On June 12, 2020, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) in partnership with the Angel Investment Network Indonesia (ANGIN) launched The Emergence of Angel Investment Networks in Southeast Asia, a three-part report series outlining the landscape of Angel Investment Networks in Southeast Asia and exploring the challenges and opportunities for angel investments in the region. This first-of-its-kind report was launched during the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) Virtual Conference 2020.
Southeast Asia has become one of the fastest growing markets over the last decade, attracting many talented entrepreneurs to start new businesses in the region. However, numerous studies indicate that impact entrepreneurs and women-centered businesses experience greater challenges in growth due to insufficient access to financial and technical support. Angel investors play a critical role in expanding the pipeline of investible businesses by providing early stage ventures with essential resources, including capital to bridge the funding gap, and by sharing their expertise and networks to unlock business opportunities that facilitate growth.
In conjunction with the steady rise in the number of angel investors in the region, the practice of angel investing has also been increasingly structured through the establishment of Angel Investment Networks. The proliferation of Angel Investment Networks has led to more coordinated efforts to streamline angel investments, often resulting in larger investments into early stage ventures, demonstrating the important catalytic role angel investments play in the early stage investment landscape.
The first report of the series, A Good Practice Guide to Effective Angel Investing, focuses on the development and current landscape of Angel Investment Networks in Southeast Asia and provides an overview of the functions, taxonomy, and challenges facing angel networks in the region. Based on interviews with expert practitioners, this report also provides advice for managers and members of Angel Investment Networks to explore mechanisms to achieve financial sustainability, implement operational improvements, and pursue collaborations with other ecosystem players including entrepreneurs, government, intermediaries, and other investors.
The second report, A Spotlight on Gender Lens Investing (GLI), examines how GLI is being applied by Angel Investment Networks in Southeast Asia and provides insights into the opportunities and challenges for hybrid GLI-Angel Investments.
The third report, Country Profiles of Angel Investment Networks in Southeast Asia, takes an in-depth look at the early-stage and angel investment landscape of countries across Southeast Asia, highlighting key Angel Investment Network players, outlining policies that support angel investments, and laying out a range of opportunities, challenges, and recommendations to foster an environment for Angel Investments Networks to thrive.
Angel Masterclass
For prospective angel investors interested in learning about good practices for angel investing, in addition to the report, ANGIN and SPF also launched Angel Masterclass, the first online course for Angel Investing in Southeast Asia, where you can learn from regional experts and industry veterans to get regionally-tailored practical insights. This learning platform is powered by Sasakawa Peace Foundation and ANGIN. We are grateful to have 40+ individuals from 15+ organisations who are providing their expertise and insights to Angel Masterclass in support of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in SEA. Recently launched with the first 5 modules, this platform will consist of 10 modules, 60+ videos, readings and self-assessments to cover everything you need to know from deal sourcing and screening, through to due diligence, negotiation, deal execution and exits. Click the button below to start your angel investing journey with the online course.
