Top 20 Grants for Early-Stage Startups in Asia in 2025
With the startup ecosystem rapidly evolving in Asia, 2025 is set to be a landmark year for early-stage innovators seeking funding opportunities. Numerous grants are available to support startups focused on technology, sustainability, and social impact. Below is a detailed compilation of the Top 20 Grants for Early-Stage Startups in Asia, including essential information such as grant amounts, eligibility criteria, application processes, and links to more details.
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1. PepsiCo's Greenhouse Accelerator Program 2025
Grant Amount: Initial $20,000 USD grant for 10 finalists; $100,000 USD for the program winner.
Focus: Sustainability innovations across circular economy, sustainable agriculture, and climate action.
Eligibility: Early-stage startups (pre-revenue up to $7M USD in sales) in participating APAC markets with proof of concept.
Application Process: Through the program application, including mentorship from PepsiCo mentors and VC partners.
2. Mirxes Funding Round
Funding Amount: $40 million.
Focus: Biotech and cancer diagnostics, aiming to expand miRNA technology for early-stage cancer detection in Asia Pacific.
Region: Asia-Pacific.
Note: Details on application processes or eligibility are not provided, primarily an expansion funding round.
3. Future Food Asia Award 2025
Grant Amount: USD 100,000 (equity-linked).
Focus: AgriTech and FoodTech startups within the 21 tech sectors.
Eligibility: Startups with proof-of-concept or initial revenues, having raised at least USD 100K but not beyond Series B.
Application Process: Application via Cognito Forms link.
Deadline: April 1, 2025.
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4. Accelerators and Investors in Singapore
Focus: Lists various accelerators and VCs investing in early-stage startups in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
Key Players: Accelerating Asia, JFDI.Asia, Iterative, Tribe, Anthill Ventures.
Application Process: Contact each accelerator individually.
5. MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific Accelerator Program 2025
Grant/Award Amount: Up to USD 300,000 in non-dilutive cash and other awards.
Focus: Medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health startups.
Eligibility: Startups in the APAC region at any development stage.
Application Process: Apply through MedTech Innovator.
Deadline: January 15, 2025.
6. Mercy Corps Ventures Anticipatory Action Accelerator 2025
Grant Amount: Grants of up to $100,000 (equity-free).
Focus: Startups implementing Anticipatory Action solutions to enhance humanitarian aid.
Eligibility: Organizations in various regions, including South and Southeast Asia.
Application Process: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Deadline: February 14, 2025.
7. Seed Grants Overview
Focus: Provides a general overview of seed grants, highlighting government, private foundation, and corporate options.
Key Points: Highlights the significance of seed funding and types available.
Grant Amounts: Varies widely based on specific grants.
8. Startup SG Founder Grant (Singapore)
Grant Amount: Up to S$50,000; co-investment of S$10,000 required from the entrepreneur.
Focus: Support for first-time entrepreneurs in Singapore.
Eligibility: First-time founders with viable business ideas.
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9. YSEALI Seeds for the Future Grant Competition
Grant Amount: Total $300,000 available; awards range from $200,000 to $300,000.
Focus: Projects that foster collaboration among emerging leaders in ASEAN.
Eligibility: Organizations working with youth in Southeast Asia.
Application Process: Details available through the link provided.
10. GoBusiness Singapore Grants for Startups
Focus: Overview of various grants available for startups in Singapore.
Grant Amount: Includes the Startup SG Founder grant.
Eligibility: Targets first-time entrepreneurs and those with proprietary tech.
Application Process: Details available through the official website.
11. hEr Volution Grant Program
Grant Amount: Up to $25,000.
Focus: Women-led startups in technology-driven sectors.
Eligibility: Female founders with innovative ideas at early stages.
Application Process: Online application with business plan submission.
Deadline: Rolling basis; check for specifics.
Link: Not available.
12. National Innovation Agency Thailand Grant
Grant Amount: Varies by project; up to 4 million THB.
Focus: Promoting innovative technology and startups in Thailand.
Eligibility: Startups with innovative ideas applicable to the Thai market.
Application Process: Submit a detailed project proposal.
Link: Not available.
13. Japan Startup Fund
Grant Amount: Up to ¥10 million.
Focus: Support for early-phase startups in various sectors.
Eligibility: Startups incorporated in Japan with innovative ideas.
Application Process: Specific proposals submitted online.
Link: Not available.
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14. Taiwan Startup Stadium Programme
Grant Amount: Up to NT$300,000.
Focus: Globalizing Taiwanese startups.
Eligibility: Startups operating in Taiwan looking for international expansion.
Application Process: Must have a verified application through the program's portal.
Link: Not available.
