Top 20 Grants for AI Startups in Asia in 2025
As we step into 2025, the Asian startup ecosystem is increasingly recognizing the strategic significance of artificial intelligence (AI). With the rise of numerous funding opportunities for AI startups, this year promises to be pivotal. Here's a detailed look at the Top 20 Grants for AI Startups in Asia for 2025, including their focus areas, funding amounts, eligibility criteria, and links for more information.
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1. AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific (Google.org, AVPN, Asian Development Bank)
Funding Amount: $15 million USD
Focus: AI skills development and training for underserved workers
Target Organizations: Non-profits and social enterprises
Geographic Scope: Asia-Pacific region
Details: This fund aims to provide organizations with opportunities to equip individuals from marginalized communities with AI skills, promoting inclusive economic growth.
2. AI and Data Analytics (AIDA) Grant (Monetary Authority of Singapore - MAS)
Funding Amount: Capped at S$500,000 per project
Focus: Promoting AI adoption in the financial sector
Target Organizations: Singapore-based Financial Institutions and FinTechs
Support: Co-funding for qualifying expenses
Geographic Scope: Singapore
3. International Grant Calls (AI Singapore)
Funding Amount: Varies based on project
Focus: Collaborative AI research
Target: Research communities from Singapore and international institutions
Geographic Scope: Singapore and partnered countries
Details: Grants are offered for joint research projects with other nations, furthering AI development through cross-border collaborations.
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4. Smart Energy Innovation Fund (Asian Development Bank)
Funding Amount: Not specified
Focus: AI and digitalization for smart energy applications
Geographic Scope: Developing member countries of ADB
Objective: Improve energy access and decrease climate impact
Established: June 2021
5. Shenzhen AI Subsidies
Funding Amount: Tens of millions of dollars in subsidies
Focus: Promotion of AI development
Support: Cash subsidies for AI companies and workers
Geographic Scope: Shenzhen, China
Objective: Stimulate local AI growth
6. Deep Tech and AI Fund (Startup India)
Funding Amount: Up to ₹10 crore (approximately $1.3 million)
Focus: Support innovative deep tech projects, including AI
Target Organizations: Startups in India focusing on deep tech
Geographic Scope: India
Details: This fund aims to empower startups that are transforming sectors through advanced technologies.
7. AI Development Grant (NEDO, Japan)
Funding Amount: Varies based on project
Focus: Development of practical AI applications
Target Organizations: Private-sector companies and startups in Japan
Geographic Scope: Japan
Details: Supports innovative projects that are moving AI technology from research into practical applications.
8. Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) (Taiwan)
Funding Amount: Up to NT$10 million per project (approximately $330,000)
Focus: R&D projects in AI and technology
Target Organizations: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Taiwan
Geographic Scope: Taiwan
Details: Emphasizes innovation and aims to foster technological advancements within the local economy.
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9. Innovate UK (Extension to Asia)
Funding Amount: Varied based on application
Focus: Support for AI collaborations between UK and Asia-based startups
Target Organizations: UK businesses and their partners in Asia
Geographic Scope: UK and Asia
Details: Aims to enhance economic and technological collaboration, with a focus on innovative projects.
10. Asia Smart Cities Innovation Fund
Funding Amount: Up to $1 million
Focus: AI-driven solutions for urban development
Target Organizations: Startups focused on sustainable urban solutions
Geographic Scope: Various Asian countries
Details: This fund is targeted at projects that can enhance urban living through technology, including AI initiatives.
11. NSF AI-Driven Data and Decision Making Grants (USA-Taiwan Collaboration)
Funding Amount: Up to $500,000 for collaborative projects
Focus: Joint AI initiatives between the US and Taiwan
Target Organizations: AI research institutions in Taiwan
Geographic Scope: Taiwan and the USA
Details: Aims to foster collaboration in AI research and application in data-driven decision-making processes.
12. Digital India AI Fund
Funding Amount: Up to ₹5 crore (approximately $670,000)
Focus: Development of AI technologies for public good
Target Organizations: Startups and NGOs in India
Geographic Scope: India
Details: Encourages the adoption of AI solutions that can address social challenges across various sectors.
13. K-Startup Grand Challenge
Funding Amount: Up to $200,000 per selected startup
Focus: AI startups looking to expand to South Korea
Target Organizations: Global startups with AI innovations
Geographic Scope: South Korea
Details: Provides funding and growth opportunities for startups that wish to enter the South Korean market.
