Advising across industries including tech, digital assets, and life sciences, CMS acts for a diverse clientele which includes emerging companies and start-ups. The group handles matters relating to venture capital and debt on a cross-jurisdictional basis. Toby Grainger leads the team, advising on the full spectrum of startup and emerging company transactions — from pre-seed and bootstrapped rounds through to late-stage and pre-IPO financings. Gerald Licnachan is noted for his particular focus on growth capital transactions, venture capital and investment platforms.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘CMS has significant experience supporting startup fundraising and related legal work, and understands market practice for Singapore deals. They are highly responsive, which is critical for fast-moving startup and scale-up businesses.’
- ‘Toby is an excellent resource for entrepreneurs, and seeks opportunities to value-add beyond the legal transaction.'
- ‘CMS Singapore stands out for its exceptional flexibility and client-centered approach. What makes the practice unique is its ability to deeply understand the dynamics, needs, and limitations of client teams—especially valuable for fast-moving or resource-constrained businesses.'
- '‘The individuals at CMS Singapore distinguish themselves through a rare combination of legal expertise, commercial awareness, and adaptability. More than just technical advisors, they operate as true partners to our business—pragmatic, responsive, and solutions-driven.'
- ‘CMS Singapore’s Start-up and Venture Capital team offers sharp legal expertise paired with deep commercial insight into the fast-evolving start-up landscape in Southeast Asia. They are particularly strong in cross-border transactions, demonstrating fluency in both regional complexities and global market standards.'
- ‘Toby Grainger is commercially minded, strategic, and calm under pressure. He consistently adds value beyond the legal work, advising thoughtfully on structure, negotiation, and risk.'
Key clients
- ShopBack (Ecommerce Enablers Pte. Ltd.)
- Roojai (Ignite Thailand Holdings Limited)
- Ocean 14 Capital Fund
- Gupshup Inc.
- AC Ventures
- AgFunder
- Alesca Life
- Ampotech
- Stride Ventures
- Coinswitch Kuber
- Genashtim
- Good Startup
Work highlights
Advised Ampotech, a Singapore-based energy management solutions provider, on its Series A fundraising round (combining direct equity with a convertible instrument) funded by Clime Capital.
Advised SBI Ventures in relation to its $10 million convertible loan note investment in M-KOPA Holdings Limited, the UK incorporated holding company for M-KOPA's operations in Africa as a digital microfinance platform.
Advised Sirka Science on the extension of its convertible note fundraising round.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Toby Grainger
Other key lawyers
Gerald Licnachan