Southeast Asia Exponential Ventures (SeaX) is a VC fund investing globally in early-stage companies with game-changing “exponential” technologies. Pulse 2.0 interviewed SeaX founder and CEO Kid Parchariyanon to gain a deeper understanding of the firm.
Kid Parchariyanon’s Background
What is Kid Parchariyanon’s background? Parchariyanon said:
“I’ve always been passionate about technology and have been hooked on it since I was 19 years old. Growing up in Thailand, I was fascinated by Silicon Valley, but there were few tech opportunities in Southeast Asia. I took a leap of faith and developed the first mobile stock app for the Thai Stock Exchange, which sparked my mission to bring innovation to the region.”
“From there, my path took a bit of an unconventional route – I went from building a mobile app to studying medicine and becoming a doctor. Along the way, I picked up invaluable skills in problem-solving, data-driven decision-making, and seeing firsthand how technology can transform lives. My background in medicine gave me a unique view of how technology can make a real difference in people’s lives, which sparked my passion for driving tech innovation in Southeast Asia.”
“In 2016, I founded RISE to accelerate Southeast Asia’s tech ecosystem, partnering with major corporations to launch over 200 startups – but I knew we could do even more. That drive led me to start SeaX Ventures in 2018 while at Stanford, bridging U.S. deep tech startups with Southeast Asia’s resources and markets.”
Formation Of The Firm
How did the idea for the firm come together? Parchariyanon shared:
“The idea for SeaX Ventures stemmed from the realization that while Southeast Asia was booming in e-commerce, it lagged in deep tech sectors like biotech, AI, and climate tech. When I founded RISE in 2016, my goal was to turn the region into a global tech powerhouse, but I quickly saw that local startups needed stronger connections to innovation. While completing the Executive Program at Stanford in 2018, I saw firsthand how rapidly Silicon Valley was advancing, and it became clear that Southeast Asia needed a direct pipeline to these breakthrough technologies if it wanted to be put on par with the VC hub.”
“SeaX was created to bridge this gap. Instead of just supporting local startups, we flipped the model, and aim to bring innovative U.S. and European tech companies to Southeast Asia and help them grow by working with the region’s biggest corporations. With 70% of our LPs from Asia and 70% of our investments in U.S. companies, SeaX connects two major innovation hubs, giving startups a smoother path into new markets while bringing groundbreaking technology to Southeast Asia at a much faster pace.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the firm so far? Parchariyanon reflected:
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my work at SeaX Ventures is investing in early-stage startups whose missions we truly believe in. Every time these founders gain traction, it reinforces why we do what we do. Supporting entrepreneurs as they navigate challenges, refine their innovations, and ultimately build companies that change industries is an incredible privilege. Seeing these companies grow and make an impact is what drives us every day.”
“A standout memory is our early investment in Solana. Recognizing the potential of their innovative blockchain infrastructure, we had the privilege of witnessing their rise into a leading blockchain platform, which has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. Our collaboration with RyboDyn, a biotech startup developing immunotherapies targeting the dark genome, also highlights our commitment to groundbreaking technologies. Partnering with such visionary founders and seeing their innovations thrive reinforces the passion and purpose behind our work at SeaX Ventures.”
Challenges Faced
What challenges have Parchariyanon and the firm face in building the company? Parchariyanon acknowledged:
“For startups looking to grow in Southeast Asia, the biggest challenge isn’t just raising money – it’s finding the right talent and infrastructure to support their expansion. These companies often need highly specialized skills and advanced resources that aren’t always easy to access. On top of that, breaking into the market can be tough, especially when it comes to landing big corporations. It takes time to connect with the right decision-makers and build the trust needed for long-term partnerships.”
“At SeaX Ventures, we address these challenges by leveraging our strong regional network and exclusive partnership with RISE, allowing us to connect startups with the right mentorship, talent, and corporate partners to ramp up their growth.”
“For example, our investment in Band Protocol, a platform that connects real-world data to blockchain apps, was more than a financial move – we leveraged our network to connect them with key technology partners and industry stakeholders, accelerating their market integration. By facilitating these connections, we help startups like Band Protocol receive the support needed to scale effectively and efficiently.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Parchariyanon cited:
“Some of the most significant milestones at SeaX Ventures are tied to our ability to support startups from early stages all the way to successful exits. One of our standout achievements was supporting Band Protocol from its inception, providing them with workspace, mentorship, and access to our network.”