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14. BioAsia Innovation & Entrepreneurship Grant
Funding Amount: Up to $500,000
Focus: AI applications in healthcare and biotechnology
Target Organizations: Startups leveraging AI in health tech
Geographic Scope: Asia
Details: This grant specifically targets startups focusing on innovative healthcare solutions utilizing AI technology.
15. Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) Grants
Funding Amount: Varies based on project
Focus: Support for innovation and technology initiatives
Target Organizations: Startups in Hong Kong
Geographic Scope: Hong Kong
Details: Provides various funding options to startups that focus on technology-led innovations, including AI.
16. South East Asia AI Challenge Fund
Funding Amount: Up to $100,000
Focus: Development of AI solutions for regional development
Target Organizations: Startups and NGOs in Southeast Asia
Geographic Scope: Southeast Asia
Details: Encourages projects that utilize AI to address unique regional challenges, with an emphasis on sustainability.
17. China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fair (CIEF) AI Startup Grants
Funding Amount: Up to ¥1 million (approximately $150,000)
Focus: Support for innovative AI startups
Target Organizations: Startups participating in CIEF
Geographic Scope: China
Details: Offers grants for startups that showcase innovative AI projects during the annual fair.
18. AI Research Grant Program (IBM and Singapore Government)
Funding Amount: Up to SGD 1 million
Focus: Collaborative AI research in various sectors
Target Organizations: Research institutions and startups in Singapore
Geographic Scope: Singapore
Details: Aimed at advancing AI knowledge and applications through collaborative efforts between IBM and local talents.
19. ASEAN Digital Innovation Fund
Funding Amount: Varies per application
Focus: AI innovations promoting digital transformation
Target Organizations: Startups in ASEAN member states
Geographic Scope: ASEAN countries
Details: Funds projects that enhance digital capabilities, including artificial intelligence applications across industries.
20. Vietnam Innovation Network's AI Grant
Funding Amount: Up to 5 billion VND (approximately $220,000)
Focus: Innovative AI projects across sectors
Target Organizations: Startups and researchers in Vietnam
Geographic Scope: Vietnam
Details: Encourages research and collaboration in AI technology development with a focus on innovation.
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FAQ
Q: What is the AI Opportunity Fund in Asia-Pacific?
A: The AI Opportunity Fund is a $15 million initiative to support organizations providing AI skills training, particularly for underserved communities in the Asia-Pacific region. Read more about the AI Opportunity Fund.
Q: What is the maximum funding available through the AI and Data Analytics Grant in Singapore?
A: The AI and Data Analytics Grant, provided by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, offers co-funding for qualifying expenses, capped at S$500,000 per project. Learn more about the grant.
Q: How do international grant calls work for AI projects in Singapore?
A: International grant calls support collaborative AI research projects between Singaporean and international organizations based on national-level agreements, focusing on projects like "Leveraging AI for Healthy Ageing." Explore international grant calls.
Q: What is the purpose of the Smart Energy Innovation Fund?
A: The Smart Energy Innovation Fund aims to accelerate AI and digitalization technologies for smart energy applications in developing member countries of the Asian Development Bank. Find out more about the fund.
Q: What subsidies are available for AI companies in Shenzhen?
A: The Shenzhen municipal government provides cash subsidies for AI companies and workers to promote regional AI development, amounting to tens of millions of dollars. Read more about the subsidies.
Q: How is the AI fintech sector projected to grow in Asia by 2025?
A: The AI-driven fintech sector in Asia is expected to reach $65.5 billion in funding by 2025, with the number of AI fintech companies surpassing 7,200. Learn more about fintech growth projections.
Q: What challenges do startups face in securing funding in Asia?
A: Startups in Asia need to demonstrate scalability, secure favorable valuations, and compete against established tech players as they seek funding opportunities. Discover more about funding challenges.
Q: Which countries are emerging as leaders in AI fintech?
A: India, China, Singapore, and Israel are recognized as emerging powerhouses for AI fintech, particularly in Southeast Asia. Learn more about geographic leaders.
Q: What trends are influencing AI startup funding in Asia?
A: Key trends include a focus on applications over enablers, increasing investor scrutiny regarding scalability, and notable growth in generative AI funding within ASEAN. Explore insights into funding trends.
Q: What future trends are expected for venture capital funding in Asia?
A: Venture capital funding in Southeast Asia is anticipated to rebound as interest rates drop and IPO markets reopen, despite experiencing a decline recently. Read more about VC funding forecasts.
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.
