companies.

Their over 140 team members are located in more than 15 countries and bring experience as entrepreneurs, investors, and operators from some of the world’s leading technology companies.

Hear it straight from the experts

Saemin Ahn, Partner at 500 Global, will be serving as one of our esteemed speakers at this year’s Echelon. Saemin has taken on many hats across the broader venture capital ecosystem, serving as an investor and advisor for One Signal, GoTo Group, CodaPayments, and Honestbank, as well as a board member and partner for several other reputable companies including ViSenze, Carousell, and Rakuten Ventures, among many others.

With over twenty years of experience, Saemin brings an unmatched level of expertise when it comes to understanding the complex world of growth equity. With all the growth-stage investment opportunities in Southeast Asia, Saemin will be taking a close look at the region’s vibrant ecosystem and the opportunities available to today’s most exciting innovators. Not only that, he will be providing key strategies on how companies can move from early-stage to series C funding, given the complex differentiators that growth-stage startups must study and anticipate.

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Speaking with him at the 2023 Echelon Asia Summit is Martin Cu, Partner at 500 Southeast Asia. Martin boasts an extensive background across the Southeast Asian business landscape, having previously worked as Country Head for the logistics platform, Ninja Van in the Philippines, as the Head of Acquisition Marketing for the on-demand streaming service, Hooq, as Marketing Director at the e-commerce platform, Zalora Philippines, and as Device Manager at the telecommunication giant, Globe Telecom.

With his operational knowledge having taken on executive roles at various companies across different verticals and his experience operating within Southeast Asia’s competitive business landscape, Martin will be imparting his unique understanding of the operational aspects of companies that could help them get a leg up as they pursue growth opportunities.

With their combined experience and industry knowledge, Saemin and Martin will be providing dynamic insights that can help the region’s most exciting startups explore opportunities for growth equity in today’s increasingly competitive fundraising landscape.

Moderating the session is Mohan Belani, Co-Founder and CEO of e27.

The 2023 Echelon Asia Summit

Get to know these experts and more at this year’s Echelon!

Echelon Asia Summit 2023 is happening on 14-15 June, at the Singapore EXPO. Featuring a slew of speakers, exhibitors, business matching sessions, pitching stages, and more, the event enables participants to connect, network, and engage with the larger tech startup ecosystem.

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At the Echelon Asia Summit, participants get the chance to attend a diverse range of sessions, including keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops, all exploring exciting topics like AI, blockchain, e-commerce, fintech, and marketing. You’ll also have the opportunity to join networking sessions and meet-ups where you can connect with fellow entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders.

To learn more about Echelon Asia Summit 2023 and sign up for the event, visit the official page here.

The post Echelon: Strategies for growth equity according to industry experts appeared first on e27.