Empyrean Sky Partners Secures $90 Million in Record-Breaking First Close for Technology Fund

Empyrean Sky Partners (ESP) announced the completion of the fastest first close of 2026, raising US$90 million for its Global Technology Fund. The Singapore-headquartered firm aims to reach a total of US$200 million to support growth-stage companies. These investments focus on the convergence of artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced manufacturing systems expected to reshape global productivity. The fund is co-managed with Lion X Ventures, the technology venture partner of OCBC Bank. This partnership combines growth-stage expertise with a vast venture network and institutional financial support. Founders gain not only capital but also critical access to global networks and operational guidance to accelerate commercialization.

A strategic partnership with Dreame Technology further distinguishes the fund by providing portfolio companies with deep industrial insights. This collaboration allows startups to leverage Dreame’s engineering expertise and go-to-market capabilities. Such access is intended to accelerate the transition from laboratory innovation to global market deployment across multiple sectors.

The rapid execution of the first close reflects significant investor appetite for platforms that integrate AI with physical systems. Institutional investors and family offices have committed to the fund, noting ESP's specific track record in the hardware sector. The firm's ability to offer access to industrial ecosystems serves as a key differentiator in a competitive venture market.

Ming Lei, Chairman and Founding Partner of ESP, emphasized the fund's commitment to building the next generation of intelligent systems. Lei has previously backed successful ventures including NIO Inc. and POP MART. He noted that the fund provides long-term capital and global access to help founders scale their impact effectively. CEO of Lion X Ventures, Irene Guo, stated that modern transformative technology is designed to be global from day one. The fund's focus on businesses integrating software intelligence with advanced hardware positions it well within Asia's innovation hub. Target sectors include logistics automation, smart devices, and industrial manufacturing solutions for the next industrial era.