Smile Group
Venture studioSingapore · Pre-Seed–Late Stage · 12 people tracked
Investment thesis
Smile Group positions itself as a leading internet firm in Asia that invests in, builds, and partners with disruptive founders pursuing audacious ideas. It has helped major global internet businesses expand into Asian markets, particularly India and South-East Asia, by localizing business models, setting up operational bases, and building distribution channels. Examples include guiding the world's largest online vacation rental marketplace into Asia, serving as the exclusive South-East Asia launch partner for Snapchat, helping Twitter build distribution channels using access to over 10,000 brands, and establishing operational service centres such as Airseva for Airbnb.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 12 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 1 of 4 portfolio companiesConsumer ×1Marketplaces ×1Travel & Hospitality ×1
HQs:United States×1
Investments · 4 tracked
founders shown can be your intro path
Airbnb is an online marketplace that enables people to book and list accommodations for short-term rentals, experiences, and services around the world.
ConsumerMarketplacesTravel & HospitalitySan Francisco, US
Brian Chesky(Founder/CEO)inNathan Blecharczyk(Founder/CTO)inJoe Gebbia(Founder/CPO)inAlfred Lin(Director)Belinda Johnson(Executive Officer)Laurence Tosi(Executive Officer)
Operational services centre established to support Airbnb's global business functions.
A camera and messaging app that connects people to their friends and the world.
Bobby Murphy(Cofounder)Evan Spiegel(Cofounder)
Social media platform Smile Group helped build out distribution channels and increase ad revenue in South-East Asia.
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Smile Group invest at?
- Smile Group invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth, Late Stage stages.
- What sectors does Smile Group focus on?
- Smile Group focuses on Consumer, Crypto & Web3, Data & Infrastructure, Gaming, Marketplaces, Media & Entertainment, SaaS, Social, Travel & Hospitality.
- Where is Smile Group located?
- Smile Group is headquartered in Singapore, IN.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the team#17IDS | Manish Vij, Smile Group in conversation with Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Info Edge
IAMAIForum · Manish Vij
Meet Harish Bahl- Founder & CEO, Smile Group (Fashion&You, FREECULTR etc)
FUCCHA · Harish Bahl
Harish Bahl (Smile Group) -- What Do You Look For In A Start-up?
nasscom startups · Harish Bahl
Harish Bahl (Smile Group) -- What Is The Right Time To Start-up?
nasscom startups · Harish Bahl
Harish Bahl (Smile Group) -- How Can Start-ups Build Differentiators In A Cluttered Market?
nasscom startups · Harish Bahl
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