Singapore's Golden Equator secures $18 million in strategic investment

Singapore’s Golden Equator Group has secured upwards of $18 million in a strategic investment round led by Japanese tech entrepreneur Taizo Son.

Established as an umbrella for a ‘synergistic network’ of companies providing wealth management, consultancy and tech innovation services, Singapore’s Golden Equator Group has reached a major milestone with the injection of $18.1 million in strategic investment. Led by noted Japanese tech entrepreneur Taizo Son, the round attracted investors from as far afield as the UAE and Qatar.

Further spread across Singapore, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Brunei and Taiwan, other investors in addition to Mistletoe founder Son are said to include members of royal families, chairmen at large multinationals, and C-level executives from sovereign wealth funds – with a second round on the cards in the coming 18 to 24 months, next time targeting institutional investors beyond the initial strategy to focus on angel investors.

“These angels are experienced leaders and investors who can understand a vision, see the big picture, and recognise what the future needs” said Golden Equator founder and Group CEO Shirley Crystal Chua. “Their strategic investment demonstrates that they understand the importance of and support our ecosystem-building efforts. By connecting the different communities in the region, we want to harness the synergy that will enable us to bring about changes that are relevant for the future together.”Initially established by Chua as an independent wealth management business, Golden Equator has since evolved into an integrated business and transformational ecosystem with a number of entities, including; Asia Finance, a fintech solution platform for personal finance management; community-driven shared workspace SPECTRUM; and the digital and tech-focused business consultancy Golden Equator Consulting.

Launched in 2014 – and led by co-founder and executive director Jeremy Ong – Golden Equator Consulting serves clients through a range of strategy, transformation, and growth offerings, with lines in digital consulting, operations, market entry & research, tech & innovation, omni-channel strategy, and marketing & creative and  a client roster to date including Singapore digital payments platform MC Payment.

“Our objectives are closely aligned with Golden Equator’s in building the regional business ecosystem,” said Son, who has served as a special advisor to the firm since last year. “The Group has created a unique set of elements with strong synergies, under the leadership of Shirley. She is a visionary and a great change-maker in the financial and technology sector, who has invested in and contributed significantly to the growth of the innovation culture in the region.”

With offices in Singapore, Cambodia and Taiwan, Golden Equator currently serves clients in 12 countries. Chua concluded; “Together with Taizo and the rest of the investors, we have an exceptional network of influential leaders in the region, which puts us in a unique position to ensure effective and successful ecosystem building. We have always believed in investing in the future and are glad to share this vision as we create solutions focused on social change that will benefit the future generation.”