BuildClub x Aspire - VCs Fireside: VCs Expectation for APAC startups in 2027
As we close out 2026, founders across the APAC region are looking to navigate a rapidly shifting venture capital landscape. BuildClub is bringing together an absolute powerhouse panel of top local VCs to unpack their vision, goals, and real expectations for the year ahead.
Together, we’ll dive deep into where regional capital is being deployed in 2027, how enterprise AI is reshaping investment criteria, and the precise metrics VCs will demand before writing checks. Join us as our panelists break down how to balance fast-paced expansion across Southeast Asia with the capital discipline required to build sustainable, fund-ready category leaders.
Meet Your Panelists:
Jeffrey Paine (Founding Partner @ Golden Gate Ventures): An Edmund Hillary Impact Fellow who is pioneering the intersection of venture capital and AI by building prediction models to spot the next generation of breakout startups.
Zhen Zhen Ong (Investments & Ecosystem Partnerships @ Openspace Capital): A driving force in early-stage tech with a powerhouse background across Tenity, Singtel Innov8, and the Singapore EDB, dedicated to backing high-growth AI and enterprise founders.
Chun Weng Boey (Investment Associate @ GHARAGE Ventures): Driving a newly launched €40M fund anchored by global travel retail leader Gebr. Heinemann, bridging what cutting-edge startups build with the strategic needs of global operators.
Maansi Vohra (Principal @ Monk's Hill Ventures): Bringing extensive growth-stage expertise across APAC, offering invaluable insights into the year-by-year operational scaling required to build regional category leaders.
Asad Kalimi (VP & Global Head of Partnerships & Sales @ Aspire): Active angel investor, Kopital Ventures investor, and former APAC growth leader across Twitch and Spotify, bringing a powerhouse cross-border playbook on scaling tech titans and winning VC backing in 2027.
Grab a drink, connect with top-tier builders, and let's shape the future of APAC tech together! Food and beverages will be provided upon arrival.