In the world of finance and venture capital, often dominated by headlines from Silicon Valley, Soo Boon Koh has carved out a name of her own from the heart of Southeast Asia. Born in Singapore, a small but ambitious island nation, Soo Boon grew up during a transformative time in the country’s history as it evolved from a developing state into a global economic hub. Her upbringing, steeped in discipline, education, and an unshakable work ethic, gave her the foundation to dream far beyond the boundaries of her environment.
From an early age, Soo Boon showed a strong aptitude for numbers, critical thinking, and leadership. Raised in a traditional society that had yet to fully embrace women in positions of power, especially in the financial world, she understood that success would require not just talent but tenacity. Her academic excellence earned her a scholarship to study abroad, where she gained international exposure and began to see the interconnected potential of global business and technology.
After completing her education in the U.S., Soo Boon embarked on a successful corporate career. She became one of the first Singaporean women to rise through the ranks in multinational banking institutions, including Chase Manhattan Bank and later in venture capital roles with Vertex Management. These experiences were formative, exposing her to cutting-edge innovation, financial strategy, and the fast-paced decision-making that would later define her entrepreneurial journey.
But the most pivotal moment in her career came in 2006 when she took a bold leap of faith and founded iGlobe Partners, a venture capital firm based in Singapore with a global footprint. At a time when the Asian startup ecosystem was still in its infancy and largely overlooked by global investors, Soo Boon saw an opportunity that others missed: the enormous, untapped potential of Southeast Asian innovation.
With iGlobe Partners, she set out to bridge East and West, investing in promising startups that many larger firms ignored. Her early investments included now-global companies like Unity Technologies, the world’s leading platform for real-time 3D content, and Matterport, a pioneer in immersive spatial technology. These successes weren’t just business wins; they were validation of her ability to spot world-changing technology before it hit the mainstream.
However, building iGlobe was not without significant challenges. As a woman leading her own fund in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Soo Boon often faced skepticism from both entrepreneurs and limited partners. She had to navigate a landscape where representation was scarce, raise capital in conservative markets, and build trust from the ground up. But she never let those barriers define her. Instead, she built a reputation for meticulous due diligence, strategic insight, and, perhaps most notably, unwavering support for the entrepreneurs she backed.
Beyond her achievements in investment, Soo Boon’s legacy lies in how she has shaped the ecosystem itself. She has been a vocal advocate for women in tech and finance, a mentor to countless founders across the globe, and an ambassador for the potential of Southeast Asia on the world stage. Her work has helped put Singapore on the map as a credible and influential player in the global venture capital space.
Today, Soo Boon Koh is widely regarded as one of Asia’s foremost venture capital pioneers. Through iGlobe Partners, she has catalyzed innovation that touches millions of lives, from digital education tools and clean energy platforms to AI-driven healthcare and immersive media. She continues to serve on global investment committees, advise governments on startup policies, and champion ethical, impact-driven investing.
In a world chasing fast profits and fleeting trends, Soo Boon’s story is a powerful reminder that vision, patience, and purpose still matter. Her legacy is not just in the billions of dollars her portfolio companies have generated, but in the lives she has touched and the ecosystems she has helped nurture. As a business inspiration, she stands as a quiet giant, proof that the most impactful leaders often lead with both intellect and heart.