Hian Goh stands among Southeast Asia’s most formidable venture capitalists and serial entrepreneurs. As the Founding Partner of Openspace Capital, he oversees an investment powerhouse with US$875M in assets under management, backed by major institutional players including Temasek Holdings. Recognised for his sharp business acumen, unvarnished advice, and operational discipline, Hian has built a reputation for identifying transformational ideas early and steering founders through market shifts.
Hian first made his mark on the regional business landscape as an innovator in media. In 2004, amidst a challenging economic backdrop, he co-founded the Asian Food Channel, building it from the ground up into the region’s premier 24 hour pay TV culinary network. He guided the venture through the 2007 global financial crisis, ultimately delivering a landmark exit in 2013 when American media giant Scripps Networks Interactive acquired the company for US$66M.
Leveraging his experience as a builder, Goh co-founded Openspace Capital in 2014 to address critical Series A funding gaps across Southeast Asia. Under his leadership, the firm has assembled a portfolio of category-defining brands, serving as an early backer for Gojek, female fashion label Love, Bonito, and restaurant platform Chope. His investment philosophy balances rigorous financial discipline with data-driven active intelligence, harnessing proprietary technology and machine learning to uncover asymmetrical market insights.
A captivating speaker with a commanding stage presence, Hian delivers actionable intelligence to global corporate boards, executive forums, and summit audiences. His presentations unpack the realities of building enduringbusinesses, navigating economic downturns, and scaling tech-enabled enterprises across dynamic emerging markets.
Outside of Openspace, Hian serves as Chairman of the Forging Future Foundation, sits on the A*STAR portfolio management committee, and is an advisory board member for the Singapore Management University College of Integrative Studies. He previously sat on the Board of the Singapore Science Centre and is a Kauffman Fellow. Hian holds an MBA from INSEAD and a Law degree from Trinity College, Oxford, where he also played for the university's varsity ice hockey team.
Key Speaking Topics
- The Unreasonable Mindset: Embracing bold, unconventional thinking to challenge the status quo, drive innovation, and build enduring businesses.
- Mastering the Startup Pitch: Actionable insights into what venture capitalists look for, how to craft a compelling narrative, and strategies for securing institutional funding.
- The Future of AI & Infrastructure: Exploring the rapid evolution of chips and data centres, with a critical focus on solving the physical and energy challenges associated with scaling AI compute.
