Crane Venture Partners and Saison Capital have launched new funds to back early-stage startups in the Asia Pacific. Crane will target companies in AI-native software, infrastructure, security, and deep tech, while Saison is focusing on blockchain plays such as stablecoins, tokenised assets, and decentralised finance.
Crane Venture Partners floats $135m APAC fund
Crane Venture Partners has rolled out Crane APAC I, a $135-million fund targeting early-stage founders in India, Singapore, and Australia. The move expands the firm’s footprint in the Asia Pacific and builds on its $450-million global platform in partnership with MassMutual Ventures (MMV).
The fund is designed to back startups from seed to Series A across sectors like AI-native software, infrastructure, security, and deep tech. Crane said it seeks to partner with ambitious founders “from day zero to global category leadership”, combining local expertise with global reach.
The APAC team is led from Singapore by Carlos Jo Loo, formerly a principal at MMV, who noted that the region’s startups are “building bold companies that can compete on a global stage”. With Crane’s backing, founders will gain access to customers and partners in Europe and the US, helping accelerate their path to scale.
Crane APAC I underscores the firm’s belief that Asia Pacific is one of the most dynamic markets for the next wave of category-defining companies, and that long-term, globally connected capital will be key to their success.
The move comes on the heels of a July agreement under which MassMutual Ventures transferred management of its $450-million Europe and Asia-Pacific funds—covering about 40 portfolio companies—to Crane.
The deal cements Crane’s role as a key investment manager in the region while keeping MMV as an anchor LP across the former’s vehicles. MMV continues to operate funds in North America and Israel, with more than 60 portfolio companies and dedicated teams in Boston and for climate tech investing.
Saison Capital launches $50m blockchain fund
Japan’s Credit Saison venture arm Saison Capital has set up a new $50-million blockchain investment vehicle, Onigiri Capital.
The fund, which has secured $35 million in commitments from financial institutions in Asia and the US, will back startups building real-world asset solutions spanning stablecoins, tokenised assets, payments, decentralised finance, and financial infrastructure.
Onigiri will be managed by Saison Capital partner Looi Qin En and managing partner Hans de Back.
Looi said Asia is emerging as a centre for real-world asset innovation, while de Back noted the fund aims to marry Silicon Valley’s innovation with Asia’s institutional depth to help founders build products that meet global finance standards.
The launch comes as major institutions including BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, MUFG, and Bank of China increasingly integrate blockchain technology into their operations.
