Mekong Enterprise Fund IV invested US$8.8 million into Livespo Global

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (12 July 2021) – Mekong Capital announces that Mekong Enterprise Fund IV has invested $8.8 million USD into LiveSpo Global.

LiveSpo Global is an innovative consumer health product company, specializing in LiveSpo’s Spores Probiotics Technology – producing spore-based probiotics in liquid form, multi-strains, and high concentration.

Probiotics are made of health-promoting live bacteria and/or yeasts that naturally live in humans’ bodies. The most common and convenient forms of probiotic products are powder or capsules. These kinds of products require a long time for the helpful bacteria to be absorbed while most probiotics cannot survive in the acidic gastric environment of the stomach before reaching and improving the intestinal system.

Spore-based probiotics, on the other hand, are bacteria in the ‘hibernation’ state. In this state, they are covered by a naturally protective shell that safeguards the cell through the digestive tract. Therefore, they are resistant to the temperature up to 80°C, and resistant to acid (pH2 – pH4), which helps the probiotics safely pass through the stomach acid, then the spores germinate and become effective after entering the intestines.

LiveSpo’s Spores Probiotics Technology can formulate spore-based probiotics in liquid form for faster absorption along with producing a combination of multi-strains of probiotics and high concentration, from around 2 billion per 5ml, up to more than 5 billion of spores probiotics per 5ml, which can enhance the treatment of intestinal diseases’ symptoms, especially the colon.

Last but not least, LiveSpo’s Spores Probiotics Technology can be applied in industrial scale, enabling the company to expand its business not only in the domestic market but also exporting to more than 20 countries in the world.

Dr. Nguyen Hoa Anh, Chairman of LiveSpo Global, said:

“An antibiotic-free future has always been a dream I’ve wanted to realize since I started Spores Probiotics Technology research. This is the first milestone of LiveSpo Global’s mission: to revolutionize the way consumers care for health with spore-based probiotics. Mekong Capital is a reputable investor with successful experience in many well-known investments, which reinforces our confidence in choosing Mekong Capital as our partner on this mission fulfillment journey.”

Mr. Chris Freund, Partner of Mekong Capital, said:

“LiveSpo Global’s vision to make the health benefits of spore-based probiotics available to all households in Vietnam is a vision in which Mekong Capital is very connected and engaged. Before meeting LiveSpo Global I had already been very interested in the health benefits of maintaining a healthy microbiome, but I have also learned so much as a result of our engagement with LiveSpo Global about the broader applications of naturally occurring probiotics in areas such as skin health, reducing the need for antibiotics, reducing cholesterol levels and even maintaining mental health^[1]. I’ve also understood why spore-based probiotics are much more effective than other probiotic delivery methods. So, I am very excited about the potential of spore-based probiotics, and to work together with the founders of LiveSpo Global, Dr. Nguyen Hoa Anh, Mr. Duong Song Ha and Mr. Dang Quoc Hung, to achieve LiveSpo Global’s vision.”

[1] Probiotics May Help You Lose Weight and Belly Fat

About LiveSpo Global

LiveSpo Global, formerly known as ANABIO R&D, was founded in 2010, by a group of 3 founders, with proprietary technology developed by Dr. Nguyen Hoa Anh. After 15 years of studying and working in molecular biology at Tohoku University, Japan, Dr. Nguyen Hoa Anh returned to Vietnam in 2010.

After months working around the clock, in 2013, the first commercial spore-based probiotics in water form was launched. This technology surpassed all the disadvantages of traditional probiotics: multi-strains, high concentration, resistant to temperature up to 80^oC, and resistant to acid, even at pH2, the acid level in the stomach.

In 2014, LiveSpo Global began to export its products to many countries in the world. Since then, they continued to expand their main product line of spore-based liquid probiotic supplements for digestive disorder as well as diversify their categories to a wider range of other products for respiratory, skin care, acne treatment, etc.

LiveSpo Global’s domestic revenue comes from the pharmacy channel and online company’s website. As for export, they promote online sales to the US and Europe via Amazon.com.

Looking forward, LiveSpo Global aims to become a digitalized pharmaceutical company that revolutionizes the way consumers care for health with spore probiotics.

LiveSpo Global is the fourth investee company announced by Mekong Enterprise Fund IV.

For more information, please visit the firm’s website at livespo.com

About Mekong Capital & Mekong Enterprise Fund IV

Established in 2001, Mekong Capital has the most extensive private equity track record in Vietnam. Their funds have completed 42 private equity investments, of which 28 have been fully exited. Mekong Capital has advised 5 funds, and 2 is currently active.

Mekong Capital’s investee companies have typically been among the fastest-growing companies in Vietnam’s consumer-driven sectors such as retail, restaurants, consumer products and education. Some of their well-known investment successes include Mobile World, Phu Nhuan Jewelry (PNJ), ICP, Golden Gate, Vietnam Australia International School (VAS), Masan Consumer, Traphaco, Pharmacity, F88, YOLA, Pizza 4P’s, Vua Nem, ABA Cooltrans and Nhat Tin Logistics.

Mekong Enterprise Fund IV is a private equity fund launched in January 2021 and currently has US$246 million in committed capital. Mekong Enterprise Fund IV will continue Mekong Capital’s successful strategy of investing in growth-equity investments in Vietnamese companies and exclusively in proven consumer-driven sectors that benefit from the growth in Vietnamese consumer demand and the adoption of modern business practices. The Fund will focus on retail, education, restaurants, consumer services, FMCG, and health care.

Mekong Enterprise Fund IV applies Mekong Capital’s Transformational Private Equity approach and the Vision Driven Investing framework with an intention to fulfill its commitment for each investee company to achieve its vision.