Two prominent players in the global fintech ecosystem, Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) Capital of Singapore and SBI Holdings of Japan, have jointly launched a US$200 million fund to back growth-stage fintech companies worldwide, with a particular focus on Asia and emerging markets.
According to the announcement, the fund will be managed by SBI Ven Capital Pte Ltd, the Singapore-based investment arm of SBI Holdings. It will target global growth-stage companies operating in areas such as digital financial infrastructure, payments, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital assets, and other emerging technologies that advance financial services.
GFTN, known for its network-driven approach connecting regulators, innovators, and investors, will contribute ecosystem access and deal origination capabilities. The firm’s venture arm, GFTN Capital, focuses on growth-equity investments that accelerate fintech innovation globally.
The partnership combines SBI’s deep experience in financial investment with GFTN’s global convening power and regulatory relationships. In a joint statement, both parties described the collaboration as a way to “unlock emerging technology opportunities and scale financial innovation across global markets.”
SBI Holdings, a long-time investor in financial technology and digital banking, said the initiative reflects its commitment to supporting fintech ecosystems that drive financial inclusion and digital transformation. GFTN added that the fund marks a “natural evolution” of its mission to connect innovation with capital and policy frameworks worldwide.
Key terms & operations
- Fund size: Targeting up to US$200 million in total commitments.
- Manager: SBI Ven Capital Pte Ltd, under the joint strategic direction of SBI Holdings and GFTN Capital.
- Focus sectors: Fintech, embedded finance, AI, cybersecurity, digital assets, and financial infrastructure.
- Geographic focus: Global, with emphasis on Asia-Pacific, Africa, and other high-growth regions.
The fund launch comes at a time when global fintech investment is rebounding after a period of contraction across early-stage deals. Analysts note that growth-stage fintechs particularly those with proven business models in markets such as Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East are increasingly attracting institutional attention.
Singapore continues to consolidate its position as a regional fintech capital, while Japan’s SBI Holdings has been expanding its international reach through investments in digital finance and blockchain-driven solutions.
For founders and fintech operators, the fund offers more than capital: it provides access to strategic partnerships, regulatory ecosystems, and institutional networks across Asia and beyond. It also signals a rising wave of collaboration between traditional financial institutions and technology-driven platforms aiming to modernise the global financial landscape.
SBI Holdings and GFTN Capital said details on the fund’s first close, target portfolio mix, and investment timelines will be announced in the coming months. The initiative reinforces a growing trend of cross-border funds positioning Asia at the heart of the next decade of fintech innovation.
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