NextBold Capital, a private equity firm based in Ho Chi Minh City, is in the process of raising its debut fund, targeting $100 million to invest in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) throughout Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The firm has reported a surge in fundraising activity this year, with growing interest from investors.
The firm has already garnered early acclaim by being shortlisted as a 'must-watch' Emerging Private Equity Manager for Asia-Pacific at SuperReturn Asia 2024, one of the premier global conferences for private equity and venture capital. Through this fund, NextBold Capital aims to invest in sectors such as education, healthcare, consumer goods, technology, and agribusiness across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
The fund has started mapping the market in several sectors including education and healthcare, with pre-funding deals already in motion. "We're incredibly excited about the deals we've already lined up. Our early investments are targeting companies with strong business fundamentals in fast-growing markets, where we see clear potential for sector dominance with the right operational support", said Pedro Baliza, managing partner.
NextBold Capital's strategy focuses on targeting SMEs in major urban centers throughout Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. These markets are experiencing rapid growth due to a rising middle class, vibrant entrepreneurial cultures, and increased foreign investment.
“These markets are still underserved by global investors, particularly in the SME space. We see enormous potential for value creation by bringing in the right mix of capital and operational support", said managing partner Sjoerd Zwinkels, former investment director at Mekong Capital a leading asset management firm in Vietnam. After making investments, NextBold Capital works on the ground with portfolio companies to implement governance, drive revenue growth, and improve operational efficiency.