Thailand: Krungthai Bank launches SME private equity trust fund

By Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

July 25, 2016

Krungthai Bank in collaboration with the Stock Exchange of Thailand and National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) has set up an SMEs Private Equity Trust Fund worth 2.3-billion-baht ($65.6 million) to accelerate the growth of small and medium enterprises and startups.

Of the total, two billion baht will come from Krungthai Bank, 200 million baht from the stock exchange and the remaining 100 million baht from NSTDA.

The trust plans to invest in three groups – high growth startups, technology based SMEs and large-sized suppliers – that drive the country’s economic growth.

“We would like to make Thai companies healthier and helping them to grow and eventually raise funding from the stock market, in the future,” Kesara Manchusree, President of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, said.

Apart from the financing, the fund will also provide the chosen companies financial advisory services, investment consultancy and pre-listing management for those who plan to list on the stock market.

In addition, NSTDA will provide other incentives such as tax exemption for research and development-based or technology-based businesses.

Krungthai Asset Management and One Asset Management are the trust’s managers.

Also read:

Thai govt agency NSTDA to inject $1.43m into 50 startups this year

Exclusive: Thai advisory Asset Pro Management to launch $100m PE fund to invest in pre-IPO firms

Venture funding into fledgling Thai startup ecosystem crosses $100m

Thailand: Siam Commercial Bank sets up $50m fund to invest in fintech startups

Singapore Reporter/s

In Singapore, we are looking to double our reporting team by this year-end to comprehensively cover the fast-moving world of funded startups and VC, PE & M&A deals. We want reporters who can tell our readers what is really happening in these sectors and why it matters to markets, companies and consumers. The ability to write precisely and urgently is crucial for these roles. Ideal candidates must have to ability to work in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-changing environment. We want our new hires to be digitally savvy and ready to experiment with new forms of storytelling. Most importantly, we are looking for hard-hitting reporters who work well in a team. Collaboration and collegiality are a must.

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).   

  • A reporter to track companies/startups that have raised private capital, and have the potential to become unicorns. SEA currently has over 40 companies with a valuation of over $100 million and under $1 billion.
  • A reporter who can get behind the scenes and reveal how funding rounds are put together, or why they’ve failed to materialise. She/he in this role will largely focus on long-format stories. 
  • A journalist to track special situations funds, distressed debt and private credit (from the PE angle) across Asia.
APPLY NOW

Singapore Reporter/s

In Singapore, we are looking to double our reporting team by this year-end to comprehensively cover the fast-moving world of funded startups and VC, PE & M&A deals. We want reporters who can tell our readers what is really happening in these sectors and why it matters to markets, companies and consumers. The ability to write precisely and urgently is crucial for these roles. Ideal candidates must have to ability to work in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-changing environment. We want our new hires to be digitally savvy and ready to experiment with new forms of storytelling. Most importantly, we are looking for hard-hitting reporters who work well in a team. Collaboration and collegiality are a must.

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).   

  • A reporter to track companies/startups that have raised private capital, and have the potential to become unicorns. SEA currently has over 40 companies with a valuation of over $100 million and under $1 billion.
  • A reporter who can get behind the scenes and reveal how funding rounds are put together, or why they’ve failed to materialise. She/he in this role will largely focus on long-format stories. 
  • A journalist to track special situations funds, distressed debt and private credit (from the PE angle) across Asia.
APPLY NOW