Wavemaker Partners: Backing Southeast Asia’s Boldest Builders

Wavemaker Partners: Backing Southeast Asia’s Boldest Builders

Wavemaker Partners is a pioneering early-stage venture capital firm with dual roots in Los Angeles and Singapore. As one of Southeast Asia’s most active investors, Wavemaker is known for discovering high-conviction opportunities in enterprise, deep tech, and sustainability well before the crowd catches on.

With over 180+ investments in Southeast Asia and $300M+ in AUM in the region, Wavemaker is a firm that backs founders solving hard, important problems. Whether it’s enabling B2B e-commerce in the Philippines, automating aquaculture in Indonesia, or building climate-tech companies from scratch, Wavemaker’s portfolio is a masterclass in bold, impact-driven innovation.

Who They Are

Founded in 2003, Wavemaker began as a venture out of Los Angeles and has since evolved into a cross-border powerhouse. The firm has backed 360+ companies globally, including Blue Bottle Coffee, TradeGecko, Coins.ph, and Moka. In Southeast Asia, its Singapore-led team has become a go-to partner for founders building high-growth, early-stage ventures across the region.

Wavemaker’s edge lies in its ability to spot “unobvious” opportunities and take big swings on overlooked sectors especially enterprise and deep-tech. The firm brings not only capital, but also deep operational support, strategic guidance, and a growing ecosystem of corporate partners and investors.

Investment Thesis

Wavemaker invests in early-stage (pre-seed to Series A) startups across Southeast Asia, with a strong tilt toward enterprise software, deep tech, and climate solutions. Around 85% of its portfolio falls under enterprise/deep tech, while over 90% of its active companies contribute to at least one UN Sustainable Development Goal.

Their thesis: True opportunity = Value – Perception. That means backing founders with unique insights into markets others might underestimate—and helping them scale globally.

Notable Investments

• Coins.ph– Fintech platform acquired by Gojek

• TradeGecko – B2B SaaS acquired by Intuit

• Moka.– Indonesian POS startup acquired by Gojek

• GrowSari – B2B platform transforming Philippines’ sari-sari stores

• eFishery – Aquaculture tech unicorn solving food security

• Blue Bottle Coffee – Acquired by Nestlé, redefining specialty coffee

• Wavecell – Cloud communications exit to 8x8

• Winc – Wine-tech IPO on NYSE American

Wavemaker has also co-founded companies through Wavemaker Labs (robotics) and Wavemaker Impact (climate tech), building ventures like Miso Robotics and carbon-abating startups from the ground up.

Investment Snapshot

• 🎯 Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A

• 🌏 Focus: Southeast Asia (Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam)

• 💰 Avg. Check Size: $500K – $3M

• 📁 Sector Focus: Enterprise SaaS, Fintech, Deep Tech, Sustainability

• 🚀 Active Funds: 4 SEA funds, $300M+ under management

• 💼 Notable LPs: IFC, Temasek Pavilion Capital, family offices of tech founders

Why It Matters

In a region often dominated by consumer-focused plays, Wavemaker is rewriting the rules with its enterprise-first and impact-forward strategy. Their hands-on, founder-first approach, coupled with a deep understanding of Southeast Asia’s unique dynamics, makes them a catalytic partner for early-stage startups.

WOWS Take

Whether you're building next-gen enterprise software, innovating in agritech, or tackling climate change, Wavemaker Partners is one investor that doesn’t wait for validation. They bring the conviction, capital, and courage to help founders go the distance starting on Day 1.

Checkout other VCs in WOWS Global’s network and bring your startup in front of the right audience.