Wavemaker Growth Grant

About this grant

Wavemaker Partners is Southeast Asia's leading early-stage venture capital firm, investing in Enterprise, Deep Tech, and Sustainability startups. The firm backs undervalued companies with innovative solutions to meaningful problems in the region, with a portfolio of over 200 companies and approximately US$500 million in total assets under management. Wavemaker focuses on founders with unique industry or technology insights who are building scalable, defensible businesses that drive lasting positive change in their communities. The firm invests across sectors including B2B commerce, fintech, cybersecurity, proptech, climate tech, and deep tech. Investment stages typically include Seed and Series A rounds, with the firm positioning itself as a long-term partner that provides seasoned perspective, a vast trusted network, and patient capital to see ventures through to realising their potential. Wavemaker's sustainability mandate is notable: 94% of its active portfolio contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The firm has received five industry awards and has backed companies that have achieved significant exits, including acquisitions by Intuit, LVMH/Sephora, and 8x8. Notable portfolio companies include Growsari (Philippines B2B commerce), ChemT Biotechnology (AI-driven biomanufacturing), DataMasque (data de-identification), Featherless.ai (open-source AI), and Aonic (drone technology).

Eligibility

Applicants must be early-stage startups, typically seeking Seed or Series A funding. The firm focuses on companies operating in or relevant to Southeast Asia, though portfolio companies from Australia and New Zealand are also represented. Target sectors include Enterprise software, Deep Tech, and Sustainability. Founders are expected to possess unique industry or technology insights and demonstrate authenticity, bold impact-driven thinking, curiosity, and resilience. The firm seeks companies building scalable and defensible businesses with meaningful positive impact.

How it's scored

Wavemaker evaluates founders and companies based on the quality and uniqueness of the founder's industry or technology insight, the scalability and defensibility of the business model, the potential for meaningful positive impact in the region, and alignment with the firm's thesis around Enterprise, Deep Tech, and Sustainability. The firm emphasises authentic and trustworthy founders who are bold and impact-driven, ever-curious and insightful, and action-oriented and resilient. Contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals is also considered.

Key requirements

• ✓Company must be growth-stage / later-stage (Series B+)
• ✓Active operations and scaling in Southeast Asia
• ✓Climate or sustainability focus (inferred from funder mission)

Recent past awardees

Knowing who's won the last rounds tells you whether you're in the strike zone.

• ChemT Biotechnology · 2026 · $4M
• DataMasque · 2026 · $4M
• Featherless.ai · 2026 · $20M
• Aonic · 2026 · $10M
• Growsari · 2017 · $110M
• Wavecell · 2015 · $125M
• TradeGecko · 2012 · $80M
• Luxola · 2012

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Wavemaker Growth?

Eligibility covers organisations in SE-ASIA; startup, sme. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.