Brief on ASEAN Startup Initiative (ASI)
The ASEAN Startup Initiative (ASI), was endorsed by the 85th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI-85) and the 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-20) in Siem Reap, Cambodia recently.
Led by Malaysia, the ASEAN Startup Initiative addresses three main areas:
  • Increase “startup-friendly” policies to create a conducive environment for startups to thrive,
  • Enhance ecosystem readiness among ASEAN Member States to ensure a supportive infrastructure for startup growth, and
  • Drive collaboration to foster impactful partnerships and synergies within the region.

To foster greater collaboration, innovation, and growth among startups in the region. With Malaysia taking the chairmanship in 2025, Cradle, as the implementation agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), is set to pave the way for a thriving startup ecosystem in ASEAN.

ASEAN Member State

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined ASEAN on 7 January 1984, followed by Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999, making up what is today the ten Member States of ASEAN.

Brunei
Indonesia
Malaysia
Thailand
Vietnam
Singapore
Cambodia
Lao PDR
Philipines
Myanmmar

ASEAN’s Innovation and Startup Growth Agenda

ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation is an integral component of all economies in ASEAN, regardless of the economic status of the nation. Every economy is largely driven by production, whether it involves goods or services, spanning sectors such as agriculture, energy, education, finance, manufacturing, and tourism.

As such, the integration and cooperation agenda of Science, Technology & Innovation is driven by the common vision of every ASEAN Member State to leverage on the use of Science, Technology and Innovation to share knowledge and research developments, and to translate the research outputs into implementable solutions that address the real-life problems faced by its people.

Startups–in the sense of growth and innovation-oriented new firms–are a key driver of innovation, job creation and economic growth. Many will scale and grow into their own right or provide fodder for innovation in larger companies.

ASEAN Priority Areas of Cooperation:

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Biotechnology

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Food Science & Technology

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Marine Science & Technology

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Materials Science & Technology

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Microelectronics & Information Technology

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Science & Technology Infrastructure

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Sustainable Energy Research

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Meteorology & Geophysics

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Space Technology & Application