AI and green tech companies attract investment in Asia-Pacific startup list

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AI and Green Tech Startups Attract Investment

Highlights

Nearly a quarter of the startups on Forbes Asia's 100 to Watch list are innovating in AI services and automation tools.
Companies on the list have raised a combined $2.4 billion to date, including nearly $1 billion in fresh investment so far in 2026.
India tops the list with 19 companies, followed by Singapore with 15, China with 10, and Japan and South Korea with 9 each.

This article was translated from the original. Read the original version by our correspondent here.

List selection and regional trends

According to Forbes Asia, its sixth annual 100 to Watch list showcases small companies and startups in the Asia-Pacific region that are rapidly emerging. AI-driven innovation is the most prominent theme on the list, as many startups are working to drive change by integrating automation tools into corporate operations.

Nearly a quarter of the entries on the list are enterprise technology firms offering AI-related services. Robotics is also a rapidly growing sector, with 10 companies featured, ranging from makers of service robots that assist the elderly to companies developing specialized automation systems for research labs.

Biotech companies are also increasingly using robotics. This includes a company developing microscopic medical nanorobots that could potentially be used to deliver cancer treatment inside the body.

India's lead and investment flows

Green tech and sustainability are also an important part of the list, with 10 companies focused on solving environmental challenges. These include a company making plastic alternatives from seaweed and a supplier of modular treatment systems that convert seawater and industrial wastewater into freshwater.

Startups operating in these high-growth sectors have continued to attract investors. Companies on the list have raised a combined $2.4 billion to date, including nearly $1 billion so far in 2026.

A total of 16 countries and territories are represented on the list. India leads with 19 companies, followed by Singapore with 15, China with 10, Japan and South Korea with 9 each, while Indonesia and Australia are represented by 8 companies each.

As part of the selection process, Forbes Asia sought online applications and invited nominations from accelerators, incubators, universities, and venture capital investors. To qualify, companies had to be headquartered in Asia-Pacific, be privately held for-profit entities, have annual revenue of no more than $50 million, and have total funding of no more than $100 million as of August 15.

Our previous report highlighted rising private capital investment in intellectual property (IP)-based deep-tech manufacturing companies in India, where funding is accelerating in sectors such as space technology, semiconductors, defense, energy, and advanced machinery. The article showed, through examples such as Pixxel's Series C raise, how government incentives (R&D funds, PLI, etc.) and the theme of long-term strategic self-reliance are shaping investor decisions.

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