HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Sept. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NextBold Capital, a private equity firm focused on supporting the growth of small and medium enterprises in Southeast Asia, is being recognized as a key Emerging Manager for Asia Pacific at SuperReturn Asia 2024. The firm is raising its first fund to invest in SMEs across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos — three fast-growing markets ripe for development.
NextBold Capital was co-founded by Sjoerd Zwinkels, former Investment Director at Mekong Capital, alongside Quadrant-backed Fitness & Lifestyle Group former executives Pedro Baliza and Jonas Wilbert, who bring extensive operational and investment experience. The firm aims to provide not just capital but hands-on operational expertise to help businesses in these markets scale sustainably.
A Different Approach: Operational Private Equity
NextBold Capital stands out for its "Operational Investing" approach: the firm actively works on-the-ground with portfolio companies to implement governance, drive revenue growth, and improve operational efficiency. NextBold's management team has spent the last decade balancing investing with hands-on operational roles in some of Indochina's most successful businesses.
"We're not just investors; we're partners on the ground," said Pedro Baliza, Managing Partner of NextBold Capital. "We get involved at an execution level, helping companies address their toughest challenges and unlock their full potential."
Indochina Focus, Regional Ambition
NextBold Capital's strategy encompasses targeting SMEs in key urban centers across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos — markets experiencing rapid growth due to a rising middle class, strong entrepreneurial cultures, and increased foreign investment. The firm focuses on sectors like education, healthcare, consumer goods, and services, where they see opportunities for governance transformation and value creation.
"These markets are still underserved by global investors, particularly in the SME space. We see enormous potential for value creation by bringing in the right mix of capital and operational support," said Sjoerd Zwinkels, Managing Partner.
$100M Fundraising to Drive Growth
NextBold Capital's inaugural $100 million fund, designed to fuel growth for SMEs across Southeast Asia, has seen its fundraising efforts ramp up mid this year. Its unique positioning has granted the firm a flurry of interest from investors, and now an early recognition in the form of shortlisting as a "must-watch" Emerging Private Equity Manager for APAC at SuperReturn Asia 2024, one of the World's leading private equity and venture capital conferences.
With several family offices already committed, the fund has started mapping the market in a number of sectors including education and healthcare, with pre-funding deals already in motion.
"We're incredibly excited about the deals we've already lined up. Our early investments are targeting companies with strong business fundamentals in fast-growing markets, where we see clear potential for sector dominance with the right operational support," said Pedro Baliza, Managing Partner. "We're seeing great momentum from family offices and other co-investors, and are ready to capitalize on the immense growth opportunities ahead."
About NextBold Capital
NextBold Capital is a private equity firm based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with a focus on growing SMEs across Southeast Asia through both capital investment and operational support.
The firm's $100 million inaugural fund will invest in businesses across education, healthcare, consumer goods, technology, and agribusiness in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. By providing on-the-ground expertise and fostering sustainable growth, NextBold Capital aims to elevate businesses to global competitiveness.
Contact:
Pedro Baliza
Managing Partner
NextBold Capital
Email: ir@nextboldcap.com
Website: www.nextboldcap.com
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
NextBold Capital Eyes $100M Fund to Back SMEs in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos
SHANGHAI, Nov. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Art Shanghai 2024 has opened on November 7th at Hall A of the West Bund. The prestigious event, orchestrated by the Publicity Department of the CPC Shanghai Committee and co-hosted by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism and several district governments, runs through November 11th, with the support of several local organizations including the West Bund Group.
Themed "Global Art in Shanghai", Art Shanghai aims to fuse culture with tourism to spur economic growth and enhance visitor experiences, positioning Shanghai as a quintessential international art nexus. The schedule features over 100 events, including major art fairs, auctions, the Enjoy Shanghai Art Season, and the Shanghai Dialogue—establishing a global, professional, and multifaceted platform for the arts.
Global Art Meets Local Culture
Art Shanghai 2024 is a testament to the city's growing importance in the international art scene, displaying nearly 10,000 artworks at various fairs, including West Bund Art & Design, ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair, 2024 Shanghai Young Art Fair & National Youth Art Invitation Exhibition, The third YIT Online Arts and Design Fair, and Shanghai International Art Book Fair. These gatherings attract a global audience of collectors and institutions, emphasizing Shanghai's role in the art market.
Merging Artistic and Economic Frontiers
The event's innovative blend of art, fashion, commerce, and tourism aims to invigorate the local economy. The program includes the 2024 T&ARTCON × FISE World Series – Shanghai at Art West Bund, and the Art on the Bund series, featuring the 57 exhibitions of the 2024 Shanghai Bund International Art Festival spread across 34 venues. Art Ripples 2024 captures the historical charm of Jing'an Suhe with a variety of artistic displays, while Art Pudong revitalizes the business districts of Qiantan and Lujiazui with engaging artistic installations. Furthermore, eight areas have been identified as 2024 Art Business Districts, enhancing the interaction between culture and tourism and promoting economic activity through cultural engagement.
Digital Innovation Transforms Shanghai's Cultural Tourism Landscape
A notable aspect is the seamless integration of culture and tourism. In partnership with Xiaohongshu, the newly updated Shanghai Art Map, titled "In Shanghai, Art is a Way of Life," combines exhibitions, performances, fashion, culinary scenes, and shopping with tourism offerings. It serves both local residents and international visitors, transforming tourist engagement into a driver of significant economic activity. By utilizing digital platforms, the event enhances the city's artistic appeal, creating a vibrant interplay between digital art and cultural participation.
Art Shanghai 2024 will feature digital art prominently by hosting events like the Shanghai International Digital Music Week and Voices of Art on the Bund, along with AI-enhanced experiences such as the Art on the Bund - 2024 International Art Festival. Interactive initiatives such as The AR Art Map and AR Art Installations add depth to the offerings. The integration of digital art and cultural innovation revitalizes Shanghai's art market and offers a unique virtual-real experience, advancing the digital transformation of the cultural tourism industry. This initiative underscores Shanghai's role as a leader in the global art market, supported by cutting-edge technology.
Premium Content and Services Foster City-Wide Artistic Ambiance
The 2024 Enjoy Shanghai Art Season caters to a spectrum of cultural appetites, presenting fresh artistic education and public art encounters via initiatives like "How Night Out" and the Museum Development Conference. Coupled with endeavors such as the "Most Beautiful Poster" contest and the "Young Curator Growth Plan", it fosters a lively, city-wide artistic ambiance that encourages public engagement and enriches Shanghai's cultural landscape.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Global Art in Shanghai: The 6th Shanghai International Artwork Trade Week