“Their successful exit in June 2023 was a proud moment for us – it truly validated our approach of nurturing startups and connecting them to the right resources at critical stages of their growth. While it’s always bittersweet to see a company graduate from our portfolio, we are thrilled to have been part of Band Protocol’s journey and played a role in their success. This exit is a testament to our ability to identify high-potential startups early and provide the right support to help them scale.”
“One of our most unique partnerships is our collaboration with Qvin, an early-stage investment that’s developing an alternative to traditional lab testing for women’s health by using a natural cycle to screen for cervical cancer and other health issues. We connected them with the world’s top 5 healthcare providers by market capitalization and together, they’re commercializing a $1 billion market, targeting over 70 million women.”
“Our most recent investment in RyboDyn, a biotech company pioneering immunotherapies by targeting the dark genome, is another major milestone for us. By leveraging our network, we’re helping them explore new opportunities in Southeast Asia’s pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, making significant strides on the global healthcare stage.”
“While I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built so far, what excites me most is what’s coming next. We’re excited to continue supporting world-class founders and companies that we believe have the potential to disrupt entire industries and solve important problems.”
Success Stories
When asking Parchariyanon about success stories, he highlighted:
“At the start of 2025, we announced our role as co-lead in RyboDyn’s $4 million pre-seed round, a biotech company pushing the boundaries of cancer treatment by targeting the dark genome. RyboDyn’s research has already identified cancer-specific peptides that could transform immunotherapy and challenge the long-standing “junk DNA” narrative, uncovering entirely new targets for first-in-class therapies.”
“Our investment is helping RyboDyn secure the resources it needs to advance its research and continue developing innovative technologies. By leveraging our network, we’re connecting them with key stakeholders in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, ensuring they have access to the right partnerships to bring their discoveries to life. This investment highlights our commitment to bringing significant deep tech innovations to market and bridging the gap between scientific breakthroughs and real-world impact.”
AUM
When asking Parchariyanon about assets under management and other metrics, he revealed:
“At SeaX Ventures, we’re really proud to be a $100M venture fund backing deep tech startups all around the world. We’re all about finding world-class founders with big ideas and helping them take their early-stage companies to the next level – ultimately driving change in industries that matter.”
Differentiation From Other Firms
What differentiates SeaX from other firm? Parchariyanon emphasized:
“Our ability to bridge critical gaps that often hinder early-stage deep tech companies from successfully scaling is what sets SeaX Ventures apart from other venture firms. The biggest hurdles – securing capital, talent, infrastructure, and partnerships – are at the heart of what we do.”
“Thanks to our exclusive partnership with RISE and our network of over 500 corporations in Southeast Asia, we’re able to do more than just make introductions; we help startups navigate complex corporate landscapes, gain direct access to decision-makers, and build the trust needed to establish lasting relationships. By offering this level of strategic support, we make sure our portfolio companies thrive in competitive markets.”
“We’re also very intentional when it comes to evaluating which early-stage companies we’ll invest in. It’s about more than just the technology – it’s about the core problem that the startup is solving and the people and synergy behind it. At SeaX Ventures, we’re looking for world-class founders – those who are not just brilliant but strongly motivated by a mission to disrupt industries and solve meaningful problems.”
Future Firm Goals
What are some of the firm’s future company goals? Parchariyanon concluded:
“At SeaX, our ultimate goal is to invest in world-class entrepreneurs who want to change the world and bring breakthrough technologies back to Southeast Asia, contributing to the region’s growth. Looking ahead, we’re going to be very focused on making investments in climate tech and other transformative areas like quantum, material science, and AI.”
“This year and beyond, our focus will be on investing in companies working towards carbon neutrality. At the same time, we’re committed to our own ambitious goals: reducing global carbon emissions by 1% and driving 1% of GDP growth for Southeast Asia through innovation.”
“Our recent investment in the U.S.-based biotech company RyboDyn demonstrates our commitment to these goals. We’re excited to support their global expansion and, with our strong connections in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, we’re eager to help them unlock new opportunities and make a meaningful impact on healthcare worldwide.”
“We’re excited to continue driving growth by expanding our investments in breakthrough technologies, fostering innovation across Southeast Asia, and supporting companies that are shaping the future of industries like climate tech, biotech, and more.”
