Southeast Asia is in the middle of a transformative year for startups. In 2025, the region has seen a remarkable combination of strategic funding, groundbreaking innovations, and visionary founders reshaping industries from artificial intelligence to robotics, FinTech, health tech, and space technology.
This ASEAN Startup Funding Report captures the real momentum behind Southeast Asia’s startup boom in 2025, spotlighting where capital is flowing, which sectors are winning, and why founders across the region are scaling faster than ever.
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Investors from Asia, the United States, and Europe are actively exploring opportunities, signaling that ASEAN is rapidly establishing itself as a global hub for entrepreneurial excellence.
This report dives deep into funding trends, sector highlights, founder stories, and predictions for 2026, offering insights for founders, investors, and enthusiasts who want to understand the region’s dynamic startup landscape.
Funding Landscape Across ASEAN
The first half of 2025 saw total startup funding in Southeast Asia reach approximately $1.85 billion, representing a moderation compared to the surge years earlier in the decade. While overall deal volume decreased slightly, the average deal size increased, demonstrating investor preference for startups with proven business models and measurable growth.
Singapore continues to dominate the region’s capital flow. AI and enterprise-focused startups are leading, attracting the largest checks. The city-state has established itself as a regional headquarters for many high-growth startups, benefiting from government support, a mature ecosystem, and strong infrastructure.
Vietnam is another notable player. Healthcare and enterprise technology startups are gaining significant attention, with investors recognizing the potential of scalable solutions that address regional challenges. The Philippines has experienced a unique shift in 2025, raising more funding than Indonesia in the first half of the year, highlighting the growing vibrancy of its startup ecosystem.
Malaysia and Thailand continue to attract capital, particularly in sustainability and AI-focused solutions, while Indonesia has seen a focus on FinTech and space startups, demonstrating a diverse investment landscape across the region.
Sector Highlights
Artificial Intelligence
AI remains the backbone of innovation in ASEAN. Startups are leveraging AI to optimize logistics, enhance financial decision-making, and improve healthcare diagnostics. Singapore-based AI startups, for example, are deploying autonomous decision engines for enterprise clients, while Vietnamese startups focus on predictive models for agriculture and healthcare. The AI sector’s funding share continues to grow, emphasizing its strategic importance for the region.
Robotics and Automation
Robotics is gaining momentum across Southeast Asia. Thailand and Singapore are developing industrial and humanoid robots that enhance manufacturing and logistics processes. Investors are increasingly drawn to startups that combine robotics with artificial intelligence, creating solutions that are both innovative and scalable. Robotics remains a sector with enormous growth potential, especially as ASEAN economies seek to modernize industrial capabilities.
FinTech
Despite a modest slowdown in overall FinTech funding, the average deal size has increased, reflecting a focus on startups with clear profitability and product-market fit. Voice-enabled banking, embedded financial services, and blockchain solutions are attracting investor interest, particularly in Singapore and Indonesia. ASEAN’s FinTech startups are not only driving financial inclusion but are also setting benchmarks for innovation in emerging markets.
HealthTech
Healthcare startups in Vietnam, the Philippines, and Singapore continue to attract significant investment. AI-driven diagnostics, telemedicine platforms, and predictive healthcare models are among the areas receiving the most attention. Investors are increasingly valuing startups that deliver tangible outcomes and measurable impact on the healthcare system.
Space Technology
ASEAN’s space sector is emerging as a unique investment opportunity. Malaysia and Indonesia are home to startups building commercial satellite networks and developing infrastructure for orbital services. These startups are bridging the gap between innovation and regional capability, attracting both local and international funding.
Key Funding Highlights of 2025
The year has already produced several noteworthy deals that demonstrate the breadth and ambition of ASEAN startups:
- Singapore-based insurtech startup Bolttech raised over $100 million in a Series C round, reaching a valuation of $2.1 billion.
- FinTech startup Kiwi secured $24 million in funding from Vertex Ventures and other key backers, expanding its voice-enabled banking services across Southeast Asia.
