Adrian Hia is the investment director and one of the pioneer team members of regional firm Kairous Capital. When he was only 24 years old, he helped the company to obtain its investment license in Hong Kong and Malaysia. It was the first Malaysian firm to acquire private-equity management corporation and asset-management licenses. Today, the venture-capital firm, which invests in Greater China and South Asia in a wide range of industries—from fintech and e-commerce to artificial intelligence—has about US$50 million in assets under its management.

Hailing from Teluk Intan, Perak, Hia started out his higher education in the pure sciences before deciding to study law. But after graduating with a degree from University of Liverpool, UK, he became tired of law and quickly discovered an interest in the business of venture capital.

Fuelled by his naturally analytical mind and an interest in learning, since joining Kairous, Hia has successfully made over more than 10 investments, notably in Malaysian parking-payment app JomParking, which he helped expand into Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and the Middle East. He also spearheaded investment in a Chinese med-tech start-up, SkinRub, and made it profitable in six months. In 2020, he was named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in Asia.