ADB and JICA Target Startup Innovation Gap in Southeast Asia

The initiative, managed through ADB Ventures and backed by Japan’s High-Level Technology Fund, targets firms ready to move beyond market testing. Beyond direct financing, participating startups gain access to regional networks, market-entry guidance, and industry experts. The program focuses on sectors ranging from smart mobility and clean energy to inclusive finance and the circular economy, with the ultimate goal of moving technologies from laboratories to commercial deployment.

Initially, the programme will prioritize Japan-based startups, leveraging the country’s innovation ecosystem to address development challenges in emerging markets. Takaaki Nomoto of Japan's Ministry of Finance noted that the initiative serves dual purposes: fostering sustainable regional development and helping Japanese firms establish a footprint in international markets. ADB Director General Isabel Chatterton emphasized that the partnership addresses the specific difficulty these companies face when attempting to scale innovations into regions where they are needed most. By creating a repeatable framework for investment, the organizers hope to foster long-term growth and strengthen regional cooperation through practical, technology-driven solutions.