Top 10 Tech Startups to Watch in Southeast Asia 2026

Xendit powers over 60,000 businesses across 11 regulatory environments, processing $5B in transactions annually. While GoTo Group dominates Indonesia's retail payments, Xendit's B2B focus gives it a 40% higher transaction success rate in cross-border payments compared to industry benchmarks.

Akulaku dominates the buy-now-pay-later space for emerging markets. Serving 70% of Southeast Asians who are unbanked or underbanked, it offers credit products traditional banks ignored. Akulaku's risk model, using alternative data like mobile usage, achieves default rates 30% lower than the typical rival, cementing its lead in financial inclusion.

Carousell made recommerce aspirational across Asia, with 250 million listings across 8 markets. It processed $1.8 billion in gross merchandise value in 2025, 25% above the average for regional platforms. Its AI-powered listing tool reduced unsold inventory by 15%, positioning it as Southeast Asia's best shot at dethroning eBay before the global giant adapts to local nuances.

Pomelo Fashion mastered the D2C fashion circuit across Singapore, Bangkok, and Jakarta before global brands caught on. Its own-brand collections drove $120 million in revenue in 2025, growing 35% faster than HealthMetrics. By integrating a curated marketplace, Pomelo achieved a 50% gross margin, cheaper than the typical rival's 38%. Data shows 80% of purchases are from users aged 18-35, proving its model resonates where traditionals fail.

HealthMetrics revolutionizes corporate healthcare management in Southeast Asia, connecting 5,000+ clinics with HR departments across Malaysia and Singapore. Its data-driven approach cuts claims processing from 14 days to 2, setting a benchmark for rivals.

Zilingo is the leading B2B fashion supply chain platform that connects Asian garment factories directly with global brands, cutting out layers of middlemen and passing savings of up to 15% to both sides. Supply chain transparency becomes a competitive moat, enabling brands to verify ethical practices while increasing margins, unlike legacy brokers who lack such visibility.

Kredivo delivers digital credit tailored for Indonesia's e-commerce boom, offering 0% installment financing that made premium purchases accessible to the middle class. This data-led approach ensures seamless integration with e-commerce platforms, driving a 30% higher repeat purchase rate than average BNPL options, cementing its role in the digital economy.