Forbes Asia Honored 100 Emerging Startups
Investors and founders should track these high-growth companies across the Asia-Pacific region to identify emerging market leaders.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Startups
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Forbes Asia has released its sixth annual 100 to Watch list, highlighting startups across 16 countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region. The featured companies were evaluated based on their market fit, business models, and innovation potential.
Why it matters
The list provides a curated view of regional market trends and competitive positioning for entrepreneurs assessing growth opportunities. It highlights sectors gaining momentum, such as robotics and green tech, which each accounted for 10 spots on the roster.
The 100 startups raised a combined $2.4 billion, including nearly $1 billion in 2026 alone. India led the group with 19 entries, followed by Singapore with 15.
The players
Forbes Asia
A business publication that provides financial analysis and regional economic rankings across the Asia-Pacific market.
The details
Companies qualified by maintaining annual revenue below $50 million and total funding under $100 million. The selection process utilized online submissions alongside nominations from venture capitalists and accelerators to gauge performance metrics like revenue growth. The evaluation team prioritized companies with distinct business models and strong market fit to identify potential industry disrupters.
Timeline
August 15, 2026 was the funding and revenue cutoff date for consideration.
September 30, 2026 marked the publication date of the list.
Market Landscape
This release follows the established precedent of the annual Forbes Asia 100 to Watch list, which serves as a barometer for regional venture activity. The data highlights a continued focus on scalable innovation, echoing trends seen in previous years of the rankings.
Operators should monitor the featured sectors, particularly robotics and green tech, to assess how these startups are scaling their operations. Reviewing this list can help identify potential partnership opportunities or shifts in market competition within the Asia-Pacific region.
The takeaway
The list serves as a key signal of which business models are currently gaining traction among regional investors. Founders should track how these companies utilize their $2.4 billion in collective capital to expand market share over the coming fiscal year.
Further reading
For broader trends in venture capital and emerging firms, visit the Startups section.
More information
View the full list of featured startups on the official portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Forbes India.
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Does the rise of new AI and tech startups make you feel optimistic about the economy?
