ABOUT GDV
Founded in 2020, Garden District Ventures is a consumer-focused thematic investment fund that discovers, invests in, and supports remarkable entrepreneurs and high-growth potential companies in emerging, middle-income markets across Southeast Asia and beyond.
Our fund thesis is centered on identifying interconnected market dynamics and demographic shifts where we believe growth opportunities lie over the next 2- to 20+ years. Fundamental changes in global consumption patterns, value-driven purchasing behavior, the rebalancing of supply chains, the rise of online learning and entertainment, and a renewed focus on personal care and wellbeing underpin our high-conviction investment strategies.
Principally speaking, our Garden District Ventures team is committed to backing those mission-driven startups that are disrupting the status quo, delighting their customers, and solving real-world problems.
OUR TEAM
Garden District Ventures is a collaborative team of entrepreneurs, operators, investors, and analysts with decades of experience in startup formation, talent development, management consulting, and go-to-market strategy. Collectively, we share an in-depth knowledge of emerging market trends across the ASEAN region and a deep understanding of each country’s unique business climate, cultural norms, and fast-growing industries.
We take an active, “boots on the ground” approach, and our talented group of professionals are based in Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, the U.S., and the U.K. We are committed to continuing to build an inclusive, diverse team that reflects the changing face of venture capital.
We cannot drive people; we must direct their development. Teach and lead.
OUR FOCUS
Garden District Ventures’ primary areas of interest include health & wellness, food tech, digital payments, supply chain & logistics, prop-tech, and sustainability, although we often review and consider other investment opportunities and complementary deal flow.
We prefer to get involved with companies early on, typically at the pre-seed or seed stage, as first money in, or in some cases before a cap table even exists. Our initial ticket sizes range from $250K to $500K with the expectation of participating in follow-on rounds.
Our portfolio company founders all embody creativity, empathy, and curiosity—human factors that we believe drive breakout success and will shape the best possible future world.
To be equitable, economic growth has to be sustainable.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
With more than 680 million residents spread amongst ten nations, an aggregate GDP of nearly $3 trillion, and a median population age of 30 years old, Southeast Asia is one of the most dynamic and culturally diverse regions on Earth. Regional startup ecosystems have experienced unprecedented growth in recent years due to digital adaptation, cross-border investment and trade agreements, and market-oriented economic reforms.
Projections are that more than 140 million new consumers will come online across the ASEAN region over the next decade, amounting to 16% of the world’s new consumer class.
Vietnam
Singapore
Thailand
Indonesia
Philippines
Malaysia
A city’s environment is shaped not only by people who have an important influence, but by everyone who lives or works there.
INSIGHTS
Latest Posts
Samsung to begin making semiconductor parts in Vietnam in 2023
There’s been MAJOR news over the past month on global semiconductor production. Announcements by Samsung Electronics on multi-decade investments in the U.S. as well as their intent to shift production of component parts to Vietnam from China next year signal a big repositioning in chip manufacturing to better meet demand.
Venture Capital Isn’t Slowing Down in 2022
After a record-setting 2021 for venture capital investments around the globe, the new year shows no signs of cooling off, according to PitchBook Data—and emerging markets could be the big winners.
RCEP Will Drive ASEAN Economic Recovery
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) goes into effect on January 1, 2022, and will serve as an economic growth engine for the entire ASEAN region through freer trade and a massive reduction in tariffs.
Reimagining investment: Human rights in venture capital
Are venture builders failing to address and manage international human rights risks as part of their portfolio company due diligence?
Study Shows Significant New Taxes on Carried Interest Damages Economic Opportunity
A new study on taxing carried interest at ordinary income rates at U.S.-based venture firms will hinder the launch of new funds, especially in areas with less mature startup ecosystems according to the National Venture Capital Association.
China and ASEAN push for timely RCEP start as Jan. 1 looms
The economic importance of the RCEP is massive for Southeast Asia as a region and stands to add $500 billion annually to global trade within a decade.
Startup secondaries market heats up, prompting Forge to seek own listing
The secondary market in Southeast Asia will no doubt continue to heat up, and it will be interesting to see which of the emergent marketplaces will rise to the top.
Women still have a venture capital problem. This is how we actually fund female entrepreneurs.
In building Garden District Ventures, we have elevated diversity, gender equality, and ESG to the forefront of our screening process when considering prospective investments and their founding teams.
Amidst rising tensions with China, Washington offers some assurances to Southeast Asia
The significance of U.S. Vice President Harris' trip to Singapore and Vietnam should not be understated—as it is an incredibly complex regional dynamic with many moving parts—an example of three-dimensional chess on a geopolitical scale.
How Innovation Hubs Surged Despite the Pandemic
“With 2020 in the rear-view mirror, we can see that some startup ecosystems are growing almost twice as fast as before, including Houston, Sydney and Hyderabad.”
