Startup investor targets Thai tech firms

Thai-born Silicon Valley investor Jeep Kline has launched the impact fund Raisewell Ventures, which invests in the US and Southeast Asia using Thailand as a strategic hub for innovation.

- SUCHIT LEESA-NGUANSUK

Headquartered in Silicon Valley with strategic operations in Southeast Asia, the company invests in earlyto mid-stage deeptech startups, focusing on climate tech, supply chain manufacturing, and health tech.

"We expect to invest in at least one or two Thai startups that provide software-as-a-service by this September," said Mrs Jeep, founder and managing partner of Raisewell Ventures.

She said the company is interested in startups led by entrepreneurs with a regional-scale mindset, the ability to pivot during economic crises, and a strong understanding of both local and regional markets and scalability.

In Thailand, climate tech related to food and agriculture, electric vehicles and batteries, green materials, and health and wellness — particularly solutions that support an ageing society—hold strong potential, said Mrs Jeep.