Top 15 Cities for Deeptech Startups in Asia in 2025
As Asia continues to establish itself as a global innovation leader, several cities are emerging as prominent hubs for deeptech startups. With strong support from governments, universities, and a rich ecosystem of investors, these cities are set to thrive in the deep tech landscape by 2025. Here’s a look at the top 15 cities poised for success:
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1. Singapore
Ecosystem Strength: Singapore is ranked #1 in Asia and #7 globally in startup ecosystems, with a valuation of $144 billion. It has over 4,500 tech startups, 400 venture capital firms, and 240 accelerators.
Deep Tech Focus: It leads in deep tech investments, especially in health technology, which constitutes 25% of deals in the region.
Government Support: The Startup SG Equity scheme boosts private investments, allocating up to $9 million (USD) per startup under the RIE 2025 plan.
Business Environment: Strong IP protection and a favorable regulatory framework make it attractive for startups.
Talent Pool: Home to leading universities like NUS and NTU, Singapore produces a skilled workforce primed for innovation.
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2. Beijing, China
Tech Specialization: Beijing excels in AI, machine learning, and internet services, making it a hotspot for cutting-edge startups.
Research Powerhouse: The city houses top universities and institutions that lay a strong foundation for deep tech innovation.
Investment in R&D: The Chinese government provides substantial R&D funding, fostering an environment conducive to technology development.
Market Scale: Beijing’s large domestic market supports rapid scaling of startups.
Global Ranking: Though ranked #8 globally, it remains a critical player in the Asian deep tech landscape.
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3. Bangalore, India
"Silicon Valley of India": Widely recognized for its vibrant tech scene, Bangalore is a key player in deep tech.
Key Sectors: Strong in information technology, fintech, and biotech, attracting diverse startups.
Ecosystem Value: The ecosystem contributes $158 billion, underscoring its economic significance.
Global Ranking: Currently ranked #21 on the global scale, showcasing its rising status.
Investment Growth: Recently, the city has seen a surge in investments, further establishing it as a tech hub.
4. Tokyo, Japan
Technology Focus: Tokyo emphasizes robotics, AI, and other technological innovations.
Innovation Culture: The city benefits from strong corporate backing and a culture that fosters innovation.
Large Exits: The ecosystem had 11 significant exits ($50M+) in 2023, showcasing its market maturity.
Global Ranking: Rated #4 globally, Tokyo plays a pivotal role in Asia's startup scene.
Startup Friendly City: The government aims to transform Tokyo into the most startup-friendly city in the world.
5. Seoul, South Korea
Emerging Hub: Seoul is rapidly gaining recognition for its tech-driven startup ecosystem.
Key Sectors: Gaming, biotech, and fintech are key areas bolstered by substantial corporate support.
Corporate Support: Major corporations like Samsung and LG provide essential backing to startups.
Global Ranking: The city reached #9 in global rankings, its highest position yet.
Tech-Savvy Population: A culture that embraces new technologies aids the development of startups.
6. Shenzhen, China
Rapid Growth: Shenzhen moved up seven spots in global rankings to #28, showcasing its evolution.
Manufacturing Hub: Its status as a major manufacturing hub gives it an edge for hardware-focused startups.
E-commerce: The city is emerging as a growing e-commerce ecosystem.
Innovation Center: Recognized as a leading center for technology innovation within China.
Tech Ecosystem: Shenzhen benefits from a robust tech infrastructure and extensive support networks.
7. Jakarta, Indonesia
Emerging Hub: Jakarta is establishing itself as a key startup hub in Southeast Asia.
Market Drivers: Driven by a youthful population and increasing internet penetration, the city is ripe for tech innovation.
Key Sectors: E-commerce, fintech, and ride-sharing are rapidly growing sectors.
Growth Potential: Jakarta has vast untapped markets, making it a prime location for startup growth.
Investment Focus: Investors are increasingly targeting Jakarta for growth equity in 2025.
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8. Hangzhou, China
Global Ranking: Hangzhou sits at #36 on the global startup ecosystem ranking.
E-commerce Hub: Known for its strong presence in the online retail market.
Tech and Innovation: The city is continually evolving, focusing on technology and innovation.
Investment Potential: Attracts significant investments in tech sectors.
Scalability: Startups tap into the massive Chinese market for their growth potential.
9. Mumbai, India
Global Ranking: Mumbai is ranked #37 in the global startup ecosystem landscape.
Financial Hub: As India’s financial center, it offers a strong backing for startups.
Diverse Sectors: A variety of startups flourish in fintech, e-commerce, and logistics.
Investment Growth: Mumbai boasts a growing base of investors eager to support innovation.
Skilled Workforce: The city has a vast talent pool, making it an attractive startup destination.
10. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Strategic Location: Positioning in Southeast Asia allows access to a large talent pool.
Cost Competitive: Lower operational costs relative to neighboring countries.
