We’re Building a Different Kind of Holding Company
A permanent home for great SMEs. Grounded in values. Powered by global expertise and next-generation talent.
Just like the SMEs we will home, Timah is my life’s work. It’s my personal mission to build Timah into a generational solution to the SME succession crisis facing the region.
Dennis grew up in Singapore, surrounded by small businesses. His father left a corporate job to work in a relative’s small family business. His mother spent over 40 years as an in-house accountant for small businesses. Many of his childhood friends took over family businesses — often reluctantly, with little support or guidance.
After more than a decade working in the U.S. with world-class investors and operators — including Goldman Sachs, 3G Capital, Tiger Management, and D.E. Shaw — and helping build, from its earliest days, an investment firm focused on small- to mid-sized businesses, Dennis returned home to launch Timah Partners. He brings deep experience and knowledge of proven global playbooks to build a permanent holding company focused on preserving SME legacies in the region and training the next generation of local business leaders.
Dennis graduated top of his class from both Harvard Business School (MBA, Ford Scholar, Baker Scholar, Loeb Fellow) and Cornell University (BSc in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Merrill Presidential Scholar, Degree Marshall), and is an alumnus of Raffles Institution. He lives in Singapore with his wife, daughter, and dog.
Dennis Chua
Founder & CEO
Led and Supported By The Best.
Our investors and board members bring decades of hands-on operating expertise — including the founders of iconic global holding companies like Danaher, TransDigm, and 3G Capital; senior leaders from homegrown firms such as Grab, DBS Bank, Union Gas, and QuantEdge; and high-level public sector figures, including a former PAP politician and heads of key regulatory agencies like JTC and SLA.
Timah is built on a rare combination of global investing experience and deep regional insight. We’re supported by two boards — executive and advisory — made up of seasoned operators, investors, SME experts, academics, and former government leaders. Each member brings a distinct perspective, skill set, and lived experience. Together, they provide the strategic depth, operational expertise, and long-term mindset to help us win — not just over years, but over decades.
Executive Board
Dennis Chua
Luo Zuo
Advisory Board
Boon Khai Tan
What We Stand For
Our values guide every hiring decision, acquisition, and leadership move. They're the heartbeat of Timah.
Long Live Decentralization
Empower entrepreneurship within clear boundaries. Treat people like owners, not resources.
Keep Score
Measure what matters. Trust, but verify. Always hold ourselves accountable.
Team Sport
We win together. Shared success beats “eat what you kill.”
Long-Term Greedy
Play the long game. Focus on compounding value — not chasing quick wins.
Get Sh*t Done
Bias toward action. Prioritize execution and progress over perfection.
Born in Singapore. Built for the Region.
We’re starting in Singapore — where SME succession challenges are most urgent, the business ecosystem is world-class, and the opportunities are real. But our long-term vision is regional.
Southeast Asia is home to almost 70 million SMEs, many about to face the same succession issues. Over time, we’ll expand thoughtfully — building on what we’ve learned and staying true to our model: permanent ownership, operational excellence, and unmatched stewardship.
FAQ
What kind of businesses does Timah acquire?
We acquire enduring, growing, and highly cash-generating B2B businesses — typically with recurring revenues, strong customer retention, and deep operational moats. We don’t pursue distressed companies, early-stage startups, or commodity-driven sectors.
How are acquisitions underwritten?
Every deal is carefully evaluated and approved by our executive board — made up of world-class investors and business leaders. We maintain a high bar and only pursue businesses that align with our long-term ownership model and operating principles.
What makes Timah an attractive credit partner?
Our companies generate strong, recurring cash flows and are acquired with prudent levels of debt. In today’s low-yield environment, we expect our debt offerings to be attractive relative to similar local fixed income options — backed by disciplined stewardship and real operating depth.
Who do you partner with on financing?
We work with commercial banks, private lenders, value-added family offices, and in some cases, the sellers themselves. This flexible capital base helps us structure transactions that are efficient, respectful, and built to last.
We’d love to
hear from you.
Whether you’re an SME owner, a future SME leader, or a partner who shares our mission.