START EARLY. GO FAR.

Our Approach

STRATEGY

WE BUILD
MOATS

Today’s large-scale opportunities exists in complex, regulated industries that are intertwined with government. The problem is that heavily regulated industries such as defense, banking, telecommunication, and energy are dominated by entrenched interests – incumbents are aggressive in the defense of their franchises.

This generation’s winners are those who can challenge the status quo and transcend inefficient industries. This is a monumental challenge and founders must be equipped to face Goliath (e.g. Uber with taxi licensing, Airbnb with zoning).

Any counsel can help navigate statutory limitations; we go further and leverage the regulatory framework to your advantage by building strategic partnerships and coalitions, grassroots networks, lobbying and public affairs. All money is green, but we help you build defensible moats – that’s priceless.

GEOGRAPHY

WE’RE
BORDERLESS

We invest globally and have a presence in the United States and Thailand. Emerging markets are vastly undercapitalized and inundated with bureaucratic inefficiency. Southeast Asia in particular, is on the cusp of a digital transformation. The 2020 pandemic catalyzed an acceleration in the region’s internet adoption. Increased spending on STEM education and the relatively low cost of living enables labor arbitrage.

We have deep roots in Southeast Asia and a superlative understanding of the geopolitical landscape – our affiliates have a six-decade track record of robust regulatory hacking. We know what it takes to disrupt, and we have the human capital to help you execute. Grab surpassed Uber in Southeast Asia by offering localized product enhancements and services, we can help you do the same. In other emerging markets, we partner with a global network of operators, policy experts and local behemoths to help you win.

CRITERIA

WE BET ON
THE BEST

We are exceptionally selective in our partnerships because we commit fully. When Robust works with you, it’s because we’re aligned with your long-term vision. We gravitate toward independent thinkers and contrarians who are solving complex economic, logistical, scientific, and engineering problems. We don’t believe in fads, marginally valuable widgets, or redundant hardware.

We invest early (Pre-Seed to Series A) with the intent to follow-on throughout the company’s lifecycle. We invest globally with a focus on North America and Southeast Asia. Our term sheets contain provisions on governance (series-specific approval of indebtedness, issuance of additional securities) and economics (anti-dilution, pre-emptive, pro rata rights). We typically invest in SAFEs or Preferred Securities with a 1x (or higher) liquidation preference.

WHY ROBUST?

WE’RE
RELENTLESS

We’re early movers who thrive in competition. We have greater incentives to succeed than most investors because we have skin in the game. We’ve assembled a ‘think tank’  of seasoned operators, founders and strategic experts to empower your team. We take pride in formulating robust solutions to the problems that keep you up at night, be it operational, regulatory, legal, recruiting or fundraising. Failure is not an option for us. Let’s build together.

TEAM

Kanin Asva

Founder, General Partner


Born in Asia, raised by the world. Kanin is a serial entrepreneur with experience managing over $200M. Prior to founding Robust, Kanin was a Principal at Dynafolio, a small-cap private equity firm that focuses primarily on turning around distressed companies.

Kanin spearheaded risk management for Marwin Technologies, a premier provider of Aerospace, Meterological and Agricultural Tech solutions in Thailand. Kanin previously worked at Bangkok Bank and Econ One Research.

Kanin was a Venture Partner at Oyster Ventures, a fintech-focused fund. Kanin advises startups and growth stage companies on the Southeast Asian regulatory landscape and tech ecosystem.

Kanin holds Bachelor’s Degree in Management Science from the University of California, San Diego and a Master’s Degree in Financial Analysis, summa cum laude from the University of San Francisco.

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Pam Jirat

Analyst


Pam started her career at Deloitte, then spent 3 years as a Financial Analyst at KC Construction, a boutique developer and building components manufactory. She later obtained a Master’s in Construction Administration from Columbia University.

Before Joining Robust, Pam was a Venture Fellow at Insignia Ventures, one of Singapore’s premier VC funds. She also worked as an Associate at EQX Biome, an innovative carbon credit platform that aims to protect the world’s biodiversity.

In addition to her analytical prowess, Pam brings a wealth of experience in Climate and Property Technology. With a keen passion for ESG, Pam hopes to support Robust in its mission to invest for the betterment of humanity.

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Advisors

DR. MICAH HACKETT

Director of Fuels and Materials, Kairos Power

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AARON AIKEN

Managing Partner, Hanover Partners

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DR. AARON CRAVENS

Founder and CEO, Revel Pharmaceuticals

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Audra White

Partner, Platt Cheema Richmond

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WITHERS WORLDWIDE

General Counsel (International)

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GREENSPOON MARDER

General Counsel (U.S.)

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Our Portfolio

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Counstruction SaaS Seed

Offsight

Project management for offsite and modular construction.

Life Sciences Seed

Symbiome

Formulations from the first complete multiomic survey of the ancient microbiome.
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Life Sciences Public

Aravive

A late-stage clinical oncology company developing transformative, targeted, and innovative therapies.

UNANNOUNCED

Unannounced

Unannounced

News

Forbes

2023.02.12

Entrepreneurs Face Headwinds from Investment Sector

Life and Style

2023.02.10

Kanin Asva: An Innovator Through Venture Capitalism

Miami Herald

2023.02.09

Kanin Asva: From Ground Zero to Investor Hero

WWD

2023.02.09

Kanin Asva Designs The Future of Robust

Success

2023.01.03

How Kanin Asva Built A Venture Fund From Scratch

Maxim

2022.12.31

How Kanin Asva Founded a Booming Venture Capital Firm

Flaunt

2022.12.15

Robust Founder Kanin Asva Is Built To Last

International Business Times

2022.12.07

True Thai-Grit: A Kanin Asva’s East-West Path To Redemption

Entrepreneur

2022.11.29

Kanin Asva On Excellence, Entrepreneurship And Empowerment

ABC Money

2022.11.24

Robust: Early-Stage Venture Capital Fund Intent on Trailblazing to New Frontiers

Men’s Journal

2022.11.17

Swimming Against the Tide Brings Kanin Asva a Wave of Opportunity

TechBullion

2022.11.15

Kanin Asva’s Incredible Journey: From Strength to Strength

Yahoo! Finance

2022.10.31

Robust Backs Sustainable Life Sciences Brand Symbiome

Forbes

2022.08.15

Reawakening Southeast Asia’s Slumbering Giants

Yahoo! Finance

2022.06.07

Robust Primed to Bridge Innovation Gap Across Borders