Hemisphere Ventures, a U.S.-based venture capital and consulting firm, has opened its first Southeast Asia office in Singapore. The firm is known for early-stage investments in frontier technologies such as space, cybersecurity, biotech, nanotech, drones, and robotics. 

With the expansion into Singapore, Hemisphere enters the Southeast Asian market as it seeks to strengthen its global presence and explore opportunities in the region’s rapidly growing tech ecosystem.

With a focus on advanced technologies, Hemisphere Ventures aims to identify and support emerging Southeast Asian startups. The firm’s new office in Singapore will serve as a hub for its investment strategy, targeting industries that are shaping the future of innovation and technology. 

Hemisphere Ventures, founded in 2014, has established a strong portfolio of U.S.-based investments in frontier technologies, drawing attention from major VC firms and family offices. Its portfolio spans various industries, including space, cybersecurity, biotech, nanotech, drones, and robotics. 

The firm now looks to expand its reach by tapping into Southeast Asia’s growing tech landscape, with the opening of its first office in Singapore. 

Chip Whittemore, recently promoted to managing partner, is leading this expansion. In his new role, Whittemore will oversee the operations in Singapore and work to establish strong relationships with local investors, founders, and other key players in the Southeast Asian ecosystem. 

Lisa Rich, founder of Hemisphere Ventures, expressed the firm’s global commitment, emphasizing that the new Singapore office is an important part of the strategy to engage with the Southeast Asian market. “Our new Singapore office enables us to connect startups with international markets,” she said. Rich also highlighted Whittemore’s leadership in driving the Hemisphere’s growth in the region, recognizing the tremendous opportunities as Southeast Asia attracts both talent and capital.

With its favorable business policies and strategic location, Singapore has become a key hub for investors looking to access the region’s emerging markets. With over S$5.5 trillion in assets under management, the city-state’s stable regulatory environment makes it an ideal base for Hemisphere Ventures to tap into Southeast Asia’s burgeoning tech industry.

Family offices in Singapore have surged in number, more than tripling since 2020. In the first eight months of 2024 alone, an additional 250 offices have been established, reflecting the region’s growing appeal as a stable investment hub. This influx highlights the shifting investment landscape in Asia, with wealthy investors and venture capital firms increasingly looking to Singapore for opportunities in advanced technologies. 

Due to evolving regional dynamics and geopolitical uncertainties, the city-state has become a favored destination for diversification, especially as capital flows shift from China, Indonesia, and India.

Chip Whittemore noted Singapore’s strategic position as a key attraction for advanced technology investments. “Singapore provides a safe and attractive destination for advanced technology investments, with access to high-growth opportunities across Southeast Asia,” he said. 

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