Asian Development Bank (ADB) Venture Capital Program (ADB Ventures) & Japan Agency Launched Southeast Asia Emerging Entrepreneurs Kickstart (SEEK) to Help Promising Startups Scale Solutions to Complex Development Challenges In Southeast Asia & the Pacific, Eligible Companies Will Receive Seed Funding of Up to $400,000 to Advance Solutions from Market Exploration to Commercial Deployment, Solutions Include Clean Energy, Sustainable Industry, Smart Mobility, Logistics, Sustainable Agriculture, Circular Economy, Inclusive Finance, Digital Economy & Resilient Communities
24th July 2026 | Hong Kong
Asian Development Bank (ADB) venture capital program (ADB Ventures) in partnership Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have launched Southeast Asia Emerging Entrepreneurs Kickstart (SEEK) to help promising startups scale solutions to complex development challenges in Southeast Asia & the Pacific, with eligible companies to receive seed funding of up to $400,000 to advance solutions from market exploration to commercial deployment. The solutions include clean energy, sustainable industry, smart mobility, logistics, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, inclusive finance, digital economy & resilient communities. Announcement (22/7/26): “The Asian Development Bank (ADB), through its venture capital program, ADB Ventures, has launched the Southeast Asia Emerging Entrepreneurs Kickstart (SEEK) in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to help promising startups scale solutions to complex development challenges in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. SEEK will support companies developing innovations that address regional needs in areas including clean energy, sustainable industry, smart mobility, logistics, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, inclusive finance, digital economy, and resilient communities. Eligible companies will be considered for seed funding of up to $400,000, helping advance their solutions from market exploration to commercial deployment. The program is supported by the High-Level Technology Fund (HLTF), an ADB trust fund financed by the Government of Japan. SEEK will initially target startups in Japan, leveraging the country’s expertise in technology and innovation and its growing community of startups focused on development solutions for Asia and the Pacific. The initiative will give selected companies access to market-entry support, connections to potential customers, investors, and partners across the region, and guidance from experts across various fields. This will help startups validate local demand, adapt business models, and prepare for regional expansion. Beyond supporting individual companies, SEEK aims to establish a replicable model to connect startup innovations with market and development needs.”
“ Asian Development Bank (ADB) Venture Capital Program (ADB Ventures) & Japan Agency Launched Southeast Asia Emerging Entrepreneurs Kickstart (SEEK) to Help Promising Startups Scale Solutions to Complex Development Challenges In Southeast Asia & the Pacific, Eligible Companies Will Receive Seed Funding of Up to $400,000 to Advance Solutions from Market Exploration to Commercial Deployment, Solutions Include Clean Energy, Sustainable Industry, Smart Mobility, Logistics, Sustainable Agriculture, Circular Economy, Inclusive Finance, Digital Economy & Resilient Communities “
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ADB Director General for Private Sector Operations Isabel Chatterton: ”Early-stage companies developing solutions to pressing development challenges often struggle to find capital, especially in emerging markets. Through SEEK, JICA helps prepare startups for regional expansion, while ADB Ventures provides the early-stage capital they need to grow. We are pleased to work with JICA—with support from HLTF—to help bring promising solutions to the markets where they are needed most.”
Ministry of Finance of Japan, International Bureau Multilateral Development Banks Division Director, Takaaki Nomoto: “Many Japanese startups possess innovative technologies and ideas with strong potential to address development challenges in ADB developing member countries. This initiative is expected not only to contribute to solving development challenges across Asia and the Pacific, but also to support Japanese companies in expanding into global markets. We hope that SEEK will help accelerate the piloting and market adaptation of these technologies in ADB developing member countries, facilitate the scaling of promising innovations, and bridge early-stage technologies with sustainable development outcomes.”
ADB Ventures – ADB Ventures backs early-stage companies with scalable solutions to complex development challenges across Asia and the Pacific. Through patient capital, early-stage support, and access to ADB’s regional networks, ADB Ventures helps startups validate markets, reduce risks, and scale in areas such as climate technology, inclusive finance, sustainable food systems, clean energy, and resilient communities.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – JICA is a bilateral aid agency implementing Japan’s Official Development Assistance. JICA operates in over 150 countries and regions, utilizing diverse modalities such as technical cooperation, official development loans, and grant aid to address the challenges faced by developing nations. Recognizing that global issues are deeply interconnected with Japan, JICA collaborates with domestic and international partners to resolve these challenges, thereby contributing to global peace, prosperity, and the further development of Japanese society.
ADB – ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) Venture Capital Program (ADB Ventures) & Japan Agency Launched Southeast Asia Emerging Entrepreneurs Kickstart (SEEK) to Help Promising Startups Scale Solutions to Complex Development Challenges In Southeast Asia & the Pacific, Eligible Companies Will Receive Seed Funding of Up to $400,000 to Advance Solutions from Market Exploration to Commercial Deployment, Solutions Include Clean Energy, Sustainable Industry, Smart Mobility, Logistics, Sustainable Agriculture, Circular Economy, Inclusive Finance, Digital Economy & Resilient Communities
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