Oil, Energy, and Southeast Asia’s Turning Point
Featured Article
The Chinese word for crisis, 危机 (wēijī), is often translated in Western business writing as “danger plus opportunity.” It is a compelling interpretation, but not exactly accurate. While 危 points to danger, 机 is better understood as a turning point - a critical moment where conditions shift and decisions matter.
That distinction is useful when we think about where Southeast Asia is today.
LP Perspective
Jamie Choi, CEO at Tara Climate Foundation
How should LPs think about Southeast Asia’s energy transition?
“Energy transition is one of the biggest challenges of our time, but it’s also one of the biggest opportunities if we get this right…
Asia’s energy transition is already unfolding across the region - from farms and fishing communities to classrooms and workshops. When funders can align on what is at stake, we can direct capital where it is needed most, accelerating a transition that is faster and fairer for the communities facing today’s energy crisis because empowering resilient communities is how we drive real, lasting growth across the region.”
Fund Managers to Watch
Meet the teams that are behind Southeast Asia's energy solutions and innovations
Clime Capital manages SEACEF, a clean energy platform providing catalytic development capital to early-stage renewable energy, energy efficiency, electric mobility and grid-related businesses across Southeast Asia. In 2025, SEACEF II reached its maximum capitalisation of US$175 million, bringing together philanthropic, DFI, multilateral and private-sector capital to accelerate the region’s low-carbon transition.
100x100 Ventures (fka Wavemaker Impact) is Southeast Asia’s first VC climate tech venture builder. Spun off from Wavemaker Partners, the firm co-founds sustainability startups with a goal to mitigate 10% of the global carbon budget by 2035. Under its strict "100x100" criteria, it exclusively backs companies with the potential to abate 100 million metric tons of CO2 emissions while achieving $100 million in revenue.
TRIREC is a pioneer decarbonization VC firm established in 2015. Managing over US$150 million in AUM, the firm targets early-stage sustainability startups in Asia. TRIREC bridges eastern and western green-tech ecosystems to back generation-defining businesses, boasting a global portfolio of over 20 companies that includes three sustainability-focused unicorns.
Insights
RESEARCH
The State of Southeast Asia 2026
ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute
April 2026
A definitive annual regional barometer, this flagship report highlights why macro-resilience has jumped to the top of Southeast Asia’s economic agenda. The findings capture a dramatic spike in regional anxiety regarding supply chain disruptions, energy security, and severe climate threats. For private market investors, the data explicitly demonstrates that economic vulnerability is no longer a localized issue, but a systemic macro risk weighing heavily on regional growth profiles.
RESEARCH
World Energy Investment 2026
U.S. International Energy Agency
June 2026
The IEA’s World Energy Investment 2026 report includes a dedicated Southeast Asia outlook, highlighting how investment is moving across the region’s energy sectors — from renewables and grids to storage and end-use electrification. Key indicators point to rising electricity demand, record energy investment and growing capital needs for grid expansion, reinforcing Southeast Asia’s position as an increasingly important market for energy infrastructure and transition-related investment.
Investing in Women Awards to transition to SVCA Annual Awards!
We are pleased to share that the Investing in Women Awards will transition to the Singapore Venture & Private Capital Association (SVCA) going forward, as part of the SVCA Annual Gala & Awards Dinner.
This marks an exciting next chapter for the Awards. What began as an effort to recognise LP leadership in gender-smart investing will now be embedded within one of the region’s leading private capital platforms, helping bring greater visibility to the role that LPs can play in strengthening the ecosystem for women-led and gender-diverse fund managers.
As part of the 2026 SVCA Annual Gala and Awards Dinner, SVCA will introduce a new category: Gender Smart LP of the Year. The award celebrates LPs that strategically demonstrate leadership in gender-inclusive investing. It seeks to amplify their impact, inspire broader investment into women-led and gender-diverse funds, and strengthen the investment ecosystem for diverse fund managers. The award will be assessed based on both quantitative and qualitative criteria, including demonstrated capital mobilised into women-led or gender-balanced funds, as well as clear intentionality around gender inclusion.
Winners will be announced live at the 2026 SVCA Annual Gala & Awards Dinner, taking place on 30 September 2026 at the Singapore Sands Expo & Convention Centre. The event is expected to bring together more than 400 senior leaders from the venture and private capital ecosystem.
Nominations for the 2026 SVCA Annual Awards are now open here.
Announcement
Upcoming Events
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August 27-28, 2026, Singapore
GPCA and Investing in Women will be hosting a full-day investor training in Singapore on Friday, 28 August, focused on how gender-informed decision-making can support stronger funds and better investment outcomes across Southeast Asia. The session will be hands-on and practitioner-led, with participants working through real case studies that link gender integration to commercial results. A networking reception will also be held the evening before, offering participants an opportunity to connect informally ahead of the training. Interested participants may reach out to asia@GPCapital.org for more information.
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September 23-24, 2026, Singapore
DealStreetAsia’s flagship Asia PE-VC Summit returns to Singapore, bringing together senior LPs, GPs, founders, family offices, and private capital leaders across the region. The 2026 edition is expected to convene a highly curated audience, with DealStreetAsia noting that its summits attract over 1,000 active LPs and asset allocators from Asia, the US, the Middle East, and Europe. The Summit is especially relevant for investors tracking Southeast Asia’s private markets, venture fundraising, exits, and cross-border capital flows. Save the date and register here.
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September 28, 2026, Singapore
Carta’s LP/GP Summit is a closed-door annual gathering for limited partners and general partners across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. The event is positioned around data-driven discussions on fund performance, private markets trends, LP perspectives, and networking with regional industry leaders. Register your interest here.
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September 28 - October 1 2026, Singapore
SuperReturn Asia is one of Asia’s major private capital gatherings, convening LPs, GPs, and private markets leaders across private equity, venture capital, private credit, infrastructure, and private wealth. The 2026 programme includes a specialist summit day on 28 September, with dedicated tracks on LP/GP relations and fundraising, private credit, AI and deep tech, venture capital, energy and infrastructure, and private wealth. Secure your tickets here.
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This publication has been funded by the Australian Government through the Investing in Women initiative. The views expressed in this publication are the author's alone and are not necessarily the views of the Australian Government.