Vishal Harnal

500 Global

Vishal is a Global Managing Partner at 500 Global. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, 500 Global is a venture capital firm with more than $3.2 billion in AUM that invests early in founders building fast-growing technology companies. To date, 500 Global has invested in over 2600 companies across 81 countries. The aggregate value of our portfolio companies is over $368 billion.

Vishal also leads 500's investments across Southeast Asia. The funds he manages have invested in over 200 companies across multiple verticals from consumer to enterprise to deep tech. Some (now large) investments include Grab (NASDAQ: GRAB), Bukalapak (IDX: BUKA), Prenetics, Carousell, Carsome, RedDoorz, Finaccel, Gilmour Space, Stockbit / Bibit, eFishery among many others.

Vishal gives back primarily through teaching. He is a Kauffman Fellow and has also taught programmes and classes on venture capital and entrepreneurship at Stanford, INSEAD and the Singapore-MIT Alliance. He sits on the expert panel of the Wealth Management Institute of Singapore, and is also an office-bearer at the Singapore Venture Capital and Private Equity Association.

Vishal frequently speaks and advises on venture capital investing, board and management related issues, and the large sweeping trends in technology and humanity. His opinions are aired on premier news networks such as Bloomberg and CNBC. He also hosts a podcast, The Unreasonable Podcast, covering the latest trends in venture, investing and global affairs.

Prior to his career in venture, Vishal practiced law at a top-tier firm where he specialised in resolving complex and high-stakes international investment, shareholder and political disputes. He is also no stranger to entrepreneurship, having built an education company while still in law school.

Outside of venture capital, Vishal is passionate about the arts, education, aging and longevity, and both the spiritual and scientific exploration of the human mind.

Education, Personal, and Fellowship

Vishal attended the National University of Singapore and received a Bachelor of Laws, with Honors, from the university's Faculty of Law. He was also a member of the inaugural class of Stanford University's Venture Capital Unlocked program, jointly organized with 500 Startups.

Vishal served his fellowship at 500 Startups as a member of Class 22. His mentors were Hian Goh (Class 20), Founding Partner of NSI Ventures, as well as 500 Startups Managing Partner Khailee Ng.