With a strong reputation assisting start-ups in notable industries such as technology, fintech and life sciences, the team at Cooley LLP covers the entire life cycle of startups, handling financings at all levels. Matthew Bartus and Peter Werner sit as global co-heads, with local partner Ferish Patel providing guidance for companies and investors across the wider ASEAN market. Andrew Harline continues to assist clients with financings, M&A and various other transactions. David He joined the firm from Gunderson Dettmer LLP in September 2025.

With a client base of founders, entrepreneurs, accelerators and incubators, the team at Dentons Rodyk advises at all stages of investment from seed-stage to advanced stages such as Series E & F, trade sales, MBOs, IPOs, and SPACs. The team is also well regarded for its cross-jurisdictional capabilities. Sunil Rai leads the team and often acts in transactions involving emerging entities in the region, as well as inbound and outbound Indian transactions, while Ray Chiang represents start-ups, venture capital funds and corporate venture arms in venture deals, notably in climate tech. Li Chuan Hsu actively advises on fund-raising projects from start-up to pre-IPO, IPO and post-IPO.

The team at Gunderson Dettmer LLP advises clients operating in a wide spectrum of technology sectors, including cybersecurity, HR tech and fintech. Jonathan Pentzien is well regarded for his work advising venture capital funds and innovative emerging technology companies in Southeast Asia and India. Benjamin Teo represents both investors and companies in the technology and life sciences sectors focusing on venture capital and growth equity financings.

The team at A&O Shearman is sought out for its cross-border investment capabilities, venture capital investments and company-side fundraisings. The team advises both start-up and emerging companies on their fundraisings, capital raises, transactions and exits, and advises investors on their strategic investments. Practice head Tom Jokelson advises on venture, growth capital and private equity transactions for investors, such as leading banks, sponsors and sovereign funds; and for issuing companies, with a particular focus on tech, digital infrastructure, consumer and financial services.

Regularly handling multi-jurisdictional transactions, the Bird & Bird ATMD LLP team supports inbound and outbound investments for a client base includes multinationals, financial institutions, private equity firms, and government-linked entities. Notably, the firm advises on a wide range of transactions from M&A, joint ventures, privatisations and venture capital investments. Marcus Chow leads the team. Jolie Giouw‘s experience in corporate finance ranges from advising both corporates and investors on early-stage venture capital investments to private placements, initial public offerings and secondary offerings. Chelsea Chan is a key individual.

Advising across industries including tech, digital assets, and life sciences, CMS acts for a diverse clientele which includes emerging companies and start-ups. The group handles matters relating to venture capital and debt on a cross-jurisdictional basis. Toby Grainger leads the team, advising on the full spectrum of startup and emerging company transactions — from pre-seed and bootstrapped rounds through to late-stage and pre-IPO financings. Gerald Licnachan is noted for his particular focus on  growth capital transactions, venture capital and investment platforms.

Acting for both startups and emerging growth companies as well as a full spectrum of investors, the team at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP is distinguished for its track record in equity fundraising, collaborations and joint ventures and IPOs. Victor Chiew leads the team, handling a range of cross-border financing matters.

The team at Latham & Watkins LLP assists start-ups at all stages of their lifecycle, and has a wide range of expertise, covering a range of issues from smaller Series A financings to larger transactions for both lenders and businesses. Amy Beckingham splits her time between Hong Kong and Singapore, advising sponsors and emerging companies on venture capital financings. Beckingham co-leads the team alongside James Clayton-Payne and Farhana Sharmeen. Clayton-Payne advises a range of start-ups, VC investors and corporate venture capital vehicles in all rounds of fundraising, from seed to Series F+ and through to exit while Sharmeen is active for start-ups and more established corporates, on international investments, and international clients on transactions with a Singapore component at every stage of the corporate life-cycle. Marcus Lee has particular experience representing private equity firms in matters involving the infrastructure and energy sectors.

Pinsent Masons MPillay has a strong focus on young companies in the fintech and medtech sectors, allowing for the team to guide clients along their growth to the financing and fundraising stage, and to ultimately advise them on their listing of choice. Additionally, the team is also active in the foodtech and aviation sectors. Co-head Nicholas Hanna acts for numerous corporate clients in Southeast Asia in both acquisitions and disposals, and has expertise in a broad range of industries including technology, media and life sciences. Mark Tan, who leads alongside Hanna, has a multifaceted corporate practice, honing in on key areas such as M&A, joint ventures and corporate finance.

Ashurst ADTLaw actively advises corporates in their emerging company investments and has supported a wide range of startups across the entire spectrum of matters, including equity financing, debt financing, acquisitions, divestments and restructuring. Tao Koon Chiam and Xiaozheng Ko jointly lead the team, with the latter being a particularly adept at advising both start-up founders and funds with venture capital mandates. Michelle Phang has significant experience handling matters concerning the digital economy and healthcare.

Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow represents clients on a vast range of matters, including downstream investments, financings, joint ventures and fund formation. Lip Kian Ang advises clients on cross-border private equity, venture capital, and investment fund transactions while Stephanie Magnus assists startups and emerging companies in the financial services sector in relation to regulatory issues, as well as financing transactions. Kelvin Poa advises on matters related to investments in funds focused on innovative areas such as blockchain, digital asset banking and educational technology. Ang, Magnus, and Poa jointly lead the team.

Reed Smith LLP stands out for its cross-border capabilities and venture capital investment advice.

The team at Sidley Austin LLP has a strong track record in providing regulatory advice to start-ups, emerging companies, and other clients who are investing in, developing, implementing, and bringing to market new financial technologies, platforms, products, and services. Practice head Parthiv Rishi primarily focuses on acting for financial sponsor investors, and is increasingly active for founders and emerging companies on their fundraising rounds, regulatory requirements, and high-value founder and C-Suite employment arrangements. Eldon Chan is well-regarded for his representation of U.S.-based investors seeking to deploy capital in Southeast Asia and founders looking to raise capital from U.S.-based investors.

Simmons & Simmons is known for advising large venture capital and investment funds on global investment transactions, navigating numerous early to late-stage financing rounds and follow-on rounds. Co-head Dax Lim has significant experience in advising investment funds on structuring, formation and global investment transactions. Lim also works extensively with venture backed technology companies throughout their lifecycles, advising them on debt and equity financing, strategic partnerships and regulatory and commercial matters. Yingyu Wang is a stand-out name amongst web3 and technology heavy funds, founders, and start-ups. Amanda Loh specialises in the representation of leading venture capital funds on their debt and equity investments.