Why KOMPAS VC's €150M Fund II Is a Win for Asian Startups
Josefa dela Cruz
Let’s face it, VC European fund headlines making a splash seldom if ever are the ones that get hearts thumping in Manila or Jakarta. Hear me out. KOMPAS VC’s €150M Fund II focuses on European industrial tech and it’s good news for Asian startups. This is particularly the case for the savvy innovators in the Philippines who are working hard to make their dreams a reality. It’s not a straight pipeline of money, but it cooks up a wave effect that can be transformative.
Europe's Innovation, Asia's Gain?
Think of it like this: you're hiking in the Cordillera mountains of Luzon, Philippines. Breathtaking, right? What of the environmental damage posed by the copper mines currently scarring the landscape? Now, picture a European startup, backed by KOMPAS VC, developing an amazing new innovation for sustainable mining technology. This breakthrough would significantly reduce waste and emissions in the sector! That technology has the potential to be truly disruptive for Philippine mining companies, opening up new lines of profitable business and protecting those priceless mountain trails.
It's an unexpected connection, right? It's precisely this interconnectedness of the global innovation ecosystem that makes KOMPAS VC's fund relevant to Asian entrepreneurs. They're not funding Philippine startups directly, but they're fueling innovation that can indirectly address critical challenges faced by industries across Asia.
KOMPAS VC's focus on decarbonization, productivity, and resilience isn't just a European concern. It's a global imperative. And the solutions they're investing in – AI-powered product design, advanced battery recycling, supply chain transparency – are applicable everywhere, including the rapidly industrializing economies of Southeast Asia.
Funding the Future, Globally Connected
The truth hurts, sometimes. While Europe celebrates a €150M fund dedicated to industrial tech, Asia grapples with a glaring funding gap in this crucial sector. In aggregate, we see tremendous investments flooding into e-commerce and fintech. Where are the Asian venture capitalists to support the Asian startups that are solving these industrial problems?
It's enraging, honestly. Smart engineers and entrepreneurs in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam are helping to spread that innovation. They’re building new innovations across the board, from zero waste initiatives to advancements in clean energy. Too frequently their capital starved, bootstrapping or raising money from abroad. That’s a damn shame, and it should change.
KOMPAS VC's investment in companies like Prewave (risk management platform), Makersite (AI-powered product design optimization), and Again (CO2 conversion to chemicals) show us what's possible when vision meets capital. These are the kinds of solutions that Asian industries sorely require to be more competitive and sustainable. If European VCs are seeing this opportunity, why aren’t more Asian investors doing it?
A Call for Asian Industrial Titans
This has nothing to do with resenting KOMPAS VC for their accomplishments. It’s not so much about replicating their success, which for all intents and purposes is nearly impossible and certainly not desirable for the global economy. We have a long way to go in building a more conducive ecosystem for industrial tech startups here in Asia.
Now is the moment for Asian investors to lean in and help build the future we can all believe in!
- More dedicated VC funds: We need Asian VCs to recognize the massive potential of industrial tech and allocate capital accordingly.
- Government support: Governments should provide incentives and support for startups developing sustainable industrial solutions.
- Industry collaboration: Asian industries need to actively seek out and partner with local startups to drive innovation.
KOMPAS VC’s Fund II is about more than European industrial tech. There’s huge promise sitting in Asia. This is an open invitation to Asian investors to come forth and try to tap the opportunity. Europe’s having a great tech revolution, but why should they get to have all the fun? So let’s light our own industrial tech revolution, right here in Asia!
The potential benefits for Asian startups are immense. Think about:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Technology Transfer | European companies backed by KOMPAS VC could partner with Asian companies to transfer cutting-edge technologies, improving efficiency and sustainability. |
| Market Access | Asian startups could gain access to European markets through partnerships and collaborations with KOMPAS VC's portfolio companies. |
| Investment | The success of KOMPAS VC's portfolio companies could attract further investment to the Asian industrial tech sector, creating a virtuous cycle of innovation and growth. |
| Job Creation | Increased investment in industrial tech will lead to the creation of new jobs in Asia, boosting economic growth and improving livelihoods. |
| Environmental Impact | Sustainable industrial practices will help to address environmental challenges in Asia, such as pollution and climate change, preserving natural resources for future generations. |
KOMPAS VC's Fund II isn't just a win for European industrial tech. It's a reminder of the enormous potential that exists in Asia, and a challenge to Asian investors to step up and seize the opportunity. Let's not let Europe have all the fun – let's build our own industrial tech revolution, right here in Asia!
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