ASEAN took a significant step forward in strengthening regional innovation today with the official launch of the Startup ASEAN platform, a comprehensive digital hub designed to connect startups, investors, and ecosystem partners across Southeast Asia.

The initiative is led by Malaysia under its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship and delivered by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) through Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd. The platform marks the first major deliverable under the ASEAN Technology Startup Ignite 2025 programme.

“Startup ASEAN is more than a digital platform—it is a regional enabler designed to address fragmented access to markets, funding, talent, and data,” said YB Tuan Chang Lih Kang, Minister of MOSTI. “Through this effort, we are positioning ASEAN as a united and empowered startup ecosystem.”

The platform offers startups access to regional market entry points, funding sources, investor networks, talent development tools, and policy insights. It will also host programmes aimed at cross-border collaboration with ASEAN dialogue partners such as South Korea and China.

ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn welcomed the launch as a timely move to support regional integration. “This initiative reflects ASEAN’s commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to unlock new opportunities,” he said. “Malaysia’s leadership has been instrumental in turning this vision into reality.”

The launch event featured an immersive tour of the platform and a regional market access programme called ASEAN CrossConnect, which matched startups with global mentors from across ASEAN.

With the platform now live at www.startup-asean.org, Malaysia and ASEAN will continue efforts to build an inclusive and innovation-driven regional economy, including future plans for an ASEAN Startup Summit and the creation of an ASEAN Centre of Excellence for early-stage startups.

Source and Photo Credit: BERNAMA