Gobi Partners: the pan-Asian VC backing founders from Kuala Lumpur to Hong Kong

Gobi Partners manages US$2 billion across 400+ startups in 18 Asian markets, with a rare track record as a bridge between China and emerging Southeast Asia. A founder-focused look at the firm's funds, thesis and partners.

The firm

Gobi Partners is one of Asia's longest-running venture capital firms. Founded in 2002 by Thomas Tsao, Lawrence Tse and Wai Kit Lau, it is dual-headquartered in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, and describes itself as a pan-Asian, early-to-growth investor. The numbers tell the story: US$2 billion in assets under management, 400+ companies backed, 76 exits through IPOs and acquisitions, and 18 locations across Asia. Gobi was one of the earliest Chinese VCs to move into Southeast Asia, setting up its first regional fund in 2010 — a head start that still shapes its reputation as a bridge between China and emerging Asia.

Thesis and sweet spot

Gobi's thesis is geographic as much as sectoral: back founders in emerging and underserved Asian markets early, then keep backing them through growth. Its current portfolio spans fintech, artificial intelligence and data, deep tech and semiconductors, mobility, commerce, health and biotech, and consumer media.

The firm has a track record of running country-specific funds with local partners. The Gobi MAVCAP ASEAN SuperSeed Fund — a US$14.5 million seed-stage vehicle launched in 2016 with Malaysia's MAVCAP — focused on e-commerce, fintech, mobile and Muslim-consumer startups. That followed a US$50 million Series A fund the pair raised in 2015. In 2020 Gobi launched the US$10 million Gobi Superseed II Fund for early-stage Malaysian startups. Its ambitions extend west too: Fatima Gobi Ventures raised a US$20 million first fund for Pakistani startups in 2019, with a planned US$50 million follow-up fund.

Notable portfolio

Gobi's portfolio includes several breakout names: Airwallex (Hong Kong cross-border fintech), Animoca Brands, GOGOX, Prenetics and WeLab among its China and Hong Kong bets, plus Carsome, Malaysia's integrated car e-commerce platform, and insurtech PolicyStreet. In Indonesia it backs digital bank Bank Saqu; in Pakistan, electronics marketplace PriceOye. Industrial-automation firm Synagistics went public on the Hong Kong exchange (HKEX: 2562). Gobi's SuperSeed vehicles in Malaysia have also backed Paywatch, pitchIN, Durioo+ and Lapasar.

People

The firm is led by co-founder and managing partner Thomas G. Tsao, alongside fellow co-founders Lawrence Tse and Wai Kit Lau. On the ground, partner Kay-Mok Ku anchors Singapore and Southeast Asia, while Jamaludin Bujang serves as managing partner for Malaysia.

Why it matters for founders

Gobi's edge for founders is its pan-Asian network: a Kuala Lumpur-based team that writes early cheques in markets many global VCs overlook, backed by Chinese and sovereign capital. If you're building in Southeast or South Asia — especially fintech, mobility or deep tech — Gobi has a fund, a partner and a local playbook waiting.