New partners in funding ventures

Finding someone to invest in your start-up company can be really hard. To counter this growing negative trend, early stage ecosystem influencer, Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, an entity that clearly understands the scenario all too well, is looking to throw start-ups a helpful bone as it has partnered with four other companies to create a co-investing agenda.

Cradle’s four new partners are Fatfish Ventures Sdn Bdh, OSK Ventures International Bhd, CoEnt Venture Partners Pte Ltd, and Crystal Horse Investments Pte Ltd. These signed partners will take part in a one-to-one equity co-investment exercise, investing up to RM500,000 each to fund Malaysian technology based start-ups.

Alongside the investment, Cradle will also be taking equity in the companies invested, which is a first for the Government-linked agency. This agreement is collectively worth RM11.5mil and is the largest co-investment agreement Cradle has signed thus far. In comparison, the agreement with Golden Gate Ventures Pte Ltd last June had been worth RM2.5mil.

“We are very elated to bring four new partners on-board this collaborative venture. This co-investment partnership takes our relationship with each other to a whole new level. Being seasoned investors, our new partners will also give us additional insights and shared experiences with investments in start-ups that Cradle may not currently have,” says Nazrin Hassan, Chief Executive Officer of Cradle.

All four are keen to see what they can do with their joint investment funds and programmes for 2015 as they are now looking for recently established and new platforms to invest in.

“This is one way Cradle can continue supporting highly talented technology entrepreneurs realise their dreams for success,” he adds.