Gobi Partners and Cross Capital Team Up to Boost Investments in Southeast Asia Startups

Gobi Partners, a prominent venture capital firm focused on Asia, has formed a strategic alliance with Cross Capital, a Tokyo-based investment firm, to enhance Japanese investments in Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem. 

The partnership will support cross-border innovation by leveraging Gobi’s regional expertise and Cross Capital’s deep connections with Japanese corporations. Together, they plan to provide startups and investors valuable access to networks, resources, and investment opportunities across Southeast Asia and beyond.

The collaboration will also strengthen the flow of investments between Northeast Asia and the ASEAN region, with Cross Capital utilizing its flagship fund of funds to connect Japanese companies with startups. By combining their strengths, the two firms hope to drive impactful partnerships and growth opportunities, benefiting local startups and Japanese investors seeking to tap into Southeast Asia’s dynamic market.

Cross Capital, recognized for its Fund of Funds (FoF), links Japanese companies to a diverse portfolio of around 1,800 startups globally. This initiative is designed to aid the market entry, expansion, and scaling of Southeast Asian startups, in line with Gobi’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the connections between the ASEAN and Northeast Asian regions.

Cross Capital’s goal to unleash Japan’s potential through cross-border innovation is shown by its flagship FoF, which enables Japanese companies to engage in open innovation and tap into global startup ecosystems. This framework allows corporations to transform business models by connecting with top-tier venture capitalists and startups worldwide. Through this collaboration, Gobi and Cross Capital intend to accelerate market entry, localization, and scaling efforts for startups, benefiting both entrepreneurs and investors.

The partnership also complements Gobi Partners‘ strategy of building synergies between the ASEAN and Northeast Asia regions, encapsulated in the “Crouching Panda, Hidden Tapir” framework. Gobi’s past successful partnerships with Japanese investors include exits like Hermo, acquired by iStyle Retail, and Workmate, acquired by Japan’s Persol Asia Pacific. 

Takaki Nakamura, Co-Founder and CEO of Cross Capital, spoke about the strong interest of major corporations in Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem. He expressed excitement about working with Gobi Partners to co-create impactful business projects, investments, and M&A opportunities. By combining the strengths of both firms, the partnership aims to drive innovation and unlock new value, bridging the rise of Southeast Asia’s digital economy with the assets and capabilities of Japanese companies.

By leveraging their combined expertise and vision, Gobi Partners and Cross Capital plan to encourage cross-border innovation and strengthen the connections between Northeast Asia and ASEAN. This partnership will benefit both startups and investors by allowing them to collaborate stronger and deeper and unlock new opportunities across the regions. The collaboration seeks to enhance market entry and growth prospects for Southeast Asian startups, creating a dynamic ecosystem for innovation and scaling.