Forbes Asia Released Sixth Annual 100 to Watch List
The list tracks 100 startups across 16 Asia-Pacific territories that have collectively raised $2.4 billion in funding.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Startups
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Forbes Asia has published its sixth annual 100 to Watch list, highlighting emerging startups across the Asia-Pacific region that have demonstrated significant innovation and market fit. Selected companies were required to meet specific financial thresholds, including a maximum annual revenue of $50 million and total funding not exceeding $100 million.
Why it matters
The list identifies startups gaining momentum in key sectors like robotics and green technology, offering a snapshot of where regional venture capital is flowing. This assessment process serves as a barometer for early-stage business model viability and competitive scaling across diverse Asian markets.
The featured companies raised a total of $2.4 billion, with $1 billion of that capital secured in 2026 alone. To qualify, each startup had to demonstrate substantial growth while maintaining annual revenue below $50 million and total lifetime funding under $100 million.
The players
Forbes Asia
A regional business media publisher that tracks corporate performance and startup ecosystem growth through annual rankings and proprietary data.
The details
Forbes Asia solicited online submissions and vetted nominees through a team that evaluated impact, market fit, and business model innovation. The list highlights specific industries, with 10 robotics firms and 10 green technology companies among the final 100 selections. Nominations were sourced from a network of venture capitalists, accelerators, incubators, and university partnerships.
Timeline
August 15, 2026: Funding and revenue data cutoff for candidate consideration.
September 30, 2026: Official publication of the 100 to Watch list.
The Tech Race
This list marks the sixth year of a research program that tracks the competitive trajectory of early-stage firms in the Asia-Pacific region. The rankings provide a comparative look at how different countries, led by India and Singapore, are fostering innovation hubs compared to prior cycles.
Industry participants can use the list to monitor emerging vendors and potential partners currently undergoing rapid scaling. These companies represent the latest wave of market entrants in high-growth fields like robotics and environmental sustainability.
The takeaway
The list highlights a $1 billion surge in 2026 funding among emerging firms, underscoring intense capital competition for early-stage ventures. Watch the performance of the 20 robotics and green-tech companies featured to see if they successfully reach the next stage of commercial maturity.
Further reading
For more context on how regional emerging companies are scaling, explore the Startups section.
More information
View the full list of featured startups on the official portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Forbes India.
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