Forbes Asia has released its fifth annual ‘100 to Watch’ list, highlighting promising small companies and startups across the Asia-Pacific region.
This year’s list, sponsored by FedEx, features firms from 16 countries, with India leading with 18 companies, followed by Singapore and Japan with 14 each. The list is available on Forbes’ website and in the September issue of Forbes Asia.
The 2025 edition showcases startups excelling in fields such as biotech, spacetech, and green tech, with many utilising advanced technologies like AI. These companies have collectively raised nearly $3b in funding, underscoring their potential. “Our fifth annual Forbes Asia 100 To Watch list showcases a range of innovative startups,” said Rana Wehbe Watson, Editorial Director at Forbes Asia.
The list categorises companies into ten industry sectors, with biotechnology and healthcare leading with 18 companies, followed by enterprise technology and robotics with 16. The selection process involved online submissions and nominations from accelerators, incubators, and venture capitalists. Criteria included being headquartered in the Asia-Pacific, privately owned, and having no more than $50m in annual revenue or $100m in total funding by 15 August.
Forbes Asia editors evaluated each submission based on industry impact, market fit, business model innovation, revenue growth, and funding ability. The list offers a glimpse into the dynamic startup ecosystem in the region, highlighting companies poised to make significant contributions to their industries.
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