Chart Illustrating Leading Asian Investments in Startups - Week 32, 2025
Asia's Top Startups Secure Significant Funding in AI, Fintech, Consumer Tech, Gaming, and More
In a week marked by significant investment in innovation, leading startups across Asia raised over $234 million in funding rounds. The funding was distributed across sectors such as AI, fintech, consumer tech, gaming, HR tech, and water treatment.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Seven AI startups supported by Antler’s AI Disrupt program in Southeast Asia collectively secured $2.8 million. Each startup received approximately $400,000 following a focused four-week residency. Notable startups include Iris, Nugen, IndustrialMind.ai, Lambdai Space, Anamaya, AppSecAI, and Y (GLUCOSE).
Fintech
The Indian fintech platform Fibe (formerly EarlySalary) raised $26.5 million via non-convertible debentures to advance its digital lending services for salaried professionals.
Consumer Tech
India’s The Sleep Company, a direct-to-consumer comfort tech brand, secured $54.8 million for expansion and retail growth. Additionally, RENÉE Cosmetics, a fast-growing Indian beauty brand, raised $30 million in Series C to broaden its product offerings and market reach.
Gaming and HR Tech
While exact gaming and HR tech startup funding amounts are not individually detailed, the overall $234 million funding total across sectors (including gaming and HR tech) indicates active investment. Specific HR tech or gaming startup names were not highlighted explicitly.
Water Treatment
Water treatment startups were included in the sector-wide funding total but without specific company or deal size details in the available reports.
Notable Funding
The largest single disclosed deal this week was China’s AI nanomedicine startup METiS Technologies, which raised $55.6 million in Series D funding.
Summary of Funding
| Sector | Top Startups (Examples) | Funding Raised | |---------------|-----------------------------------------|---------------------------| | AI | Iris, IndustrialMind.ai, AppSecAI, etc. | $2.8 million collectively | | Fintech | Fibe (India) | $26.5 million | | Consumer Tech | The Sleep Company (India); RENÉE Cosmetics (India) | $54.8 million; $30 million | | Gaming | Not specifically named | Included in $234 million total | | HR Tech | Not specifically named | Included in $234 million total | | Water Treatment | Not specifically named | Included in $234 million total | | AI Nanomedicine | METiS Technologies (China) | $55.6 million |
These figures reflect the week ending around August 8–13, 2025. The funding activity spans important innovation hubs across India, Southeast Asia (Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia), China, and Japan.
Sports startups could leverage this wave of funding in innovation to development new technologies, potentially entering AI, fintech, consumer tech, gaming, or HR tech sectors.
Despite the focus on AI, fintech, consumer tech, gaming, HR tech, and water treatment in Asia's top startups, it remains unclear whether any sports startups were part of this funding wave.
