SMBC to invest $20m in Vertex Master Fund

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) today announces that the bank has committed to invest in Vertex Master Fund (SG) II LP, a partnership established by a subsidiary of Vertex Venture Holdings. Vertex is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited, a global investment company owned by the Singaporean government.

The partnership invests in firms possessing technology with high-growth potential in sectors that have seen massive innovation development and uptake, such as healthcare and Fintech, via venture capital funds which operate in various parts of the world, including Southeast Asia, India and the United States.

The investment of US$20 million is set to enhance SMBC’s access to firms with cutting edge technology, allowing the bank to better support customers’ growth by providing the customers with partnership opportunities with startups located around the world. SMBC will also use the investment to push further its own digitalization.

In a separate announcement issued today, Marubeni Corporation says it executed contract agreements with Vertex Venture Holdings Ltd. The contract is an agreement to invest in Vertex Master Fund (SG) II LP.

VMF2 is a subsequent fund of the high-performing Vertex Master Fund, and its primary purpose is to invest in venture capital funds all over the world including South East Asia, China, India, the United States and Israel. The target total amount for VMF2 will be approximately US$ 770 million, of which up to US$ 50 million will be Marubeni’s investment.

Through collaboration with VVH and invested startups, Marubeni hopes to gain a better understanding of innovative business model trends, primarily in Asian countries, facilitate its own innovation which will go beyond the company’s current business framework, and pursue the creation of new business models which will lay the foundation of the revenue for next generation.