A Strong (Re)opening

Well-entrenched practices and standards have insulated Launcho Ventures from the pandemic shock, allowing it to focus on what is to come.

- Marc Almagro

Venture capitalist Martin Berry is perhaps better known for his entrepreneurial achievements, and this not a coincidence — he has grown and catapulted start-ups to international renown to the point that they have overshadowed even his name. Foremost among these is founding Gong Cha Korea, acquiring its parent company Royal Tea Taiwan along the way, and continuing to scale the former into a global brand with a market footprint in 18 countries. Berry has previously held key global positions previously in consumer banking at Citibank, Barclays, and Standard Chartered.

Today, as founder and CEO of Launcho Ventures, he continues to fund, build, and grow consumer companies across Asia with a distinct entrepreneurial bent. The Singapore-based venture incubates regional start-ups in the tech and consumer packaged goods sector. Besides funding, it provides strategic direction and full support in operations areas from finance to recruitment.

Berry’s team at Launcho Ventures comprises entrepreneurs with deep expertise in tech, e-commerce, financial services, consumer goods, venture capital, and private equity for some of the world’s leading brands. During the COVID-19-led lockdowns, they spent time studying the market from both supplier and consumer perspectives and drew up a strategic plan to prepare for seismic shifts in the market.

In an interview with Portfolio, Martin Berry identifies vital areas where well-timed funding can jumpstart recovery and long-term change.