Southeast Asia’s Green Shift Could Yield $12.5 Trillion in Gains
Do or do not: Southeast Asia is at a fork in the road when it comes to rebalancing its energy mix according to a new report from the Deloitte Economics Institute and very few places on Earth face a greater threat from climate change than here.
Both Asia and the West Need Stakeholder Capitalism
As a firm, Garden District Ventures champions the importance of stakeholder capitalism. A vital relationship exists between companies, employees, shareholders, and society at large, and creating long-term value is at the heart of what we do.
Thailand’s Oil Giant Is Going on a Green Spending Spree
With more than $10 billion in new investments including an electric vehicle manufacturer and renewable energy projects in Vietnam and India, Thailand’s PTT Group—a state-controlled oil giant—appears to be betting big on sustainability.
Moving Forward in an Inclusive Digital World: The Case of Mobile Money
Digital payments in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines reached a record of US$620 billion in 2020. That number is expected to hit US$1.2 trillion annually by 2025 and yet women appear to be being left behind.
NewCampus wants to train the first-time managers within Southeast Asia’s tech giants
The technology talent base here in Southeast Asia continues to deepen as regional startups grow and mature, and Singapore-based NewCampus sees a tremendous opportunity to train the next generation of managers.
SPACs are targeting Southeast Asia’s start-ups, and investors are taking note
With more than $6 billion in fresh capital invested in ASEAN startups in just the first 3 months of 2021, investors are eyeing the region in a big way, and IPO momentum continues at a record-breaking pace.
Asia’s wealthy heirs, family offices bet on women in business with ‘gender lens’ investing
Unprecedented wealth creation in Asia over the past two decades has elevated an important conversation on gender lens investing, leadership diversity, and female empowerment across the region.
COVID surge puts brakes on Thai and Malaysia growth: survey
The contrast of economic performances varies widely across SE Asia in 2021 thus far, with Singapore and Vietnam seeing significant GDP growth driven by technology and trade, domestic consumption, and infrastructure spending. However, other nations have not fared as well.
Six Days in Suez: The Inside Story of the Ship That Broke Global Trade
Here’s the true story of the Ever Given, the mammoth shipping vessel en route from Malaysia to the Netherlands with a billion dollars worth of goods on board when it ran aground in the Suez Canal and nearly brought the global supply chain to an immediate halt.
UNICEF invests in blockchain startups for financial inclusion
“An estimated 1.7 billion people around the world remain “unbanked” and do not have access to basic financial services, such as a bank account, according to The World Bank's latest figures.”
Amid healthy investor appetite, Southeast Asia’s first agritech accelerator sees sector maturing
Agriculture technology (Ag-Tech) startups are benefitting from shifting consumer trends and increasing investor appetite across Southeast Asia according to Silicon Valley-based AgFunder, a leading VC firm propelling sustainable companies forward.
COVID-19 Drives Uptake of Digital Payment Systems
As the pandemic shut down day-to-day life around the world, more than 40 million new users came online for the first time across Southeast Asia’s six largest economies in 2020. Sectors including e-commerce, cross-border payments, and insurtech boomed as a result.
What’s Driving the Flurry of Financial Activity in Southeast Asia’s Tech Sector?
Lots of merger and IPO activity is heating up in Southeast Asia: The eye-popping $40B Grab SPAC listing, the Gojek/ Tokopedia super-app tie-up, and Traveloka eyeing public markets in the U.S.
Will the pandemic spur a smart rebirth for cities?
Despite early predictions that cities were on the decline and that residents were fleeing in droves, the COVID-19 pandemic might very well stimulate a rebirth and a reshaping of global cities in exciting new ways.
Smarter Food Policy Could Boost Health and Economic Recovery of Asian Cities
‘RICH Food, Smart City’ is a new book from The World Bank that offers solutions and policy changes for Asian cities seeking to boost the resiliency of local food systems while addressing widespread food insecurity around the region.
Philippine logistics industry still a young market, offers vast opportunities
With its 109 million citizens spread out over 2,000+ islands, the Philippines offers massive opportunities for logistics companies, whose operations have also been challenged historically by poor infrastructure and unpredictable weather.
Myanmar Faces Wider Business Fallout After Kirin Retreat
Multinational companies in industries ranging from telecommunications to beer brewing to hospitality are waiting with bated breath as the military coup in Myanmar plays out. Given the unpredictability, investors have begun to seek safe havens elsewhere.
The 2021 PitchBook Report is Here
The 2021 South by Southwest x PitchBook Data report has been released and it offers a great perspective on the current state of early-stage venture investing in the United States and beyond while delivering some good tidbits on the venture capital industry as a whole.
Energy is necessary for economic growth, for a better quality of life, and for human progress.
Garden District Ventures believes in doing well by doing good and we’re always on the hunt for new opportunities. Interested in sharing your startup story with us?
Please take a moment to review our FAQ section and connect with us using the form below. A member of our team will then be in touch with you to schedule a conversation. We value you reaching out and thank you for your interest in Garden District Ventures.
