Top 15 Grants for Deeptech Startups in Asia in 2025
Asia's deep tech ecosystem is rapidly evolving, with numerous funding opportunities designed to bolster innovative startups. In 2025, deep tech startups can leverage a variety of grants and funding programs tailored to their sector, including biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and robotics. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the Top 15 Grants for Deeptech Startups in Asia in 2025, detailing their features, funding amounts, and administrative bodies.
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1. Startup SG Equity (Singapore)
Description: A co-investment scheme aimed at enhancing private funding in deep tech startups by pairing government investment with private venture funds.
Funding Amount: Up to S$12 million (approximately US$9 million) per startup.
Focus Areas: Targets deep tech startups with a potential for global scaling, covering stages from seed to Series B and C.
Administered By: Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
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2. National Graduate Research Innovation Programme (Grip) (Singapore)
Description: A new incubator program for supporting deep tech startups, focusing on research and innovation.
Funding Amount: A total of S$50 million fund over five years, set to launch in January 2025.
Focus Areas: Emphasizes AI, space, smart city technologies, and semiconductors. Aims to nurture 300 startups by 2028.
Program Duration: 12-month incubation program designed for startup growth.
Administered By: National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
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3. Startup SG Tech (Singapore)
Description: Provides grants for the commercialization of innovative technologies with high potential for disruption.
Funding Amount: Grants of up to S$500,000, covering 70% of qualified project costs.
Focus Areas: Deep tech sectors, including biotechnology, cleantech, and advanced manufacturing.
Eligible Costs: Includes expenses for manpower, equipment, and materials necessary for project execution.
Administered By: Enterprise Singapore.
4. Startup SG Founder (Singapore)
Description: Aimed at first-time entrepreneurs, this program provides funding and mentorship support.
Funding Amount: Up to S$50,000 with a 1:1 matching grant structure.
Eligibility: At least two Singaporean or permanent resident founders with a minimum of 30% equity in the startup.
Support Structure: Includes mentorship from government-approved partners like incubators or venture builders.
Administered By: Enterprise Singapore.
5. Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) (Singapore)
Description: Supports Singapore businesses in upgrading capabilities, innovating, and expanding overseas.
Funding Amount: Covers up to 70% of eligible costs for SMEs (50% for non-SMEs).
Coverage: Eligible expenses include consultancy fees, equipment, and internal manpower for innovation projects.
Eligibility: Must be registered and operating in Singapore with a minimum of 30% local shareholding.
Administered By: Enterprise Singapore.
6. SGInnovate Investments & Grants (Singapore)
Description: Focuses on deep tech sectors such as AI, biotech, robotics, and quantum computing, offering both investment and grant support.
Funding Structure: Provides equity investments alongside access to resources like mentorship, labs, and corporate partnerships.
Focus Areas: Aims to foster unique tech innovations with potential for global market entrances.
Network Benefits: Strong connections within Singapore's innovation ecosystem to facilitate growth.
Administered By: SGInnovate.
7. EIC Accelerator & STEP Scale-Up Program (European Union)
Description: Part of the European Innovation Council’s funding program targeting international collaborations, applicable to Asian startups.
Funding Amount: Total budget of €1.4 billion allocated in 2025, with STEP Scale-Up providing up to €30 million per company.
Focus Areas: Focuses on digital technology, net-zero innovations, and biotechnology breakthroughs.
Sector Targeting: Relevant to startups in AI, agritech, and space industries.
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8. Singapore Climate Ventures (Singapore)
Description: Initiative aimed at accelerating climate technology innovations across Southeast Asia.
Partnership Entities: Launched by major educational institutions including NTU, NUS, and Temasek.
Focus Areas: Climate change solutions and sustainable tech innovations.
9. Horizon Europe (EU)
Description: A robust research and innovation program with possibilities for international collaboration, including with Asian partners.
Funding Structure: Extensive funding allocated for collaborative projects across sectors, including deep tech.
Focus Areas: Addresses global challenges related to climate, energy, digital economies, and health.
10. Startup Mahakumbh (India)
Description: A major event focusing on startup innovation and entrepreneurship, heavily featuring deep tech advancements.
Event Dates: April 3-5, 2025, in New Delhi.
Focus Areas: Showcases various sectors, including DeepTech, AI, and cybersecurity.
