Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/238472 
Year of Publication: 
2020
Series/Report no.: 
ADBI Working Paper Series No. 1115
Publisher: 
Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), Tokyo
Abstract: 
In many Asian countries we observe a rapid expansion of technology-oriented startups. Governments hope that these startups will boost economic growth, create jobs, and foster sustainable development. However, transforming an innovative idea into a successful business is not easy and is constrained by limited access to finance. We analyze access to finance for tech startups in four sectors - greentech, agritech, edtech, and healthtech - that are linked directly to the Sustainable Development Goals. The paper focuses on four countries, Cambodia, India, Thailand, and Viet Nam, and includes insights from interviews with startups, incubators, and other players. We find that tech startups rely on an array of financing sources and that venture capital is not a common source. In addition, greentech and agritech startups produce products that require long-term support through the design, testing, prototyping, and certification stages. Such "patient capital" is in short supply. On the positive side, enterprises in development-oriented sectors can seek funds from impact investors and international development (aid) agencies.
Subjects: 
startups
enterprise financing
Asia
JEL: 
M13
L26
G24
Creative Commons License: 
cc-by-nc-nd Logo
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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