About

As the first Asia Pacific counsel for Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm 500 Startups since its founding, Mei Chel Tan has carved out an impressive reputation since taking on oversight for all of 500 Startups’ Asia-focused funds and businesses. Nominators provided evidence of this, saying of Tan that ‘her passion is evident in the work she does to share knowledge and demonstrate what can be achieved in the Asian venture capital industry, bringing a practical and strategic mindset to a conventional market’. Previously a specialist in the venture capital industry through her work with a German private venture company and a successful private practice stint, Tan views her move to in-house work fondly: ‘I’ve always wanted to be a part of decisions driving commercial initiatives and to bring ideas to fruition. In my in-house career, and especially in new industries where counsel is expected to be technically sound and a creative commercial partner, there have been ample opportunities to test and hone technical capabilities and develop critical skills in stakeholder and resource management’. Since moving into her current role, she has remained extremely busy in support of the organisation’s objectives, playing a key role in several projects including forming the first two SPV funds of 500 Startups which raised over US$30m in aggregate for single target investments, and the formation of its newer Asia-focused funds for Vietnam, Thailand, and Southeast Asia, with others in progress. She has also been involved in structuring and delivering the education and ecosystem initiatives of 500 Startups which involves work with governments and corporates to develop venture capabilities and devise tailored accelerator programs.