Mars Growth Capital, a Singapore-based tech investor, has launched a new Asia equity fund with an initial USD 500m.
The fund, called Dragon Fund, is the company’s maiden Asia equity fund and marks an initial close for the fund. It is unclear whether third-party capital will be involved in the fund, and the full target remains unknown.
The fund was set up by Mars Growth Capital, a joint venture between Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) and Liquidity Group.
The company was established in 2021 and combines the financial might of MUFG with the decision science of Liquidity Group to create unprecedented tech-based initiatives at scale.
The launch of Dragon Fund is a significant step for the company and will allow it to invest in Asian startups and support their growth.
The establishment of the new fund comes after Mars Growth Capital announced two new debt funds, “Mars Japan Fund” and “Mars Europe Fund,” earlier in May 2023. These funds will provide financing to Japanese and European startups, respectively.
The company’s expansion into debt financing shows its commitment to supporting startups at all stages of their development, and the launch of Dragon Fund further cements its position as a leading tech investor in the region.
Mars Growth Capital’s New Asia Fund
Mars Growth Capital, a tech investor established in 2021 by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) and Liquidity Group, has launched its maiden Asia equity fund with an initial USD 500m. The commitment marks an initial close for Dragon Fund, and the full target and whether third-party capital will be involved remains unclear.
The fund, called Dragon Fund I, will make growth equity investments in private, mid to late-stage tech and tech-enabled companies, with an initial focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Deal sizes will range from $20 million to $50 million.
The partnership between MUFG and Liquidity Group has been successful so far, with the two companies previously establishing two debt funds, Mars Japan Fund and Mars Asia Fund. MUFG Bank and Liquidity Group have also increased their total commitment to the debt funds under Mars Growth Capital to USD 1 billion.
According to a Reuters report, Mars Growth Capital is looking to invest in companies that are “disruptive and innovative”, with a focus on sectors such as fintech, healthcare, and e-commerce. The fund aims to provide capital to companies that are looking to expand their businesses in the Asia-Pacific region.
The launch of the Dragon Fund I comes as the Asia-Pacific region continues to attract a significant amount of investment. In 2022, the region saw a total of $300 billion in venture capital investment, with China and India leading the way.
Overall, Mars Growth Capital’s new Asia fund is a significant step for the company in expanding its investment portfolio and establishing a foothold in the Asia-Pacific region. With a focus on disruptive and innovative companies, the fund has the potential to make a significant impact on the tech industry in the region.
Target Market and Investment Focus
Mars Growth Capital’s new Asia equity fund, Dragon Fund, has a target size of USD 1 billion, and is focused on investing in innovative startups in the technology sector. The fund will primarily target early-stage and growth-stage companies in Singapore, Japan, and Europe.
Private Equity News Asia
The investment focus of the fund will be on companies that are leveraging AI technology and machine learning to create innovative solutions.
The fund will also invest in companies that are building machine learning platforms to enable other companies to leverage AI technology in their businesses.
The fund will target both pre-unicorns and unicorns, with a focus on helping growth companies to scale and expand their businesses. Mars Growth Capital’s extensive network and expertise in the technology sector will enable it to identify and invest in the most promising startups in the target markets.
The fund’s investment focus on Japanese and European startups is a strategic move by Mars Growth Capital to tap into the growing innovation and technology sectors in these regions. Japan has a thriving startup ecosystem, with a growing number of innovative startups in the technology sector. Similarly, Europe has a large number of innovative startups in the technology sector, particularly in countries such as the UK, Germany, and France.
Mars Growth Capital’s investment focus on AI technology and machine learning is also in line with the growing trend of companies leveraging these technologies to create innovative solutions.
The fund’s investments in machine learning platforms will enable other companies to leverage AI technology in their businesses, creating a multiplier effect on the impact of the fund’s investments.
Overall, Mars Growth Capital’s Dragon Fund is well-positioned to identify and invest in the most promising startups in the technology sector in Singapore, Japan, and Europe.
The fund’s investment focus on AI technology and machine learning will enable it to create significant value for its investors and the companies it invests in.
Private Equity News Singapore
