Southeast Asian startups raise $7.25b in H1 2026
Startups in Southeast Asia raised $7.25 billion in the first half of 2026, marking the strongest start to a year since 2022, though deal count decreased significantly.
Startups across Southeast Asia secured $7.25 billion in funding during the first half of 2026, representing the strongest performance for the period since the first half of 2022. However, the total number of funding deals fell to 217, the lowest for this period since 2018, according to a report by Kickstart Ventures.
The report highlighted that the 20 largest funding rounds accounted for a significant 89% of the total capital raised, leaving approximately $800 million for all other deals. Companies based in Singapore were the primary recipients, attracting $6.7 billion, which constituted 92% of the regional total.
Further data indicated a decline in early-stage deal activity, with the count dropping to 195. The median Series A funding round also saw a decrease, settling at $8 million compared to the previous $11.6 million. This suggests a shift towards larger, more concentrated deals.
Kickstart Ventures attributed the trend to geopolitical uncertainty channeling global capital into Southeast Asia, particularly through Singapore and into strategic infrastructure. The reduction in the volume of deals signals that the region's economic recovery remains uneven.