11. APAC Deep Tech Initiative (Asia-Pacific Region)
Description: A funding initiative aimed at boosting deep tech innovation across Asia-Pacific countries.
Funding Amount: Not publicly disclosed, varies by project scope and impact potential.
Focus Areas: Emphasizes digital innovation, AI, and sustainability projects.
Eligibility: Open to startups across APAC, with a strong emphasis on collaborative research.
Administered By: Various government and private sector collaborators across Asia-Pacific.
12. Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (Singapore)
Description: A government initiative to encourage innovation in digital solutions among startups.
Funding Amount: Details vary; grants can cover project implementation costs.
Focus Areas: Emphasizes smart city technologies, AI, and community-centric solutions.
Eligibility: Open to registered startups focused on enhancing digital government initiatives.
13. Asia Innovation Challenge (Various Asian Countries)
Description: A contest aimed at fostering innovative solutions to social challenges, accepting submissions from deep tech sectors.
Funding Amount: Prizes vary based on challenges; some winners can receive significant financial support and mentorship.
Focus Areas: Varied social challenges which can be addressed through technology.
Eligibility: Open to startups across Asia that focus on impactful solutions.
14. China Innovation Challenge
Description: A national initiative aimed at identifying top technological talents and solutions that can be scaled.
Funding Amount: Significant financial rewards for winners, alongside support in scaling solutions.
Focus Areas: Encompasses areas including AI, environment technology, and advanced materials.
Eligibility: Open to all registered startups focused on innovation in technology.
15. ASEAN Smart Cities Network Grant
Description: A collaborative effort to transform Southeast cities through smart technology adoptions.
Funding Amount: Varies by city projects; funding generally aimed at tangible impacts through technology integration.
Focus Areas: Smart city innovations that enhance urban living and sustainability.
Eligibility: Open to startups working with local municipalities across ASEAN nations.
This list embodies key funding opportunities available for deeptech startups in Asia in 2025, underscoring the region's commitment to supporting technological innovation and entrepreneurship. Startups are encouraged to explore these avenues thoroughly for funding and growth potential.
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FAQ
Q: What is Startup SG Equity?
A: Startup SG Equity is a program designed to boost private sector investment in deep tech startups by co-investing alongside the Singapore government, with a total funding of approximately US$332 million. Learn more about Startup SG Equity.
Q: How much funding does the National Graduate Research Innovation Programme (Grip) provide?
A: Grip offers a $50 million fund over five years, supporting deep tech startups in areas such as AI, space, and smart city technologies. Discover more about Grip.
Q: What is the funding limit for the Startup SG Tech grant?
A: The Startup SG Tech grant allows for funding of up to S$500,000, covering up to 70% of qualifying costs for innovative, potentially disruptive technologies. Check out Startup SG Tech details.
Q: What support does the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) offer?
A: The EDG supports Singapore-based businesses by covering up to 70% of qualifying costs for SMEs to enhance capabilities and innovate. Learn more about EDG.
Q: What is the purpose of the Startup Mahakumbh event in India?
A: Startup Mahakumbh is a major startup event focused on showcasing innovation across various sectors, including deep tech, AI, and space technology. The event will take place from April 3-5, 2025, in New Delhi. Discover more about Startup Mahakumbh.
Q: What does SGInnovate Investments & Grants focus on?
A: SGInnovate Investments & Grants aims to support deep tech startups in areas like AI, biotech, and robotics by offering equity investments and access to a strong network and mentorship. Explore SGInnovate.
Q: How much funding is the EIC Accelerator providing?
A: The EIC Accelerator provides up to €30 million per company and forms part of a larger €1.4 billion fund for deep tech startups and research in 2025. Learn more about EIC Accelerator.
Q: What kind of projects does Horizon Europe support?
A: Horizon Europe supports collaborative projects addressing global challenges in sectors like climate, energy, and health, with significant funding for deep tech innovations. Check out Horizon Europe.
Q: What does the Singapore Climate Ventures initiative focus on?
A: Singapore Climate Ventures is an initiative aimed at accelerating climate tech innovation in Southeast Asia through collaborative partnerships. Learn more about Singapore Climate Ventures.
Q: How does the Startup SG Founder program help first-time founders?
A: The Startup SG Founder program assists first-time founders by offering up to S$50,000 in a 1:1 matching grant along with mentorship from government-appointed partners. Discover more about Startup SG Founder.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