English Proficiency: A workforce that is predominantly proficient in English.
Government Support: Various initiatives aim to attract and develop tech startups.
Emerging Tech Hub: Kuala Lumpur is evolving into a thriving tech hub for both local and international startups.
11. Hong Kong
International Financial Center: Hong Kong has a unique position as a gateway to Asia and China.
Startup Ecosystem: The city's fintech sector is particularly strong due to advanced digital infrastructure.
Government Initiatives: Various funding schemes support innovation, particularly in fintech and biotech.
Diverse Talent Pool: Many expats work in the city, bringing diverse skills and perspectives.
Networking Opportunities: Frequent startup events and meetups foster great networking conditions.
12. Chennai, India
Growing Tech Scene: Chennai is gaining traction as a tech startup hub.
Key Sectors: IT services and automotive technology are significant growth areas.
Investment Growth: An increasing number of angel investors and venture capital firms are focusing on Chennai startups.
Educational Institutions: Renowned institutions are producing a skilled workforce conducive to startup growth.
Community Support: A supportive startup community is fostering collaboration and innovation.
13. Osaka, Japan
Economic Powerhouse: Osaka is Japan's economic powerhouse, supporting diverse industries.
Startup Growth: There is growing interest in tech startups, particularly in health tech and robotics.
Cultural Hub: A vibrant culture promotes creativity and innovation.
Government Support: Local government initiatives encourage startup development and attract investments.
Strategic Location: Proximity to Kyoto and Kobe enhances collaborative opportunities for technology companies.
14. Taipei, Taiwan
Technological Advancements: Taipei is a leader in semiconductors and electronic products.
R&D Investment: Substantial government and private sector investments are fueling deep tech advancement.
Accessibility: Proximity to manufacturing and tech resources influences growth dynamics.
Government Initiatives: Programs encouraging innovation and partnerships are prevalent.
Startup Community: A collaborative atmosphere fosters support for startups across various sectors.
15. Manila, Philippines
Startup Growth: Manila faces rapid development, driven by innovations in finance and service sectors.
Young Population: A youthful demographic enables adaptability and tech-savviness.
Investment Surge: Increased investments are drawn to burgeoning tech and fintech startups.
Cultural Adoption of Technology: The local culture embraces new technologies, fueling faster adoption rates.
Growing Support Network: Accelerators and incubators are popping up, providing mentorship and resources for startups.
Note: Each city’s rank and specific data points will vary slightly across various reports. Nevertheless, these cities represent the forefront of the deep tech revolution in Asia and are expected to play a pivotal role in global tech advancements by 2025.
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FAQ
Q: What city ranks as the top startup hub for deep tech in Asia?
A: Singapore is ranked as the #1 startup ecosystem in Asia and is a leader in deep tech innovation, particularly in health technology. Learn more about Singapore's startup ecosystem.
Q: Which city is known as the "Silicon Valley of India"?
A: Bangalore is referred to as the "Silicon Valley of India" and boasts a vibrant tech scene with a strong presence in information technology and fintech. Discover more about Bangalore's tech scene.
Q: What is a significant characteristic of Beijing's startup ecosystem?
A: Beijing benefits from being a research powerhouse with top universities and strong government investment in R&D, particularly in AI and machine learning. Explore Beijing's advantages.
Q: Which city is a major manufacturing hub for deep tech startups?
A: Shenzhen is a major manufacturing hub that provides advantages for hardware and manufacturing-focused deep tech startups. Find out more about Shenzhen's growth.
Q: What sectors are emerging in Jakarta's startup ecosystem?
A: Jakarta is rapidly becoming a significant startup hub, especially in e-commerce, fintech, and ride-sharing services, driven by a youthful population. Learn more about Jakarta's growth potential.
Q: Which Asian city aims to be the world's most startup-friendly location?
A: Tokyo in Japan aims to become the world's most startup-friendly city, with strong corporate support and a rich culture of innovation. Read more about Tokyo's initiatives.
Q: What makes Seoul an attractive startup hub?
A: Seoul has shown significant growth in global rankings, with strong corporate backing and a tech-savvy population willing to embrace new technologies. Discover more about Seoul's startup culture.
Q: What is notable about Hangzhou's startup ecosystem?
A: Hangzhou is an e-commerce hub with a focus on technology and innovation and attracts considerable investments, enabling startups to scale rapidly. Learn more about Hangzhou's opportunities.
Q: What sectors contribute to Mumbai's startup ecosystem?
A: Mumbai is recognized as India's financial hub and hosts diverse startups across sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, and logistics. Explore Mumbai's investment landscape.
Q: How does Kuala Lumpur's location contribute to its startup ecosystem?
A: Kuala Lumpur offers a strategic location in Southeast Asia with a large talent pool and cost advantages, making it an emerging tech hub. Find out more about Kuala Lumpur's advantages.
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.
