Forge Ventures: Investing in Southeast Asia’s Builders of Tomorrow
In the fast-growing world of venture capital, the Philippines is steadily becoming home to a new generation of investors shaping how ideas turn into impactful businesses. Among them is Ysabel Chua, Vice President at Singapore-based Forge Ventures, a firm that has been quietly building one of the region’s most thoughtful early-stage portfolios.
From Early Employee to Emerging Leader
Chua joined Forge Ventures in 2022 as an associate and became the firm’s first employee. Her arrival marked the beginning of Forge’s active expansion across Southeast Asia. Within two years, she rose to Vice President, a role that now sees her managing investments, supporting founders, and shaping strategy for one of the most founder-focused funds in the region.
Forge Ventures was established with the goal of backing entrepreneurs who are solving meaningful problems in emerging markets. The firm now holds a portfolio of 16 companies spanning fintech, logistics, food technology, and enterprise solutions. Chua has already overseen five key investments, including in Indonesian supply chain startup Baskit and food innovation company Prefer. Each investment reflects Forge’s belief that the next wave of Southeast Asian growth will come from practical, technology-driven solutions rather than speculative trends.
A Career Built Across Southeast Asia’s Tech Economy
Before entering venture capital, Chua built her career inside the region’s startup ecosystem. She was previously Chief of Staff at Philippine fintech company PayMongo, where she helped scale one of the country’s most recognized payment startups. Prior to that, she worked as a Senior Product Manager at Shopee, one of Southeast Asia’s largest e-commerce platforms.
This hands-on experience gives her a unique perspective on what founders actually need. Having worked on the operational side of startups, she understands the long hours, uncertainty, and constant experimentation that define early-stage building. That empathy now informs how she supports entrepreneurs through Forge. Instead of merely providing funding, she focuses on helping founders refine their products, hire their first teams, and find the right growth partners.
Building Bridges Across the Region
Forge Ventures positions itself not as a traditional investor but as a collaborator for startups ready to scale regionally. Its team operates across Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines, helping founders navigate the distinct business environments of Southeast Asia. Chua’s Philippine background has proven especially valuable in connecting local entrepreneurs with regional capital.
For her, venture capital is not just about financial return but about building ecosystems. She often highlights the need for better founder networks, shared learning platforms, and cross-border collaboration. In a fragmented region where regulations and markets differ widely, creating these bridges is one of the keys to long-term growth.
Forge’s investments reflect that philosophy. Beyond Baskit and Prefer, the firm backs companies that combine innovation with execution discipline. Whether in logistics optimization or digital finance, its goal is to fund startups that can improve efficiency and inclusion for millions across the region.
A New Generation of Investors
Chua’s rise within Forge represents a generational shift in Southeast Asian venture capital. Younger investors are bringing fresh perspectives, global education, and local understanding to an industry once dominated by established networks. As one of the few Filipinos in a senior investment role at a regional fund, Chua is also part of a growing movement to diversify the faces shaping Asia’s innovation economy.
Her background blends technical insight, operational experience, and a deep connection to emerging markets. That combination has allowed her to guide founders through the complexities of building in Southeast Asia, where cultural nuance and practical execution often matter as much as capital.
Empowering Founders Through Partnership
Forge Ventures’ model of investing is built around partnership. The team spends significant time with founders, not only at the point of investment but throughout their early growth stages. Chua plays an active role in advising on product design, hiring strategies, and market entry planning. Her day-to-day work involves bridging data with intuition, using her experience to spot opportunities others might overlook.
By focusing on companies solving tangible problems, Chua and the Forge team are positioning the firm as a long-term catalyst for regional innovation. Their success demonstrates that venture capital can be both patient and ambitious, pragmatic yet visionary.
The Road Ahead
As Southeast Asia’s technology ecosystem continues to expand, the role of investors like Ysabel Chua becomes increasingly important. Her path from startup operator to venture leader reflects the region’s own evolution from chasing global trends to defining its own.
Through Forge Ventures, Chua is helping ensure that founders have more than capital behind them. They have partners who understand their challenges, share their ambition, and believe in their potential to reshape Southeast Asia’s future.
