Global Brain is delighted to announce investment in Validus Investment Holdings Pte. Ltd. (Validus), the leading all-in-one SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) financing platform in Southeast Asia, through its Norinchukin Innovation Fund L.P. (NCIF). Validus provides growth financing to SMEs across Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, through its crowdfunding platform. Total lending to date exceeds USD 2 billion and has continued to grow over the past 24 months, with monthly lending volume increasing more than 5x and loan size increasing more than 3.5x. In Southeast Asia, the SME loan market covered by traditional financial institutions is still in its infancy due to the small loan size and strict credit requirement. Validus is leveraging dynamic alternative data and AI to facilitate growth financing to the underserved sector, thereby accelerating the financial inclusion of SMEs. The funds raised will be utilized to expand existing business and develop comprehensive financial services for SMEs including business accounts, corporate cards, payments, and expense management, leveraging data and networks accumulated through the lending business. Global Brain has highly recognized Validus’ experienced management team, traction in Southeast Asia, and potential to become a leading player in comprehensive financial services in the region. Through this investment, Global Brain will actively support Validus' business growth, and we look forward to partnering with them in this journey.

About Validus

Headquarters: Singapore
Co-founders: Vikas Nahata (Co-Founder and Executive Chairman)
Nikhilesh Goel (Co-Founder and Group CEO)
Founded: July 2015
URL: https://validus.sg/

About NCIF

Name: Norinchukin Innovation Fund L.P.
General Partner: Global Brain Corporation

About Global Brain

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Representative: Yasuhiko Yurimoto
Founded: January 1998
URL: https://globalbrains.com/

Global Brain has invested in Validus Investment Holdings Pte. Ltd., the leading all-in-one SME financing platform in Southeast Asia