NextBold Capital Eyes $100 Million Fund to Fuel SME Growth in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos

NextBold Capital, a Vietnam-based private equity firm, is aiming to raise $100 million to invest in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. These markets are experiencing rapid growth, and the firm’s first fund seeks to promote sustainable expansion for SMEs in the region.

The firm was co-founded by Sjoerd Zwinkels, a former investment director at Mekong Capital, along with Pedro Baliza and Jonas Wilbert, both former executives at Quadrant-backed Fitness & Lifestyle Group. Beyond financial investment, NextBold Capital offers operational expertise to help businesses scale efficiently in Southeast Asia’s dynamic economies.

NextBold Capital was established by Sjoerd Zwinkels, Pedro Baliza, and Jonas Wilbert, and it adopts a distinctive “Operational Investing” strategy. Rather than simply providing financial backing, the firm actively works alongside its portfolio companies, offering practical support to enhance governance, boost revenue, and streamline operations. The founders bring a wealth of experience in both investment and business management, having played key roles in the success of several prominent enterprises within the Indochina region.

The private equity firm is targeting a $100 million fund to support SMEs in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, with a focus on sectors such as education, healthcare, consumer goods, and services. These markets are seeing rapid expansion, driven by a growing middle class, entrepreneurial energy, and rising foreign investment. NextBold Capital aims to capitalize on these dynamics by fostering sustainable business practices and long-term value creation.

“We’re not just financial backers; we are partners on the ground,” said Managing Partner Pedro Baliza. The firm’s hands-on approach aims to help businesses scale effectively by addressing operational challenges. This strategy has attracted interest from family offices and investors looking to tap into the growth potential of these underserved markets.

NextBold Capital’s inaugural fund has seen momentum, with early commitments from family offices and pre-funding deals already in place. The firm has also gained recognition as a top Emerging Private Equity Manager in the Asia-Pacific region and is set to be seen at SuperReturn Asia 2024, a leading private equity and venture capital conference.

The firm has started mapping opportunities in these high-growth markets, with pre-funding deals already taking shape. These early investments are aimed at companies with strong fundamentals, where NextBold Capital sees potential for significant market leadership through strategic operational support.

“We’re thrilled with the deals we’ve lined up so far,” said Pedro Baliza, Managing Partner of NextBold Capital. “Our early investments focus on businesses in fast-growing sectors with a clear path to dominance, provided they receive the right operational backing. The momentum from family offices and co-investors has been strong, and we’re well-positioned to take advantage of the tremendous growth opportunities ahead.”

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