500 Global names former Ninja Van Philippine head Martin Cu as SE Asia partner

Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm 500 Global (formerly 500 Startups) has named Martin Cu, former country head of Ninja Van in the Philippines, as one its partners in Southeast Asia.

Cu joins two other new partners – Shahril Ibrahim and Saemin Ahn – in the leadership team of 500 Global, based across Southeast Asia. The appointment is part of the venture capital investor’s efforts to bolster its capabilities in the region.

Cu was previously Philippine country head of Ninja Van, one of Southeast Asia’s largest tech-enabled logistics companies. He grew the Ninja Van team in the Philippines from 0 to 5,000 employees and built a nationwide network serving 97% of the country.

Amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic, Ninja Van achieved a company valuation of over $1 billion, and Cu played a key role in transforming the firm into a unicorn.  

Prior to Ninja Van, Cu was head of Acquisition Marketing at on-demand streaming service HOOQ and marketing director at Zalora Philippines.

500 Global managing partner Vishal Harnal said Cu and the two other new partners will add “significant investment and operation expertise” to support entrepreneurs across Southeast Asia.

“We will continue to add top talent and winning skill sets to our team in this strategically important region and build on our track record of success,” Harnal said.

500 Global is a venture capital firm with $2.7 billion in assets under management that invests in founders building fast-growing technology companies. It focuses on markets where technology, innovation, and capital can unlock long-term value and drive economic growth.

500 Global has backed over 5,000 founders representing more than 2,700 companies operating in 81 countries.

Its investments in the Philippines include fintech company First Circle, software developer engageSPARK, consumer tech ChefonDemand, consumer entertainment startup Partyphile, and payments firm PawnHero, among others.