- NeuralGrid, an AI startup in Singapore, raised $120 million in Series B funding to develop autonomous decision engines for enterprise logistics and finance.
- GreenAI in Vietnam raised $50 million in Series A to scale its predictive agricultural solutions powered by artificial intelligence.
- SpaceHarbor in Indonesia secured $60 million in seed funding to build the country’s first commercial spaceport ecosystem.
- HealthLink in the Philippines raised $45 million to enhance predictive healthcare diagnostics and telemedicine capabilities.
- Unitree Robotics in Thailand raised $70 million to expand humanoid and industrial robot deployments.
- CodeWave, a Singapore-based low-code/no-code platform, raised $100 million in Series B funding to serve Fortune 500 clients.
- EdTech Revolution in the Philippines raised $40 million to expand AI-powered learning platforms for schools and universities.
- SkyForge in Malaysia raised $90 million to develop commercial satellite data services, establishing ASEAN’s foothold in the space economy.
These deals reflect a growing trend: investors are prioritizing late-stage, revenue-validated startups over early-stage ventures, emphasizing sustainable growth over speculative investments.
Founder Stories Driving Change
Behind every major deal are visionary founders who are reshaping industries and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs:
- Dr. Aisha Raman, founder of NeuralGrid in Singapore, is building AI systems that revolutionize logistics and financial decision-making.
- Nguyen Thanh of GreenAI in Vietnam is transforming sustainable agriculture with predictive analytics.
- Takumi Sato, founder of SkyForge in Malaysia, is creating commercial satellite services accessible across Southeast Asia.
- Maria Lopez of HealthLink in the Philippines is advancing predictive healthcare diagnostics and telemedicine solutions.
- Siti Rahma, founder of FinVoice in Indonesia, is redefining mobile banking and financial inclusion with voice-enabled services.
These founders illustrate a broader pattern: ASEAN startups are not only innovative but also resilient, scalable, and globally competitive.
Investor Insights
Key investors are shaping the ASEAN ecosystem and providing guidance beyond capital:
- Titan Capital Partners focuses on AI and deep technology investments across Southeast Asia.
- Apex Aerospace Ventures invests in space startups and satellite technology.
- Nova Ventures targets FinTech and generative AI startups with global potential.
- Global Orbital Fund supports commercial space infrastructure projects in ASEAN.
- Horizon Equity focuses on late-stage investments in robotics and AI platforms.
These investors are essential to creating a robust and sustainable startup ecosystem, providing mentorship, strategic advice, and access to international networks.
What the Future Holds for ASEAN Startups
Looking ahead, 2026 promises further growth and evolution:
- AI-driven automation will continue to dominate enterprise applications.
- Robotics and humanoid systems will expand beyond industrial applications into retail, healthcare, and logistics.
- Space technology startups will scale commercial satellite services and build regional space infrastructure.
- Cross-border partnerships, particularly between ASEAN countries and India or China, will drive new funding opportunities.
- Sustainable technology will become a key differentiator for startups seeking larger funding rounds.
ASEAN’s startup ecosystem is maturing, shifting from rapid growth at all costs to quality growth and sustainable scaling. Investors are prioritizing startups with measurable results, clear revenue models, and strong operational foundations.
The ASEAN startup funding landscape in 2025 demonstrates strategic resilience, innovation, and global ambition. Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines are leading the region with a mix of AI brilliance, robotics innovation, and space technology breakthroughs. Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia are also contributing through niche sectors like sustainability, FinTech, and enterprise infrastructure.
This pillar content is designed to provide founders, investors, and ecosystem partners with a comprehensive understanding of ASEAN startup trends, funding patterns, and sector opportunities. With strategic investments, visionary founders, and supportive government policies, ASEAN is poised to continue its rise as a global startup powerhouse.
For further insights on global venture trends and regional funding, you can explore Global Venture Capital Insights and DealStreetAsia for updated reports and data
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