2018

Yahoo Finance

“Spiking, the world’s first blockchain asset validation and AI driven crypto trading infrastructure, has successfully completed its Initial Token Offering.

The Spiking Initial Token Offering is ranked amongst the world’s top 3.3 percent of ICOs. It is rated 4.4 on ICObench and 4.8 on ICOholder respectively, out of a maximum score of 5. Both are leading ICO rating websites. Spiking is also backed by Quest Ventures, CRC Capital, Mars Blockchain, Jove Capital, and Fundamental Labs.”

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The Business Times

Find good partners, avoid analysis paralysis to build a viable ESG strategy. Quest Ventures’ opinion on environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices get airtime in Singapore’s broadsheet The Business Times.

“Today, we support a range of social good initiatives by a dozen companies across Asia for education, and female and youth entrepreneurship, all guided by the goal of decent work and economic growth, said Quest Ventures managing partner James Tan.”

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The Business Times

TranSwap stands out by standing up for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“The company… burnished its credentials as an SME specialist by joining as a value-added service provider on the Singapore government’s Networked Trade Platform (NTP) for import and export companies… (TranSwap obtained) its remittance licence in Hong Kong in 2016, and in Singapore in July last year… Individuals and companies can transfer funds in the local currency or US dollars to some 45 countries spanning Europe, Australia and Asia, as well as the United States. TranSwap has about US$1.2 million in initial funding, including… from venture capital firm Quest Ventures.”

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ASEAN Secretariat News

Quest Ventures associate director Russ Neu led the Singapore delegation to attend the 2nd ASEAN-China Young Entrepreneur Forum in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

“Topics discussed included the importance of harnessing technology and innovation for SMEs in ASEAN Member States and China, key challenges hindering technology adoption and innovation, potential and challenges brought by China’s rapid advances in technology and innovation on businesses in ASEAN Member States and possible joint ventures, and recommendations on how to promote greater role of innovation for SME development. Through the forum, ASEAN and China young entrepreneurs were also able to establish networking and business linkages, and explore possible collaborations.

The forum was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, and supported by the ASEAN-China Centre and the government of the People’s Republic of China through the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund.”

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Singapore Business Review

Carousell… has expanded to 19 cities across seven countries around the world, raising $174.14m (US$126.8m) YTD in funding from seven venture capital firms in the process including Sequoia Capital, 500 Startups and Quest Ventures.

“We still have a long way to go in realising our vision for Carousell,” Quek Siu Rui, Carousell’s co-founder and CEO, told Singapore Business Review in response to being branded as Singapore’s next possible unicorn. “Carousell’s purpose is to be more than just a transactional platform. Our end goal is to a grow a community of millions of people around the world who share our belief that changing the way we consume things can make life more meaningful.”

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Digital News Asia

Quest Ventures managing partner James Tan, in his capacity as Chairman of the Business Angel Network of Southeast Asia (BANSEA) – Asia’s oldest angel network – was on the panel at the ASEAN Angel Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“Angel leaders from eight of the 10 ASEAN nations shared the state of angel investing in their countries. Bansea chairman James Tan sees that there is a lot of opportunity in Southeast Asia and angel investment is actually getting more sophisticated these days. Many are viewing Singapore as a viable launchpad into the region. He did, however, point out that entrepreneurs often fail as they don’t raise enough funds in time. “Some don’t understand finance and are unable to handle their own finances,” he pointed out.”

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Tech in Asia

Quest Ventures’ investment into Haikini, a bikini brand for surfers, made the news.

“It might seem odd for a VC firm to back a business that isn’t clearly a technology company, but it’s nothing new. Sequoia Capital has invested in a cafe chain in India and a sports media company in Singapore. A coffee chain in Indonesia recently got VC funding.

“Beckie is deeply committed to helping the Bali community that’s producing the apparel, and for the market opportunity that she sees in this niche and passionate segment of customers. Imagine Quiksilver, but now Asia-based and female-managed,” says Tan.

Plus, “she’s a go-getter,” he added.”

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The Business Times

Quest Ventures has been named a Champion of Good alongside Barclays Bank, Standard Chartered Singapore, Expedia, Shell, DBS, IBM Singapore, Microsoft Asia, Procter & Gamble, Visa, and other stalwarts of doing good.

The “Champions of Good is a national recognition framework under the Company of Good, designed to catalyse the corporate giving movement and build a City of Good. It recognises organisations that have not only been exemplary in their corporate giving efforts, but have also been an influencer and multiplier by engaging their partners and stakeholders on a collaborative giving journey.”

The award was presented by Minister of Finance Heng Swee Keat. The National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, Singapore Business Federation Foundation, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and SG Cares conferred the honour.

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