Scale Asia Ventures (SAV) Founding Partner on Silicon Valley AI Investment Trends and Corporate LP Expansion at AVCJ Private Equity Forum 2024

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Scale Asia Ventures (SAV) Founding Partner on Silicon Valley AI Investment Trends and Corporate LP Expansion at AVCJ Private Equity Forum 2024

2025-03-18 04:00 Last Updated At：04:31

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 17, 2025--

Scale Asia Ventures (SAV) Founding Partner Wally Wang spoke at the AVCJ Private Equity Forum 2024, joining investment leaders from Carlyle, Warburg Pincus, Apollo, and other top global firms to discuss AI investment trends and corporate LP expansion in Asia.

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As a firm specializing in AI-native infrastructure and applications, SAV sees a fundamental shift in enterprise software—AI-native applications are replacing traditional SaaS, delivering real-time intelligence instead of static workflows. Companies like Cresta are transforming contact centers with AI-driven coaching, Solve Intelligence is revolutionizing legal and knowledge work, and VISO Trust is redefining IT security with autonomous risk assessments. Unlike traditional SaaS, these AI-native platforms continuously improve, capturing more value through service-based and performance-driven models.

The Rise of Open-Source AI and Its Impact on AI-Native Applications

The emergence of DeepSeek and other open-source AI models is challenging closed-source players like OpenAI, driving lower costs and better performance for AI-native applications. As enterprises in Asia seek localized, cost-efficient AI solutions, open-source advancements will accelerate adoption, allowing AI-native companies to scale faster and capture greater value in the region.

Driving Silicon Valley AI Adoption Through Corporate Partnerships in APAC

Beyond capital, SAV actively connects AI companies with major corporate customers across financial services, telecom, healthcare, and manufacturing in Asia. The firm has introduced AI infrastructure companies like VAST Data, Weaviate, CAST AI, Fiddler AI, and Lightrun to enterprises scaling AI workloads, while Cresta has expanded into contact center operations and Subtle Medical is partnering with healthcare providers to enhance imaging efficiency in Asia.

To further enhance its portfolio companies’ expansion, SAV has built strong corporate alliances across Asia, including Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. In Japan, the firm works closely with ITOCHU Corporation, KDDI, Fujitsu, and SBI Holdings to provide strategic market access and operational support. In Korea, Bespin Global, NH Securities, Shinsegae, SK, LG, Naver, and Kakao are key partners in accelerating AI adoption within the region. Additionally, in Southeast Asia, SAV collaborates with major partners such as Singapore GovTech, DBS Bank and Genting Group to extend its portfolio companies’ reach into fast-growing markets.

Expanding Strategic Corporate LP Networks across Asia

Beyond market entry, SAV continues to broaden its corporate and LP networks, positioning itself as the key bridge between Silicon Valley’s AI innovation and Asia’s enterprise sector. With a growing base of institutional investors, family offices, and corporate venture arms, SAV ensures that AI-first companies not only receive financial backing but also gain direct access to Asia industry leaders that are actively seeking out cutting-edge AI solutions.

“The shift from traditional SaaS to AI-native applications is already underway, and Asia represents one of the most significant adoption opportunities,” said Wally Wang. “SAV remains committed to identifying and scaling AI-driven companies by leveraging its deep corporate and LP network, ensuring these businesses gain the strategic partnerships needed to dominate their respective markets.”

About SAV (Scale Asia Ventures)

SAV (Scale Asia Ventures) is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm with a $30M inaugural early-stage fund dedicated to supporting enterprise-focused companies worldwide. Beyond early-stage funding, SAV is committed to strengthening its portfolios with an additional $100M in later-stage funding, drawing from its robust Limited Partner base.

The fund's backers include institutional funds, prominent family offices, and publicly-traded conglomerates in the United States, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. SAV provides its portfolios with expertise in both U.S. and Asia markets and a unique global network of strategic corporate partners.

Texas wildfire prompts evacuations as Arkansas and Florida also battle blazes

2025-03-21 04:32 Last Updated At：04:40

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Wildfires fueled by dry conditions and gusting winds burned in a few Southern states Thursday, forcing evacuations in Texas and prompting Florida officials to close part of a major highway with spring break in high gear.

A wildfire in Sam Houston National Forest near Houston prompted the evacuation of about 900 homes and closed schools. The National Weather Service issued elevated fire warnings around the nation’s fourth-largest city.

The fire, which started Wednesday, had burned about 3.7 square miles (9.6 square kilometers) and was only about 20% contained Thursday afternoon as firefighters used water-carrying helicopters to douse hot spots and bulldozers to dig containment lines, the Texas A&M Forest Service said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or property damage, but the Cleveland Independent School District, which has about 12,000 students, canceled classes as a precaution.

Firefighters and law enforcement “did an such unbelievable job yesterday in protecting homes, animals, livestock and people. We’ve lost basically nothing, which is hard to believe,” the county’s top elected official, Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough, said.

However, he said, expected wind gusts Thursday along with a drop in humidity could make the situation disastrous.

"We’re asking the people who evacuated last night to stay still away from their homes,” Keough said.

In the Florida Keys, a large brush fire that began Tuesday caused authorities to close the two roads leading in and out of the island chain, because of smoky conditions and to allow firefighters to move equipment.

Officials said the fire had burned about 34 square miles (88 square kilometers) and was about 20% contained.

Spring break is in full swing in Florida, and officials said U.S. 1, the major thoroughfare that connects the mainland to the islands, was expected to have intermittent closures in the coming days. It is also a heavily traveled road for people who live on the mainland and work at many of the hotels and restaurants in Key Largo and beyond.

In Arkansas, crews responded to nearly than 100 fires Wednesday that were fueled by high winds and were dealing with five new ones Thursday.

The fires closed several highways, including a portion of Interstate 530 southeast of Little Rock due to heavy smoke.

Flames damaged structures in several cities, including Little Rock. The roof collapsed at St. Joseph’s, a 115-year-old building in North Little Rock that once served as an orphanage and is now the home of a nonprofit that provides urban farming resources.

The South has experienced recent cold and dry conditions, followed by gusting winds, that have fanned the flames.

Texas has seen fire hazards range from the far northern Panhandle, where ground vegetation froze and dried out, and push hundreds of miles east to the coast.

South Florida has seen every little rainfall over the past few weeks. The rainy season doesn't start until sometime around mid-May. Another cold front with dry air is expected to push through South Florida on Thursday night, said meteorologist Donal Harrigan with the National Weather Service in Miami.

The weather service issued Red Flag warnings for fire conditions in east Texas and South Florida and could extend them for several days.

Red flag warnings are issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are ripe for fires. In southeast Texas, weather service officials predicted wind gusts of 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hour), combined with humidity as low as 18%. That combination will continue to dry out vegetation.

Frisaro reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and DeMillo reported from Little Rock, Arkansas.