ASIATODAY.ID, NAGOYA — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have launched a new initiative to connect Japan’s emerging startup ecosystem with development opportunities across Southeast Asia and the Pacific, aiming to accelerate innovation-driven solutions for the region’s most pressing challenges.
The Southeast Asia Emerging Entrepreneurs Kickstart (SEEK) initiative was officially introduced through ADB Ventures at the ADB Innovation for Development Business Seminar in Nagoya, Japan, on 15 July 2026.
The program is designed to help promising Japanese startups expand beyond domestic markets by providing early-stage financing, business development support, and access to regional networks across Asia-Pacific.
SEEK will focus on startups developing technologies and solutions in critical sectors, including clean energy, sustainable industries, smart mobility, logistics, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, inclusive finance, digital transformation, and resilient communities.
Selected companies will be eligible for seed funding of up to US$400,000, enabling them to validate market opportunities, adapt solutions to local needs, and move toward commercial deployment in emerging markets.
The initiative is supported by the High-Level Technology Fund (HLTF), an ADB trust fund financed by the Government of Japan.
Connecting Japanese Innovation with Asia’s Growth Challenges
ADB said many early-stage companies developing solutions for global challenges often face difficulties accessing capital and entering emerging markets.
“Through SEEK, JICA helps prepare startups for regional expansion, while ADB Ventures provides the early-stage capital they need to grow,” said Isabel Chatterton, ADB Director General for Private Sector Operations.
The initiative will initially target startups in Japan, leveraging the country’s advanced technology capabilities and growing innovation ecosystem to address development priorities in ADB member economies.
Beyond financial support, participating startups will receive market-entry assistance, opportunities to connect with potential customers and investors, and expert guidance to strengthen their expansion strategies across the region.
Japan’s Technology Diplomacy Expands Across Asia-Pacific
Japan’s Ministry of Finance welcomed the initiative, saying Japanese startups have significant potential to contribute to sustainable development while expanding their global footprint.
“Many Japanese startups possess innovative technologies and ideas with strong potential to address development challenges in ADB developing member countries,” said Takaaki Nomoto, Director of the Multilateral Development Banks Division at Japan’s International Bureau.
He added that SEEK could help accelerate technology adaptation, scale promising innovations, and create stronger links between early-stage companies and sustainable development outcomes.
The partnership reflects a broader trend of strengthening innovation-driven cooperation between Japan and emerging economies across Asia, where technology, digital transformation, and sustainable industries are becoming key engines of future growth.
Through ADB Ventures, ADB provides early-stage investment and support for companies developing scalable solutions in areas such as climate technology, clean energy, sustainable food systems, inclusive finance, and resilient communities.
Meanwhile, JICA continues to support international development cooperation through technical assistance, official development loans, and grant programs across more than 150 countries and regions.
With SEEK, ADB and JICA aim to establish a scalable model that bridges startup innovation with market opportunities, helping transform technology into practical solutions for sustainable growth across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. (AT Network)
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