Unicorn startups are pretty rare up to two, three years ago. But now, the number of unicorns add up around 80-100 each year, according to Ismitz Matthew de Alwis. Alwis is the CEO of Malaysia’s Kenanga Investors.
To attain the title of unicorn, a startup must have $1 bilion valuation with a near. But most of younger unicorn has no intention on getting public immediately. This makes it harder for investors to tap into the private unicorns. Therefore Kenanga Investors is making a move.
About Kenanga Investors’ KGU1
The investment firm is launching Kenanga Global Unicorn 1 (KGU1). KGU 1 is an investment firm with focus on the unicorn startups. It targets superior medium term returns by the investment. And the firms started by being a feeder fund for the Ericsenz-K2 Global Unicorn Fund.
It involves two VC firms, Ericsenz and K2 Global. Ericsenz is a Singaporean based venture capital and private equity. While K2 Global is a Silicon Valley venture capital.
Ericsenz focuses on the high growth middle-market companies. Mostly companies involved in technology, healthcare, consumer and energy industry. Meanwhile K2 works as a strategic advisor. It has a wide access to the late-stage private technology companies located in upcoming tech hubs
Alwis stated that KGU1 is the first o its kind in its home country, Malaysia. The firm offers exclusive access for clients to invest on the unicorns. Something which used to be nearly impossible.
It offers the chance of investing in startups at the early stage of growth. Allowing them to watch it grows bigger directly. It targets on sophisticated investor of both medium and long-term investment horizons.
Clients can invest in both Malaysian ringgit and US dollar. The investment started from MYR 100.000 or $25.000. Yet it does not reveal any targeted fund size.
Kenanga Investor itself is a subsidiary of Malaysia’s largest investment bank, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (KIBB). It has hold on the country’s first online equities broker, Rakuten Trade. The trade is a joint venture between the bank and Japanese Rakuten Group.
