The Garrison Group Is Looking Toward the Digital World in Asia
Asian business is receiving massive venture capital from around the globe and the Garrison Group see it as a huge opportunity to stake a large claim in the Asian VC market.
Toronto, Ontario, August 17, 2015 (Newswire.com) - The Asian VC boom has been the most prominent feature of a global surge in start-up investing with companies around the globe vying for a slice of the pie. Canadian VC firm the Garison Group’s Managing Partner - Brian Probert stated “With investments in digital technology rising rapidly in Asia and our commitment to investing heavily in this sector, we believe there has never been a better time for us to look to bolster our presence in Asia”. They are not alone, over the next year expect to see many firms outside of Asia trying to get a foot in the door.
Venture capital investments in Asia soared in the second quarter, reaching more than half the level of the US, thanks to a series of big deals aimed at building digital champions in China, South Korea and India.
The Asian VC boom has been the most prominent feature of a global surge in start-up investing this year, according to figures compiled by investment research firm CB Insights for KPMG.
The Asian investments in the latest quarter were led by $US1bn for South Korean ecommerce company Coupang, along with $US850 for Chinese mobile internet company Dianping and $US550m for Indian ecommerce concern Flipkart.
In all, investment in Asia reached $US10.5bn, compared with the $US19.2bn venture capital put to work in the US, which is experiencing its own private investment boom.
The surge in money pouring into Asian start-ups has put Europe in the shade, despite a notable pick-up in investments there as well this year, according to CB Insights.
Quarterly investment in Europe so far this year has averaged $US3.3bn, compared with an average of $US2.1bn a quarter during most of 2014, with the UK accounting for a third of the investment.
The Asian boom comes as venture investment around the world is set to reach its highest level this year since the last tech boom.
Total investments topped $US60bn in the first half, compared with a total of $US88.3bn in all of 2014.
The large size of "growth" investment rounds for the most developed start-ups has characterized the wave of investment.
Asia saw a disproportionate number of huge investments, with 25 funding rounds topping $US100m compared with 30 in the US during the same period.