Overview
Saison Capital is the venture capital investment arm of Credit Saison, one of Japan's largest consumer credit companies, with an impressive US$30 billion in assets under management (AUM). Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Singapore, Saison Capital actively invests in early-stage companies, focusing primarily on pre-seed to Series A startups. The firm is known for its strategic investments across sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, and Web3, leveraging its global reach to back innovative and ambitious founders solving significant problems.
Strategic Focus and Approach
As an operator-first venture capital firm, Saison Capital differentiates itself through hands-on experience in startup development and a distinctive investment strategy integrating Credit Saison’s extensive resources and industry expertise. This integration allows Saison Capital to offer patient equity financing, unconstrained by traditional funding limitations. The firm operates with a comprehensive investment mandate informed by the operational experiences of its multifaceted team, ensuring that investments align with innovative, global market trends.
Investment and Portfolio Highlights
Saison Capital invests up to $30 million per year in promising startups spanning pre-seed to Series B stages. Significant investments include companies like LogX and Helicap in the financial services sector and collaborations with industry giants such as The Spartan Group and Animoca Brands. Recent strategic investments feature a US$10 million round in a Web3 company and participation in iPiD’s seed VC round to enhance global payments through innovative fintech solutions.
Geographic and Sectoral Reach
With a robust presence in Japan, India, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, Saison Capital utilizes its expansive reach to support startups in emerging markets. The firm operates with a sector-agnostic approach, particularly focusing on sectors like fintech, e-commerce, and emerging technologies such as Web3. Notably, its active involvement in transformational developments within the Web3 ecosystem signifies a commitment to pioneering the future of finance.
Team and Leadership
Saison Capital's team comprises experienced industry veterans from Asian fintech giants and unicorn startups. Key leadership figures include:
- Kosuke Mori, Managing Partner, instrumental in strategic decision-making and investment direction.
- Visa Kannan, Managing Partner, recognized for her role in co-hosting global conferences and expanding Saison Capital’s investment footprint in Southeast Asia.
- Qin En Looi, Partner, noted for empowering startup founders and providing insight into the venture capital landscape.
- Sharvin Baindur, Chief of Staff, playing a critical role in navigating Web3 initiatives.
Contact Information
For inquiries and further engagement, contact Saison Capital through email at hello@saisoncapital.com. The operational base is located at:
#19-01 Capital Tower
168 Robinson Road
Singapore 068912
The firm actively uses LinkedIn and other social platforms to share insights, company updates, and engage with the startup community globally.
Competitor Profiling for Saison Capital
Altara Ventures
- Headquarters: Singapore
- Investment Focus: Early-stage technology companies in Southeast Asia, particularly in Fintech, Logistics & Mobility, Consumer, Enterprise Software & Deep Tech, Healthcare, and Edtech sectors.
- Company Size: 11-50 employees
- Leadership: Koh Boon Hwee (Chairman & General Partner), Tan Chow Boon, Seow Kiat Wang, Dave Ng, Gavin Teo.
- Growth Activities: Actively expanding its investment team, indicating robust growth and a push to scale operations.
Everstone Capital
- Headquarters: Singapore, with a strong presence in India and Southeast Asia.
- Focus: Mid-market growth, operating through dedicated private equity and real estate funds.
- Company Size: 51-200 employees, with a global team of over 400 professionals.
- Notable Achievements: Completed multiple successful exits, including sales to Brookfield and Warburg Pincus, highlighting a strong track record in value creation.
Iterative
- Focus: Funding and support for startups primarily in Southeast Asia with an emphasis on accelerators.
- Unique Offering: As an accelerator, Iterative is significant in supporting early startup stages within the Southeast Asian venture capital landscape.
Strategic Insights
Emerging Market Focus: Saison Capital’s commitment to emerging markets aligns with macro trends where significant venture capital activity centers around high-growth regions. Competitors like Altara Ventures and Everstone Capital have extensive operations and networks in Asia, serving as both direct competitors and potential co-investors.
Team Expansion and Leadership: Competitors such as Altara Ventures are expanding teams to capture market opportunities, indicative of aggressive capital deployment in sectors and regions targeted by Saison Capital.
Track Record and Exits: Competitors like Everstone Capital demonstrate considerable success with portfolio exits, providing crucial benchmarks for Saison Capital to gauge competitive pressure and tailor exit planning and portfolio management strategies.
Geographic and Sectoral Diversification: Each competitor's focus, from Altara's broad sector approach to Iterative’s tech-centric model, underscores the need for Saison Capital to continually assess and potentially diversify its portfolio to capture significant opportunities, leveraging its strength in venture capital.
In conclusion, navigating the competitive landscape demands strategic agility and robust market intelligence. Challenges posed by established competitors necessitate a concerted effort to enhance deal sourcing capabilities and maintain an investment edge, especially in the Southeast Asian market.
