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Startup Cities in Asia (2027): 20 Best Cities for Early-Stage Startups, With the Programmes and Startup Visas to Use

The Best Asian Cities for Early-Stage Startups and the Programmes and Visas to Use There

Asian startup cities differ a lot: some are built around huge home markets, others actively attract foreign founders with startup visas and incubators that take applications from anywhere. This guide covers 20 startup cities from Singapore and Bengaluru to Tokyo, Seoul, Shenzhen, Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City. The order follows StartupBlink's Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026, with the Startup Genome Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2026 (GSER) added where it names the city. For each city we list the incubators, accelerators and founder visas an early-stage founder can actually use, checked on their own websites in November 2026. We removed the rankings, investment and real-estate claims that the older version of this list repeated without a source.
Quick answer: Beijing and Shanghai are still Asia's highest-ranked startup cities, but both shrank by about a fifth in StartupBlink's 2026 data. Singapore entered the global top 10 for the first time and is the easiest place in Asia for a foreign founder to start, with the EntrePass and a large incubator network. India now has three cities in the global top 20 (New Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai), Tokyo and Seoul lead in Japan and Korea, and the fastest growth is in the Taipei Tech Corridor, Hanoi and Hyderabad. Pick the city where your first customers are and where a programme will actually accept you, not the one with the biggest headline number.
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Asia's Startup Cities at a Glance

CityStartupBlink rank 2026Startups trackedWhat to look at
Beijing#62,354Tsinghua x-lab
Shanghai#81,988Hardware and IoT, transportation
Singapore#103,943EntrePass, Startup SG, NUSX B71
New Delhi#114,917Startup India recognition, FITT (IIT Delhi)
Bengaluru#123,840NSRCEL (IIM Bangalore), Women Startup Program
Tokyo#133,096Tokyo Innovation Base, Tokyo Startup Visa
Mumbai#192,328SINE (IIT Bombay)
Seoul#202,096Startup Korea Special Visa
Shenzhen#261,470HKSTP Shenzhen Branch (cross-border)
Jakarta#331,229Antler Indonesia, B71 Indonesia
Hong Kong#351,344HKSTP Incubation, entrepreneur visa, StartmeupHK
Hangzhou#37859Healthtech (its leading industry)
Taipei Tech Corridor#391,207AppWorks, Taiwan Startup Stadium, Gold Card
Hyderabad#591,296T-Hub, WE Hub
Kuala Lumpur#71830MTEP, Cradle
Bangkok Area#761,200SMART S visa
Ho Chi Minh City#98546SIHUB
Hanoi#118345Fintech, +48.6% growth
Manila Area#121439QBO Innovation
Osaka#147172Osaka Innovation Hub, Osaka startup visa
Sources: StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026 (city pages), Startup Genome GSER 2026, and the official websites of the programmes and immigration offices named, checked November 2026. Startup counts are StartupBlink's own figures.

The 20 Best Cities for Early-Stage Startups in Asia in 2027

1. Beijing, China

According to StartupBlink's Beijing page, the city ranks #6 globally in the 2026 index, with 2,354 startups tracked and -21.4% growth in 2026; hardware and IoT is its leading industry (5th globally). StartupBlink still calls it Asia's highest-ranked ecosystem, even after it dropped one place. The GSER 2026 also has Beijing at #6, one place lower than before. For student and alumni founders, Tsinghua University's x-lab runs startup courses, team incubation and challenges such as a green innovation challenge; most of its pages are in Chinese. See our China startups to watch.

2. Shanghai, China

According to StartupBlink's Shanghai page, the city ranks #8 globally in the 2026 index, with 1,988 startups tracked and -20% growth in 2026; hardware and IoT leads (6th globally). StartupBlink notes that Shanghai dropped out of its top seven for the first time since 2020, and the GSER 2026 moved it down one place to #11. StartupBlink says it keeps strong global positions in hardware and IoT and in transportation.

3. Singapore

According to StartupBlink's Singapore City page, the city ranks #10 globally in the 2026 index, with 3,943 startups tracked and +26.7% growth in 2026; fintech leads (5th globally). It is the fastest-growing city in StartupBlink's global top 10 and entered it for the first time in 2026. Startup SG, the government's startup network, lists about 4,500 startups, 510 investors and 220 incubators and accelerators, and its Budget 2026 announcement set aside S$1B for early and growth-stage deep tech investments. The National University of Singapore's B71 (the old Block71 site now redirects there) has supported more than 1,600 startups since 2011 across 11 locations in 6 countries; Carousell, PatSnap and ShopBack started there. See the startup events in Singapore.

