startups

The region’s start-up scene shows strength in weathering the sector’s global slowdown, with fintechs emerging as top performers. Financing the future remains crucial and Asia's regional capital markets are demonstrating how to move forward.

The fund offers exposure to Southeast Asia-headquartered start-ups via the digital exchange, with commitments starting from $20,000.

Australia is home to start-up success stories ranging from Atlassian to Canva. Its community attributes the sheer “scrappiness” of the country’s founders to being exactly what sets them apart from their global peers. Emerging is a new wave that includes Gilmour Space Technologies, with its sights set on putting humans on the moon.

Indonesia is the largest economy in Southeast Asia and home to tech success stories like GoTo and Bukalapak, but thanks to the market’s size and scale, we are only at the very beginning of its start-up story.

Less than a fifth of startup funding in Southeast Asia last year went to firms co-founded by women, highlighting a stark gender financing gap.

The region is home to 35 unicorns and counting, with fintech and e-commerce companies having raised the most funds, so far. With the public markets taking notice of the sector’s vast potential, 2022 could promise more listings in the line-up.

Vietnam is emerging as a major tech ecosystem hub and provides a viable alternative investment pipeline to China, in the context of ongoing regulatory crackdown. And if it’s an indication of the country’s ambitions, start-ups like Loship are chasing the dream of ringing the US opening bell.

Being cashflow positive is crucial for start-ups and while the pandemic has made this more challenging, lessons learned help fuel the positive Southeast Asian outlook.

The past seven days have seen five investments in electronic cigarette manufacturers in China, including one that reached $40 million.