TLDR:
- Adriel Chua has joined Alibaba Group as an investment manager to oversee Southeast Asia and Latin America investments.
- Alibaba has been focusing on AI technology startups and has corporate venture capital arms like Alibaba Innovation Venture and Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund.
Adriel Chua, a former senior investment associate at Singaporean venture capital firm East Ventures, has been appointed by Alibaba Group as an investment manager based in Singapore. With almost six years of experience in the venture capital industry, Chua will be responsible for leading investments in Southeast Asian and Latin American startups for the NYSE-listed ecommerce giant.
Prior to joining Alibaba, Chua played a key role in investments at East Ventures, including edtech developer Ruangguru, logistics platform Waresix, and ecommerce service provider Sendo. He also gained experience as an investment analyst at US-headquartered VC firm Amasia, where he contributed to fundraising rounds for companies like Dialpad and The Atheltic.
Alibaba has been actively investing in AI technology startups, with their Alibaba Cloud subsidiary supporting companies like Zhipu Huazhang Technology, 01.AI, and Baichuan through cloud credits. Furthermore, Alibaba recently participated in Moonshot AI’s $300 million funding round, along with Tencent, showcasing their commitment to innovation and growth in the tech sector.
Alibaba runs several corporate venture capital arms, including Alibaba Innovation Venture and Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund. These initiatives have been instrumental in supporting startups in various regions, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan, through dedicated funds aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and technological development.
Overall, Chua’s appointment at Alibaba signifies the company’s continued focus on investing in promising startups in Southeast Asia and Latin America, while also expanding its presence in the global tech ecosystem through strategic partnerships and investments in cutting-edge technologies.
