Startups & Emerging Companies
Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 : Singapore
Band 1
Email address
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+65 6890 7188About
Provided by Allen & Gledhill LLP
Our lawyers have extensive experience advising on each stage of the venture capital life cycle, and are well-placed to support investors and startups in their transactions, business operations and growth in South-east Asia. We represent a wide range of participants in the venture capital ecosystem, and our investor and startup clients cut across various profiles and sectors.
On the investor side, we act for venture capital funds, private equity funds, corporate venture capital arms and other strategic or financial investors. We advise on the full range of early to late-stage equity investments, secondary transactions, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and other commercial transactions, as well as venture debt and troubled portfolio company situations.
On the founder/startup-side, we advise on fundraising exercises throughout the startup’s life cycle. We also advise on the entire spectrum of startup matters, including governance, intellectual property, employment, incentive plans, corporate and regulatory matters, data privacy and other strategic transactions such as joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions and trade sales.
Chambers Review
Allen & Gledhill has an esteemed venture capital practice housing an impressive bench of experienced lawyers in Singapore. The firm is well known for acting for both emerging companies and investors on corporate and financing transactions, particularly early and late-stage financings. It works closely with its market-leading capital markets and TMT teams to offer holistic advice to startups. The team is notably experienced in representing startups in the payment and digital services space. Clients benefit from the firm's network of offices in South-East Asia, especially in relation to deals involving Indonesia. Sequoia Capital, GGV Capital and Wavemaker Pacific are examples of clients recently represented by the team.
Work Highlights
- Allen & Gledhill advised Smash Capital and Insight Partners, who were joined by GIC, on their USD690 million acquisition of a minority stake in Coda Payments.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The firm's strengths lie in its deep expertise in growth equity deals as well as its commitment to providing exceptional client care. The lawyers are known for their commercial acumen, which enables them to deliver practical solutions that are tailored to our needs."
"One of the key criteria when considering law firms for venture capital deals is their ability to balance legal diligence with commercial aspects. Allen & Gledhill is one of the most well balanced in this aspect."
"The firm's strengths lie in its deep expertise in growth equity deals as well as its commitment to providing exceptional client care. The lawyers are known for their commercial acumen, which enables them to deliver practical solutions that are tailored to our needs."
"One of the key criteria when considering law firms for venture capital deals is their ability to balance legal diligence with commercial aspects. Allen & Gledhill is one of the most well balanced in this aspect."
Notable Practitioners
Christian Chin is co-head of the venture capital practice at Allen & Gledhill in Singapore, regularly acting for venture capital investors and corporates on funding rounds, including Series D investments. He is particularly well versed in fintech and technology-related mandates.
"Chris is an impeccable lawyer who still gets very involved in deals. He can understand complex deal structures and the kinks and nuances of what we are trying to achieve, and come up with the best solutions for all parties."
Julian Ho is particularly highly rated for his venture capital practice in Singapore, regularly assisting investors with early and late-stage financings. He previously worked at a top-tier VC-focused firm in Silicon Valley and is capable of handling both domestic and international transactions.
"Julian has high attention to detail and extensive negotiation skills, and he is very pragmatic and solution-oriented. He's very pleasant to deal with - calm, composed and very responsive."
Nicholas Soh acts as transaction counsel for a range of startups and venture capital investors, including advising on both early and later-stage investments.
"Nicholas provided us with an incredibly high level of service, calibrated his service to our goals and needs, and worked collaboratively with opposing counsel to reach good results."
Ranked Lawyers at
Allen & Gledhill LLP
Singapore
Members
Provided by Allen & Gledhill LLP
Head of Department
Nicholas Soh
Su-Min Song
Sze Min Teoh
Tao Koon Chiam
Head of Department
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