4. New Delhi, India

According to StartupBlink's New Delhi page, the city ranks #11 globally in the 2026 index, with 4,917 startups tracked and +22% growth in 2026; marketing and sales leads (5th globally). That is the largest number of startups of any city in this list, and New Delhi moved up to first place in India. The GSER 2026 ranks Delhi #31, two places lower. Every Indian startup can apply for Startup India recognition from the DPIIT: the company must be under 10 years old with a turnover below INR 200 crore (deep tech: 20 years and INR 300 crore), and recognised private limited companies and LLPs can apply for a 3-year tax holiday. At IIT Delhi, FITT manages the institute's incubator programme and its Atal Incubation Centre.

5. Bengaluru (Bangalore), India

According to StartupBlink's Bangalore page, the city ranks #12 globally in the 2026 index, with 3,840 startups tracked and -0.7% growth in 2026; fintech leads (6th globally). Bengaluru slipped to second place in India behind New Delhi, but it still ranks first in South Asia for fintech. NSRCEL, the incubator at IIM Bangalore, runs a Launchpad for ideas and prototypes, a Women Startup Program, sector incubation programmes and a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women programme. See the startup events in Bangalore.

6. Tokyo, Japan

According to StartupBlink's Tokyo page, the city ranks #13 globally in the 2026 index, with 3,096 startups tracked and +8.1% growth in 2026; marketing and sales leads (7th globally). The Tokyo Metropolitan Government runs Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB), a hub with membership, meetups and programmes, that wants Tokyo to be the world's most startup-friendly location. Its startup support site for foreign founders lists the Tokyo Startup Visa, the Business Development Center Tokyo and a One-Stop Business Establishment Center for incorporation. The visa page itself was under maintenance when we checked, so confirm the current terms with the centre before you apply. See the startup events in Tokyo.

7. Mumbai, India

According to StartupBlink's Mumbai page, the city ranks #19 globally in the 2026 index, with 2,328 startups tracked and +7.3% growth in 2026; edtech leads (13th globally). IIT Bombay's SINE (Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship) has backed tech startups for more than two decades and offers up to three years of incubation, physical or virtual. One of its graduates, SEDEMAC Mechatronics, has since listed on the stock market.
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8. Seoul, South Korea

According to StartupBlink's Seoul page, the city ranks #20 globally in the 2026 index, with 2,096 startups tracked and +7.4% growth in 2026; hardware and IoT leads (17th globally). Seoul moved up to 4th place in East Asia. For foreign founders, Korea's Ministry of SMEs and Startups issues the Startup Korea Special Visa on its recommendation after evaluating the business plan; the official K-Startup listing takes recommendation applications on a rolling basis until 30 December 2026. See the startup events in Seoul.

9. Shenzhen, China

According to StartupBlink's Shenzhen page, the city ranks #26 globally in the 2026 index, with 1,470 startups tracked and -14.8% growth in 2026; hardware and IoT leads (12th globally). The GSER 2026 has Shenzhen at #19, two places lower. For founders who want to work across the border, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks run an HKSTP Shenzhen Branch as a Greater Bay Area hub connecting innovators to the Chinese Mainland.

10. Jakarta, Indonesia

According to StartupBlink's Jakarta page, the city ranks #33 globally in the 2026 index, with 1,229 startups tracked and -0.6% growth in 2026; ecommerce and retail leads (28th globally). It is first in Indonesia and second in South East Asia. Antler runs its Indonesia programme in Jakarta: after six weeks of working with a founding team it decides whether to invest $85,000 for 10% via a SAFE, and later commits up to $250,000 in matching capital, at 50% of what you raise from other institutional investors. NUSX's B71 also runs programmes in Jakarta, Bandung and Yogyakarta with the Salim Group's Innovation Factory.

11. Hong Kong

According to StartupBlink's Hong Kong page, the city ranks #35 globally in the 2026 index, with 1,344 startups tracked and +3.4% growth in 2026; fintech leads (25th globally). The HKSTP Incubation Programme is a 3-year programme for tech startups with an MVP or prototype in ICT, electronics, green tech or precision engineering, with up to HKD 1.29 million for technology and business development and applications from around the world. InvestHK's StartmeupHK lists incubators, investors and government funding schemes. See the startup events in Hong Kong.

12. Hangzhou, China

According to StartupBlink's Hangzhou page, the city ranks #37 globally in the 2026 index, with 859 startups tracked and -11.8% growth in 2026; healthtech leads (36th globally). The GSER 2026 has it at #28, five places lower, part of a decline across almost all Chinese ecosystems in its top 40; Wuxi was the exception, up six places to #36.