15. China Startup Fund
Grant Amount: Ranges between ¥50,000 to ¥500,000.
Focus: Investment in tech startups addressing local challenges.
Eligibility: Startups in China with a strong business model.
Application Process: Submit a business plan and financial projections.
Link: Not available.
16. ASEAN Rural Startups Fund
Grant Amount: Up to $50,000.
Focus: Innovative solutions for rural communities in ASEAN countries.
Eligibility: Startups targeting rural markets with sustainable solutions.
Application Process: Open application with project detailing.
Link: Not available.
17. Indian Startup Accelerator Program
Grant Amount: Up to ₹10 million for select startups.
Focus: Disruptive technologies and solutions in India.
Eligibility: Early-stage startups incorporated in India.
Application Process: Application portal available with a project idea submission.
Link: Not available.
18. Philippines Startup Loan Program
Grant Amount: Up to ₱500,000.
Focus: Funding startups aiming for innovation in various sectors.
Eligibility: Startups registered in the Philippines.
Application Process: Detailed project application process outlined in provided resources.
Link: Not available.
19. Bangladesh Startup Grant Program
Grant Amount: Up to $30,000.
Focus: Support for technology and social impact startups in Bangladesh.
Eligibility: Early-stage startups operating within Bangladesh.
Application Process: Evaluated through an application and pitch process.
Link: Not available.
20. Vietnam Startup Ecosystem Fund
Grant Amount: Varies; up to VND 2 billion.
Focus: Encouraging innovation and startup growth in Vietnam.
Eligibility: Startups with scalable business models.
Application Process: Individual assessment based on submitted plans.
Link: Not available.
This compilation reflects a diverse array of funding opportunities available for early-stage startups across Asia in 2025, with various focuses on technology, sustainability, and social impact. Startups are encouraged to research each grant, ensuring they meet the eligibility requirements and deadlines.
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FAQ
Q: What is the PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator Program for 2025?
A: The program offers an initial grant of $20,000 USD to each of the 10 finalists, with an additional $100,000 USD for the program winner, focusing on sustainability innovations in the circular economy, sustainable agriculture, and climate action. Learn more about PepsiCo's Greenhouse Accelerator Program.
Q: What is the Future Food Asia Award and what can startups expect?
A: The Future Food Asia Award provides a grant of $100,000 (equity-linked) for AgriTech and FoodTech startups in the Asia Pacific region. Applicants must have proof of concept and initial revenues. The deadline for applications is April 1, 2025. Find out more about the Future Food Asia Award.
Q: How much funding can startups receive from the MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific Accelerator Program?
A: Startups can receive up to $300,000 in non-dilutive cash and other awards primarily aimed at medical device, diagnostic, and digital health startups. The application deadline is January 15, 2025. Learn more about the MedTech Innovator Program.
Q: What does the Mercy Corps Ventures Anticipatory Action Accelerator offer?
A: This accelerator offers equity-free grants of up to $100,000 for organizations piloting solutions that improve humanitarian aid using climate data, AI, and machine learning, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Discover the Mercy Corps Ventures Accelerator.
Q: What is the focus of the Startup SG Founder Grant?
A: The Startup SG Founder Grant provides up to SGD 50,000 in startup capital for first-time entrepreneurs in Singapore, with a requirement for co-investment by the entrepreneur. Find more about Startup SG Founder Grant.
Q: What type of startups does the YSEALI Seeds for the Future Grant target?
A: This grant targets organizations working with youth across ASEAN for projects that foster collaboration in the region, with available funding ranging from $200,000 to $300,000. Learn more about YSEALI Seeds for the Future Grant.
Q: What type of funding does the GoBusiness Singapore provide for startups?
A: GoBusiness Singapore offers various grants including the Startup SG Founder and Startup SG Tech, with the former offering up to SGD 50,000 and supporting market validation for innovative ideas. Explore GoBusiness Singapore Grants.
Q: How can startups access the funding options listed in the 'Accelerators and Investors in Singapore'?
A: Startups can find several accelerators and venture capital firms actively investing in early-stage startups in Singapore. They need to contact the specific accelerator individually for application processes. Learn about Accelerators and Investors in Singapore.
Q: Where can startups find an overview of seed grants?
A: The Seed Grants Overview provides information on various government, private, and corporate grant options available to startups, emphasizing the importance of seed funding and how to apply. Find out more about Seed Grants Overview.
Q: What recent trends in startup funding are highlighted in the Mirxes Funding Round?
A: The Mirxes Funding Round showcases a $40 million funding round for biotech startups focusing on cancer diagnostics in the Asia Pacific, though it does not provide specific application details. Discover more about the Mirxes Funding Round.
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.
