Top investor and advisor questions in SEA

Emerging themes from investor and advisory conversations

As deal activity and strategic investments continue to evolve across Southeast Asia, investors, consultants, and corporates are increasingly seeking deeper, real-time insights to inform their decisions.

Following the integration of Sealed Network into the Uzabase group, Speeda has expanded its capabilities to provide on-demand access to industry experts alongside its existing data and market intelligence platform (Speeda). This combined approach enables more nuanced understanding of sector dynamics, especially in fast-moving or opaque markets.

Below, we highlight some of the recent questions raised by market participants, using the data center sector as an example to illustrate how expert insights can support investment and consultants workflows.

How expert insights translate into real-world decision-making

Top industry questions &  Example of expert responses

Recent inquiries from private equity firms, consulting teams, and corporates have focused on areas such as data center. To address these questions, expert consultations can provide practical, experience-based perspectives.

Expert background: Ex-Microsoft, Former Sub-regional Planning Lead – DC EPC Project Controls

• How are HVAC decision-making responsibilities split between owners/operators, MEP consultants, EPCs and integrators across project stages?
  • “I work closely with owners/operators on cooling strategy definition, align MEP consultants during concept and DD, and support EPCs and system integrators through constructability, procurement, and commissioning—decision rights typically shifting from owner-led strategy to EPC-led execution post design freeze.”
• How do HVAC procurement workflows differ for hyperscale new builds, colocation expansions and live retrofits from spec freeze to PO?
  • “Hyperscale new builds follow early vendor engagement with long-lead lock-ins at 30–60% design, while collocation expansions and retrofits compress timelines with later freezes; PO issuance generally follows spec freeze, commercial alignment, and site-specific risk clearance.”
• How do power availability, PUE targets, energy costs, sustainability needs and permits shape cooling architecture across DC types?
  • “Cooling architecture is primarily shaped by power availability and PUE targets, with energy cost, sustainability commitments, and local permitting constraints driving trade-offs between air, hybrid, and liquid solutions—especially pronounced in expansions and retrofits.”
• What are typical HVAC scopes and CAPEX per MW of IT load by DC type, and how do air, hybrid and liquid cooling solutions compare?
  • “HVAC CAPEX typically scales per MW of IT load and varies materially by cooling architecture, redundancy philosophy, and delivery model, with air systems at the lower end and liquid or hybrid solutions carrying higher integration and balance-of-plant costs.”
• Key technical, commercial and reference criteria for HVCA supplier qualification and selection
  • “Supplier selection balances proven reliability, efficiency, and delivery capability for core equipment, while emerging solutions like liquid cooling place greater emphasis on system integration clarity, reference deployments, and operational risk mitigation. “

Supporting investment and strategy with expert insights

Across Asia, access to deep subject matter insights is becoming increasingly important for:

• Commercial due diligence and market validation
• Deal sourcing and investment thesis development
• Operational benchmarking and value creation planning
• Corporate strategy and market entry assessments

By combining proprietary data with direct access to industry experts, Speeda supports more informed and timely decision-making. Explore how expert insights can support your projects, please submit the form to talk to us.