Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has announced today its creation of a venture capital "Start-up Technology Emerging Companies Programme" (known as, STEP). The programme, spearheaded by the firm's team in Singapore, aims to provide cost-efficient and high-quality strategic legal support to investors and early-stage technology companies across South and Southeast Asia, and demonstrates the firm's commitment to venture capital markets in the region.
"Together with Stephenson Harwood's renowned global technology practice, STEP shall facilitate our delivery of client-focused and pragmatic legal advice to new-age start-ups and investors in the technology sector," said Tom Platts, head of M&A for Southeast Asia, Stephenson Harwood. "In accelerating STEP, we will be assisted by Singapore-based venture capital investor and entrepreneur Field Pickering, who will help to shape the programme and the firm's wider commitment to the sector."
Tom continued, "When it comes down to the nuts and bolts, start-up companies and investors require assistance from a firm that understands the balance between effective strategic legal advice and cost-efficiency, while thinking about future equity funding, access to private and alternative sources of capital, debt, liquidity, and which has an eye on how to exit in what can be a tough market. Having support from a highly-connected firm which also advises on the very largest M&A deals in the region and has a real-world commercial perspective of life 'outside the start-up bubble', provides founders and investors alike with a level of comfort which is generally beyond what most law firms are capable of providing in Southeast Asia."
"I look forward to working with the Stephenson Harwood team who understand the complexities and nuances involved with supporting emerging companies from start to finish to complete their strategic transactions," said Field Pickering. "Both investors and emerging companies will mutually benefit from receiving experienced advice from goal-oriented lawyers committed to supporting emerging companies and investors for success in both the short and long term."
Ming Hui Gan, a lawyer in the firm's Southeast Asia cross-border M&A and private equity practice, will co-lead the programme. Among other things, Ming Hui advises businesses and investors on all aspects of their M&A activity and provides legal advice at all levels of the investment spectrum. "There is a lot of untapped potential on how we can provide more streamlined yet pragmatic and efficient support to investors and emerging companies in the venture capital space. I am excited to help shape the strategy of STEP, and to contribute to the growth of our venture capital practice," said Ming Hui.
