Simon founded and was the Managing Director of Apex Strategic Ventures, a Singapore-based not-for-profit organisation, the implementing partner for New Ventures Asia, the Southeast Asian arm of the World Resources Institute’s globally recognised New Ventures programme. The platform operated as a principal interface between early-stage companies and institutional capital, bridging a critical gap between venture development and investability in emerging markets.
In this role, he built and led a full-cycle venture development and investment facilitation platform, working with more than 150 companies across Southeast Asia to prepare, position and connect businesses with institutional and impact capital. Under his leadership, the platform facilitated more than US$ 337 million in investment across the portfolio, spanning renewable energy, clean technology, sustainable agriculture and resource efficiency.
Simon’s direct involvement included:
- Identifying and selecting high-potential companies for the programme
- Structuring investment narratives and commercial positioning
- Developing business plans and investor materials
- Supporting management teams in capital engagement and strategic partnerships
- Facilitating introductions to investors across debt, equity and blended finance structures
Institutional counterparties engaged through the platform included Citibank, Deutsche Bank, IFC, USAID, the US State Department, Inter-American Development Bank and the Netherlands development finance community, among other global development finance and impact investment organisations.
The programme operated across Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the broader Southeast Asian region, establishing a pipeline of investment-ready businesses and demonstrating a scalable model for early-stage venture development and capital mobilisation.
Status: Completed mandate with ongoing legacy impact across the regional investment ecosystem.