The top 50: Paul Asel, co-founder and partner, NGP Capital
Paul Asel is a co-founder and partner at NGP Capital, a global venture capital firm backed by Nokia. With $1.6bn under management, and offices in the US, Europe and China, NGP Capital has invested in more than 100 companies of which 18 have reached a unicorn status.
The firm offers entrepreneurs funding, entry into global markets, deep thematic expertise, and access to vast networks within their corporate limited partner. The firm focuses on growth-stage companies within cybersecurity, cloud edge, digital industries and digital transformation to create financial and strategic value.
Recent investments include Nova Labs, the company behind a blockchain-enabled decentralised Helium Network; Spacefill, a French logistics and supply chain platform; and BoostUp, a revenue intelligence and operations company.
Asel has been investing in startups for more than 25 years and has more than 20 successful exits including five IPOs and four acquisitions exceeding $1bn in value, including two of the largest acquisitions in China to date. His current investments include Lime, Workfusion, Zum, Immuta and SVT Robotics.
Prior to joining NGP Capital, Asel led technology investments in Southeast Asia at the International Finance Corporation. Previously, he was a partner at investment firm Telos Venture Partners, oversaw M&A and investments at design automation software producer Cadence Design Systems and worked at wealth management firm Merrill Lynch in investment banking. He is an adviser to investment fund Garage Capital in Canada.
Asel received an MBA from Stanford University and a bachelor’s from Dartmouth College.
