From Grab to Carsome, How 500 Global’s Khailee Ng Finds and Funds Startups

Last month, 500 Global announced the successful close of US$143 million (RM668.2 million) for its largest Southeast Asian early-stage fund to date, 500 Southeast Asia III (500 SEA III), as well as its growth investment vehicle for Southeast Asia.

500 Global also recently released their ‘500 Global Rise Report,’ which highlights four narratives on the next decade of global technology to keep an eye on, and potentially tap into.

To explore future trends to keep an eye on in the decade ahead and how 500 Global will be deploying its recently raised US$143 million in Southeast Asia, we speak to Khailee Ng, a managing partner at 500 Global. Khailee is also the Co-Founder and former CEO of SAYS.com.

500 Global has a global portfolio spanning over 2,800 companies across more than 80 countries and over the past decade, 500 Global has backed more than 340 companies across Southeast Asia. Some of their previous investments in Southeast Asia include checks ranging from US$5 million to US$20 million in Series C to D rounds of portfolio companies such as Carousell (2018), Carsome (2021), and most recently eFishery (2023).