13. Taipei, Taiwan

According to StartupBlink's Taipei Tech Corridor page, the city ranks #39 globally in the 2026 index, with 1,207 startups tracked and +55.7% growth in 2026; hardware and IoT leads (26th globally). StartupBlink measures Taipei together with the tech corridor around it, and its growth is the fastest in this list. AppWorks, based in Taipei, has run its accelerator for seed-stage startups since 2010 and counts 663 active startups in its network. Taiwan Startup Stadium has served 230+ startups since 2015, helping them go international. Foreign founders can move with the Taiwan Employment Gold Card, an open work permit for up to 3 years.

14. Hyderabad, India

According to StartupBlink's Hyderabad page, the city ranks #59 globally in the 2026 index, with 1,296 startups tracked and +37.9% growth in 2026; foodtech leads (41st globally). T-Hub calls itself the world's largest home for startups and says it works with 10,000+ startups. Women founders should look at WE Hub, India's first state-led nodal organisation for women entrepreneurs, which runs startup and SME programmes.

15. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

According to StartupBlink's Kuala Lumpur page, the city ranks #71 globally in the 2026 index, with 830 startups tracked and +13.1% growth in 2026; ecommerce and retail leads (53rd globally). MDEC's Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP) is the route for foreign founders who want to enter Malaysia and start up there, and Cradle supports technology entrepreneurs through its Cradle Investment Programme (CIP).
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16. Bangkok, Thailand

According to StartupBlink's Bangkok Area page, the city ranks #76 globally in the 2026 index, with 1,200 startups tracked and +18.1% growth in 2026; fintech leads (64th globally). Thailand's Board of Investment offers the SMART S visa for technology startup founders in its targeted industries: you need a deposit of at least 600,000 baht held for 3 months, health insurance, and must be a director or hold 25% of a company already set up in Thailand.

17. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

According to StartupBlink's Ho Chi Minh City page, the city ranks #98 globally in the 2026 index, with 546 startups tracked and +25.1% growth in 2026; fintech leads (60th globally). It is Vietnam's top ecosystem. The city's Startup and Innovation Hub (SIHUB), part of its Department of Science and Technology, connects startups with incubators, investors and workspace.

18. Hanoi, Vietnam

According to StartupBlink's Hanoi page, the city ranks #118 globally in the 2026 index, with 345 startups tracked and +48.6% growth in 2026; fintech leads (79th globally). Hanoi is second in Vietnam and moved up one place to 6th in South East Asia; its growth is the second fastest in this list.

19. Manila, Philippines

According to StartupBlink's Manila Area page, the city ranks #121 globally in the 2026 index, with 439 startups tracked and +2.3% growth in 2026; fintech leads (80th globally). QBO Innovation, a division of Ideaspace, has run startup acceleration, incubator training and soft-landing programmes with government, universities and companies since 2016.

20. Osaka, Japan

According to StartupBlink's Osaka page, the city ranks #147 globally in the 2026 index, with 172 startups tracked and +8.1% growth in 2026; hardware and IoT leads. The City of Osaka set up the Osaka Innovation Hub (OIH) in 2013. It supports startups from founding to growth and helps foreign founders expand into Osaka, including an Osaka startup visa: with a certificate of confirmation from the city you can get a residence status to prepare your business. Its Tech Osaka Summit 2027 is planned for 26 and 27 January 2027.

Moving to an Asian City to Start Up

  • Singapore: the EntrePass is for foreign founders whose business is venture-backed or has innovative technology. A new pass and the first renewal last up to 1 year, later renewals up to 2 years, and there is no minimum salary.
  • Hong Kong: the Immigration Department's Investment as Entrepreneurs route asks for a three-year business plan and forecasts and normally grants an initial stay of up to 36 months.
  • South Korea: the Startup Korea Special Visa, on the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' recommendation.
  • Japan: in Osaka, a certificate of confirmation from the city lets you obtain a residence status to prepare your business; Tokyo runs its own Startup Visa through the Business Development Center Tokyo (check the current terms there).
  • Taiwan: the Employment Gold Card combines visa, residence and an open work permit for up to 3 years.
  • Thailand and Malaysia: the SMART S visa (Bangkok) and MTEP (Kuala Lumpur).
  • India: Startup India recognition is for companies registered in India and brings tax and compliance benefits once your company exists.

