Beyond Winters: Funding Strategies amidst a Downturn

  • Minette Navarrete, Co-founder, President & Vice-Chairman, Kickstart Ventures, Inc.
  • Mia Melinda, CEO, Telkomsel Mitra Inovasi
  • Rahul Shah, Partner & Co-head, EvolutionX
  • Ishpreet Singh Gandhi, Founder, Stride Ventures & StrideOne
  • Andi Haswidi, Head of Data & Research, DealStreetAsia (Moderator)

As equity investments take a hit amidst macro market uncertainty, companies are seeking alternative ways to raise capital and facilitate their expansion plans. Fundraising sentiment has been bleak for private equity and venture capital funds, attributable to a myriad of macroeconomic uncertainties, while subdued demand for new listings has pushed companies into down rounds. In this context, alternative sources of capital allow companies to pursue their business plans without diluting their ownership, and often at interest rates lower than traditional debt. What role can corporate venture capital units, venture debt, and growth-stage financing providers to supporting startups amidst the funding winter? As valuations remain under pressure, is it the right time for these alternative investment strategies to take off?