Apple’s recent announcement (see Techcrunch summary here) is too big not to comment on. Given that CApria does not invest in consumer tech, deep tech, AI foundation models, or even in the enterprise tools sitting on top of AI foundation models, you might ask what’s the connection to our applied GenAI strategy? The answer is nothing and everything. The nothing part I’ve already addressed. The everything part is centered around Apple’s pragmatic approach to applying AI, which I deeply admire and that I am confident will pay off for them as well as for our portfolio companies who adopt similar pragmatic approaches.
In a nutshell, Apple is doing a few things very wisely:
These principles are very similar to those we’ve discussed with many of our portfolio companies and those that Apple now has started showing the world how to execute at scale. I see Apple’s plan as a big step forward for applying AI, whether you think AI means Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Intelligence, or Apple Intelligence.
During my recent trip to the GCC (the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes UAE and Saudi where we are focused), I led a workshop for the Abu Dhabi Investment Council where I shared insights on how private-market VC investors can tap into the GenAI potential. The session focused on helping their team grasp the speed of GenAI innovation and also offered strategies for identifying and investing in companies applying GenAI to build sustainably better businesses with strong “AI Moats”. I also shared a real-time demo showing how the Capria Ventures team is becoming more efficient using our internal GenAI tool “Due Diligence Copilot”
Over the last few months, my partners and I have developed some insights based on three visits to the GCC. After our trip last month, I penned my observations and insights about the region’s VC ecosystem maturation in “GCC Startups Need More than Money“, here. I discuss the importance of global VCs looking beyond just capital and truly adding value to the ecosystem by offering seasoned guidance, connectivity, and Global South domain expertise to support the growth of GCC startups. By continuing to build strong local partnerships, we will accelerate the development of a vibrant startup ecosystem in the region.
Moving beyond the GCC, it’s interesting to see parallel advancements in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia remains a key focus for major tech companies, with Google making a multibillion-dollar investment in Malaysia shortly after Microsoft announced a $2.2 billion investment in the country’s technology sector. The region’s potential is driven by its young, dynamic workforce and rising incomes, creating a fertile ground for tech and consumer market innovation. This and the region’s relatively neutral geopolitical stance make it an attractive destination for global investments, further driving economic growth and technological advancement. With two team members residing in Jakarta and three strong investing partners (in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Singapore), we continue looking for breakout opportunities and have brought three to our IC in the past 2 months.
Capria Ventures and its related entities are committed to the highest standards of ethics and strictly enforce a zero-tolerance anti-corruption policy. Please report any suspicious activity to grievance@capria.vc. All reports will be treated with utmost urgency and resolved appropriately.
Unitus Ventures, a leading venture capital firm in India, is joining forces with its US affiliate Capria Ventures, a Global South specialist, to operate with a unified global strategy under a single brand, Capria Ventures.
