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§ Venture Capital · Singapore, Singapore
Early-stage venture capital firm investing in seed-stage fintech and tech infrastructure startups across Southeast Asia.
Key people at 1982 Ventures.
1982 Ventures was founded in 2019 by Herston Powers (Co-Founder and Managing Partner).
1982 Ventures is a Singapore-based early-stage venture capital firm that invests in seed and pre-seed financial technology and tech infrastructure startups across Southeast Asia. The firm focuses on sub-sectors such as payments, lending, insurtech, and embedded finance platforms in core markets like Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. In May 2022, the organization closed its oversubscribed inaugural seed fund at $20 million, surpassing its initial $15 million target. The firm manages a portfolio of over 40 early-stage companies and raises capital from limited partners including family offices, tech executives, and institutional backers like Carta. Its active portfolio includes regional fintech startups such as Wagely, Bluesheets, Brick, and Infina, with Wagely notably raising a $23 million funding round in early 2024. 1982 Ventures was founded in 2020 by Herston Elton Powers and Scott Krivokopich.
1982 Ventures is a Singapore-based venture capital firm dedicated to investing in early-stage fintech startups across Southeast Asia. Their mission is to accelerate the region’s financial inclusion and digital transformation by backing founders who are building the infrastructure for the next generation of financial services. With a laser focus on fintech, 1982 Ventures positions itself as a pure-play investor, bringing deep sector expertise, local networks, and hands-on support to help startups scale. Their investment philosophy centers on being “first money in,” often leading seed rounds and providing founders with strategic guidance, access to co-investors, and introductions to key stakeholders. By concentrating on fintech, 1982 Ventures has become a critical catalyst in the region’s startup ecosystem, helping to bridge the gap in access to capital and expertise for underserved markets.
Founded in Singapore, 1982 Ventures emerged at a time when Southeast Asia’s fintech sector was rapidly gaining momentum, yet lacked dedicated early-stage investors with deep regional and sectoral knowledge. The firm was established by a team of experienced venture capitalists and fintech professionals who recognized both the massive unmet demand for financial services in the region and the unique opportunity to shape the future of finance. Over the years, 1982 Ventures has evolved from a niche player to the most active fintech investor in Southeast Asia, building a reputation for being founders’ first port of call and a trusted partner for both startups and global institutions. Their early focus on fintech, combined with on-the-ground presence and a commitment to founder support, has allowed them to cultivate a robust network and a track record of successful investments.
1982 Ventures is riding the wave of Southeast Asia’s fintech revolution, a trend fueled by rapid digital adoption, a young and tech-savvy population, and a significant portion of the region’s population still underserved by traditional financial services. The timing is critical: as the digital economy expands, fintech is becoming the backbone of economic growth, enabling everything from SME lending to digital payments and financial inclusion. 1982 Ventures’ focus on early-stage startups allows them to shape the trajectory of the sector, fostering innovation and helping to close the gap in financial access. Their influence extends beyond individual companies, as they help set standards for fintech investment and support the broader ecosystem through partnerships, thought leadership, and active community engagement.
Looking ahead, 1982 Ventures is well-positioned to continue leading the charge in Southeast Asia’s fintech space. As the region’s digital economy matures, the demand for innovative financial solutions will only grow, and 1982 Ventures’ deep expertise and network will remain a key advantage. The firm is likely to expand its portfolio into adjacent sectors such as AI-driven financial services and enterprise fintech, while maintaining its core focus on early-stage startups. Their influence will increasingly shape the region’s fintech landscape, driving both innovation and inclusion. For founders and investors alike, 1982 Ventures represents not just a source of capital, but a strategic partner in building the future of finance in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.
1982 Ventures was founded in 2019 by Herston Powers (Co-Founder and Managing Partner).
Key people at 1982 Ventures.
1982 Ventures has more than 26 tracked investments across 22 companies. The latest tracked deal is $2.0M Seed in Credibur in July 2025.
