Top 20 Cities for Deep Tech Startups in Asia in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide
The deep tech landscape in Asia is rapidly evolving, with cities emerging as key players in fostering innovation and startups. By 2025, many cities are expected to create conducive environments for technological advancements in sectors such as AI, biotech, and more. Below is a detailed examination of the Top 20 Cities for Deep Tech Startups in Asia in 2025, highlighting their strengths and unique characteristics.
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1. Singapore, Singapore
Rankings & Recognition: Consistently ranks as a top startup ecosystem in Asia and globally, often cited as a leading deep tech hub. Ranked #7 globally for startup ecosystems and #1 in Asia.
Ecosystem Strength: Strong government support, robust infrastructure, business-friendly environment, and strategic location. A large number of tech startups (over 4,500) and VCs (400) contribute to its dynamic scene.
Investment: Deep tech investments surged by 31% in 2023, accounting for 25% of total deal value.
Key Sectors: Fintech, MedTech, AI, biotechnology, green tech, and precision medicine.
Innovation: Focus on commercialization of intellectual property and impactful spinoffs.
2. Beijing, China
Rankings & Recognition: A major player in the global deep tech landscape, ranked #3 globally.
Ecosystem Strength: Home to top universities and a strong network of investors, creating a center for innovation.
Investment: High levels of VC funding, with $58.6 billion invested in deep tech in 2023.
Key Sectors: AI, machine learning, internet services, hardware, and biotech.
Innovation: Strong emphasis on R&D and scaling startups quickly.
3. Tokyo, Japan
Rankings & Recognition: A top startup hub in Asia, ranked #4 in the region.
Ecosystem Strength: Focus on technology and robotics, supported by a culture of innovation.
Investment: Attracting significant investments, tied with other cities for large exits in the tech sector.
Key Sectors: Technology, robotics, and AI.
Innovation: Known for cutting-edge technological advancements aiming to become the world's most startup-friendly city.
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4. Shanghai, China
Rankings & Recognition: A significant player in the startup ecosystem, ranked #4 globally.
Ecosystem Strength: Major center for commerce and technology in China.
Investment: Led the way in deep tech investment, with $58.6 billion invested in 2023.
Key Sectors: Includes a wide array of technology sectors.
Innovation: Continuously striving for advancements in deep tech along with Beijing and Shenzhen.
5. Seoul, South Korea
Rankings & Recognition: Ranked #9 globally, emerging as a leading tech startup hub.
Ecosystem Strength: Supported by government initiatives and large corporations like Samsung and LG.
Investment: Strong investment climate, particularly vibrant in gaming, biotech, and fintech.
Key Sectors: Technology, gaming, biotech, and fintech.
Innovation: Significant strides in global startup ecosystems.
6. Shenzhen, China
Rankings & Recognition: A rising force in the Asian startup scene, with a ranking of #28 globally.
Ecosystem Strength: Major player in deep tech, supported by extensive R&D.
Investment: Considered an emerging startup hub driven by innovation.
Key Sectors: Significant contribution to deep tech and other technology sectors.
Innovation: A central player in deep tech alongside Beijing and Shanghai.
7. Bangalore, India
Rankings & Recognition: Known as the "Silicon Valley of India," ranked #21 globally.
Ecosystem Strength: Vibrant tech scene with a strong presence in IT and biotech.
Investment: Generated $158 billion in ecosystem value showcasing strong investment attraction.
Key Sectors: Information technology, fintech, and biotech.
Innovation: Thriving hub for innovation driven by startups.
8. Jakarta, Indonesia
Rankings & Recognition: Significant startup hub in Southeast Asia.
Ecosystem Strength: Driven by a large youthful population and increasing internet penetration.
Investment: Attracting growing investment, becoming a key player in the region.
Key Sectors: E-commerce, fintech, and ride-sharing services.
Innovation: Emerging as a central innovation hub.
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9. Hong Kong, China
Ecosystem Strength: Booming startup scene working to enhance its status as an Asian tech hub.
Investment: As a key hub for wealth management and investment, attracting significant capital.
Key Sectors: Technology and commerce.
Innovation: Efforts to position itself at the forefront of technology and innovation.
10. Hangzhou, China
Rankings & Recognition: Ranked #36 globally, it plays a significant role in deep tech innovation.
Ecosystem Strength: A major player in the tech industry.
Investment: Gathering momentum as an emerging startup hub.
Key Sectors: Deep tech and various tech sectors.
Innovation: A powerful player in deep tech, working alongside major Chinese cities.
Additional Cities to Watch
Several other cities show strong potential for deep tech startups:
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: A rising hub with government support for tech initiatives.
- Bangkok, Thailand: Leading in innovation with a growing deep tech sector.
- Penang, Malaysia: A hotspot for startups with robust government backing.
- Hyderabad, India: Ranked 19th among major startup ecosystems.
- Nanjing, China: Emerging as a notable player in the startup ecosystem.
- Pune, India: Experiencing significant growth in its startup ecosystem.
This overview of top cities underscores the diverse and rapidly evolving deep tech ecosystem in Asia. Each city offers unique strengths that contribute to their growing importance in the global startup environment.
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FAQ
Q: Which city is ranked as the top deep tech hub in Asia?
A: Singapore consistently ranks as the top startup ecosystem in Asia and globally. Read more about Singapore.
Q: What notable recognition does Beijing receive regarding deep tech?
A: Beijing is ranked #3 globally in the startup ecosystem and is known for its strong focus on innovation and technology. Learn about Beijing's ecosystem.
Q: How does Tokyo support its deep tech startups?
A: Tokyo has a robust startup ecosystem supported by a culture of innovation and strong corporate backing, especially in technology and robotics. Discover more about Tokyo.
Q: What makes Shanghai a significant player in deep tech?
A: Shanghai is ranked #4 globally for startup ecosystems and is a major center for commerce and technology. Find out more about Shanghai's role.
Q: What key sectors is Seoul known for within its deep tech ecosystem?
A: Seoul is recognized for its emphasis on technology and innovation, particularly in gaming, biotech, and fintech sectors. Explore Seoul's deep tech scene.
Q: How is Shenzhen positioned in the Asian startup scene?
A: Shenzhen is emerging as a significant player in deep tech and is bolstered by research and development initiatives. Learn more about Shenzhen's growth.
Q: What distinguishes Bangalore in the Asian startup ecosystem?
A: Bangalore, known as the "Silicon Valley of India," has a vibrant tech scene particularly strong in information technology and fintech. Discover Bangalore's startup environment.
Q: What sectors does Jakarta specialize in?
A: Jakarta has a strong presence in e-commerce, fintech, and ride-sharing services, making it a significant startup hub in Southeast Asia. Read more about Jakarta's sectors.
Q: How is Hong Kong evolving in the tech space?
A: Hong Kong is making substantial efforts to become a key Asian tech hub, with a booming startup ecosystem focused on technology and commerce. Find out more about Hong Kong's ambitions.
Q: Which sectors is Hangzhou becoming known for?
A: Hangzhou is emerging as a major player in deep tech alongside other tech sectors, demonstrating significant startup growth. Explore Hangzhou's rise.
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.