What Changed Since the Older Rankings

The 2025 version of this article claimed rankings it did not source (Shenzhen "from #22 to #19", Hangzhou "from #28 to #25", Bangkok "second-best in the world", Hyderabad as "the 19th top startup hotspot in Asia"), and described Osaka, Mumbai and New Delhi through real-estate investment data that says nothing about startups. We removed all of it, together with the links to news homepages, and kept only rankings from their publishers and facts the programmes and governments publish themselves. The same 20 cities stay on the list, now in StartupBlink's 2026 order. Also changed: the Block71 website now redirects to NUSX's B71 page, and the old domain of the K-Startup Grand Challenge now shows an unrelated gambling page, so search for that programme on the official K-Startup portal instead.

Which Asian City Should You Choose?

  • You are a foreign founder and want the easiest start: Singapore (EntrePass, B71), then Hong Kong or Taipei.
  • You build hardware or IoT: Shenzhen, Taipei, Seoul or Beijing.
  • You build fintech: Singapore, Bengaluru or Hong Kong; in South East Asia also Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Manila.
  • You sell to Indian customers: New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai or Hyderabad, with Startup India recognition.
  • You are a woman founder looking for a dedicated programme: WE Hub in Hyderabad and NSRCEL's Women Startup Program in Bengaluru.
  • You want Japan or Korea: Tokyo or Osaka (city startup visas), Seoul (Startup Korea Special Visa).
  • You want a fast-growing, cheaper base: the Taipei Tech Corridor, Hanoi, Hyderabad or Ho Chi Minh City.
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How Founders Use These Startup Cities

Most early-stage founders do not need to move to start. Join one programme, meet the local investors, and decide later. Compare the incubators city by city in our guide to startup incubators in Asia, find your first cheque among the early-stage VCs in Asia, and look for non-dilutive money in the grants for women entrepreneurs in Asia. Pitch events are in our list of startup competitions in Asia, and edtech founders should see the edtech accelerators in Asia. To compare continents, read the startup cities in North America, the best cities for early-stage startups worldwide, the deep tech cities in Europe and the top cities for AI startups. If you are comparing countries rather than cities, start with the best countries for early-stage startups, and before you apply anywhere, validate your startup idea with real customers.
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FAQ About Startup Cities in Asia

What is the best city for early-stage startups in Asia?

By size, Beijing: it ranks #6 in StartupBlink's Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026 and is Asia's highest-ranked ecosystem. For a foreign founder, Singapore is usually the better start: it is #10, grew 26.7% in 2026 and has the EntrePass for foreign entrepreneurs.

Which Asian cities are in the global top 20?

In StartupBlink's 2026 index: Beijing (#6), Shanghai (#8), Singapore City (#10), New Delhi (#11), Bangalore (#12), Tokyo (#13), Mumbai (#19) and Seoul (#20).

Which Asian startup cities are growing fastest?

In StartupBlink's 2026 data, the Taipei Tech Corridor grew 55.7%, Hanoi 48.6%, Hyderabad 37.9% and Singapore City 26.7%. Beijing (-21.4%) and Shanghai (-20%) shrank the most.

What is the best startup city in India?

New Delhi moved to first place in India in StartupBlink's 2026 index (#11 globally, 4,917 startups), just ahead of Bangalore (#12), with Mumbai (#19) third and Hyderabad fourth.

Can a foreign founder get a startup visa in Asia?

Yes, in several places: Singapore's EntrePass, Hong Kong's Investment as Entrepreneurs route, Korea's Startup Korea Special Visa, the Tokyo and Osaka startup visas, Taiwan's Employment Gold Card, Thailand's SMART S visa and Malaysia's MTEP.

How long does Singapore's EntrePass last?

According to the Ministry of Manpower, up to 1 year for a new pass and the first renewal, and up to 2 years for later renewals. It is for businesses that are venture-backed or have innovative technology.

How much does HKSTP give incubated startups in Hong Kong?

HKSTP's Incubation Programme lasts 3 years and offers up to HKD 1.29 million for technology and business development, plus labs, mentors and investor matching.

Are there programmes for women founders in Asian startup cities?

Yes. WE Hub in Hyderabad is India's first state-led organisation for women entrepreneurs, NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore runs a Women Startup Program, and our guide to grants for women entrepreneurs in Asia lists more.

Why did you remove the old rankings and investment figures?

The previous version quoted ranking changes and real-estate figures without a source. We kept only rankings from StartupBlink and Startup Genome and facts the programmes and governments publish themselves.

Where can I get a backlink by writing about my startup?

You can publish a guest post in one of the Fe/male Switch startup blogs, which rank in Google and in AI tools. Get a quality backlink.

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. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
2026-11-04 02:00 Top 20