The venture landscape has shifted dramatically. From Harry Stebbings raising £400M+ with 20VC to Elad Gil managing a billion-dollar fund, Solo General Partners (GPs) have proven they can compete at the highest levels. Mohan Kumar demonstrated this path in Southeast Asia by establishing a USD 300 million continuation vehicle after leaving Norwest Venture Partners, proving that the model works equally well in Asian markets.
We examine the key factors shaping the Solo GP landscape and the strategies that may drive success in 2025.
Five Essential Strategies for Solo GP Success in 2025
Discover the five key factors that will define the success of Solo GPs and set top performers apart in the evolving venture landscape.
1. Portfolio Construction in a More Disciplined Market
The days of raising massive funds on personal brands alone are waning. Successful Solo GPs like Josh Buckley are thriving by maintaining disciplined portfolio construction. The key? Strategic reserve allocation and focused investment theses.
Top performers typically manage 15-20 core investments per fund, ensuring enough bandwidth for proper due diligence and portfolio support. Huiting Koh of Blueprint Ventures exemplifies this approach in ASEAN, maintaining a focused portfolio that enables hands-on support while navigating diverse regional markets.
2. LP Communication Strategy
With institutional investors increasingly backing Solo GPs, the bar for reporting and transparency has risen. Leading solo GPs have been adopting institutional-grade reporting systems since day one. They provide quarterly updates beyond basic metrics, sharing portfolio company developments, market insights, and pipeline visibility. This proactive approach helps address the growing LP fatigue in an overcrowded market.
This is particularly crucial in Asia, where relationship-building drives LP confidence and continued support. Many SEA-based Solo GPs ensure trust through structured updates and direct engagement, recognising that investors value transparency as much as performance.
3. Operating Leverage & Regulatory Strategy
The most successful Solo GPs aren’t truly operating alone. They leverage technology and infrastructure partners to handle fund administration, compliance, and reporting. This allows them to focus on their core strengths: deal sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio support. Smart automation of back-office functions isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about scaling without losing the personal touch that makes Solo GPs attractive to founders.
For many in Southeast Asia, regulatory complexity presents a significant hurdle, driving Solo GPs to establish operations in Singapore while investing across Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Modern platforms like Auptimate streamline these operations, allowing managers to focus on investments rather than administration.
4. Securing High-Quality Deal Flow
With increased competition, Solo GPs need an edge in deal sourcing. Those who consistently win allocations rely on a combination of:
- Deep sector expertise, particularly in fast-growing AI, FinTech, and Sustainability industries.
- Strong founder networks built from previous entrepreneurial or operational experience.
- Partnerships with co-investors, including established VC firms and corporate investors.
- Access to regional accelerator programs and industry networks, such as those backed by government initiatives in Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
5. Developing a Sustainable Competitive Edge
The most resilient Solo GPs move beyond personal brands to build sustainable advantages. This means developing specific sector expertise, creating value-add networks, or building proprietary technology stacks. The goal is to offer something unique that larger, traditional firms can’t easily replicate.
For example, William Klippgen leveraged his expertise to co-found Cocoon Capital, a US$27 million fund focused on early-stage enterprise tech startups across Southeast Asia. His deep understanding of local market dynamics and cross-border operations has enabled him to secure deals in competitive rounds for companies like PropertyGuru and Tickled Media. His success shows how a well-defined niche and strong industry relationships can give Solo GPs an enduring edge.
Looking Ahead
The Solo GP model isn’t disappearing, but it is maturing. Success in 2025 will come from operating more like an institution while maintaining the agility that makes Solo GPs attractive. The winners will be those who can balance rapid decision-making with institutional-grade operations. The next generation of Solo GPs will combine agility with a structured approach, ensuring they remain competitive in an evolving market.
Ready to scale your Solo GP operation? Learn how Nova by Auptimate helps fund managers launch and operate funds seamlessly, handling everything from licensing to fund administration—so you can focus on what matters most: making great investments.
