Investors in Southeast Asia are excited about artificial intelligence – but they are less enthusiastic about the region

We covered the effect of artificial intelligence on almost everything: health careand Bankingand agricultureand video gamesAnd even K-pop. (Side, check out My first appearance as a Korean singer– More than some help from the Korean artificial intelligence developer Supertone).

Dibsic Efficiency, strong – and most importantly, cheap – The Asian artificial intelligence conversation has rocked, prompting investors to give the developers of artificial intelligence in the region a second look and encourage companies to adopt new technology for themselves.

The administrative partner of Granite ASIA JIXUN FOO, speaking on our stage last week, “Deepseek” to give the democratic character to reach artificial intelligence throughout the region.

Optimism has also raised artificial intelligence Hong Kong stock marketWith investors rushing to invest in Chinese artificial intelligence developers such as Alibaba and Kuishou. The shares have risen in other Asian technology companies – such as TSMC, SoftBank, Naver’s Naver and Kakao – amid the mutation of artificial intelligence as well.

At first glance, Southeast Asia should be an attractive home for startups. The population of the region is young, still growing, and digitally. But in our conference stage, those who already have to finance these artificial intelligence endeavors They were more cautious.

Even the global slowdown, adventure financing in Southeast Asia decreased by approximately 80 % from 2022 levels CNBC. “The financing has been dramatically drained as people searched for the most profitable companies and fixed cash flows instead of technology companies that burn money,” said Helen Wong, the administrative partner of AC Ventures at the conference.

She urged investors to be careful. She said: “This is not a very mature environmental system, unlike China, as you have business pioneers who have had an intense competition … here is still a little more,” she said.

“What is the landscape of the exit here (in Southeast Asia)?” Physia KoH, the general partner of Play Ventures, asked during a separate plate on video games. “This was a challenge, and I did not envy the VCS that focuses on Southeast Asia.”

Singapore, the financial center of the region, did not have three subscription subscriptions this year as of mid -July. The largest, NTT DC Reit (Real Estate Investment Association in Data Centers from Japanese NTT) raised $ 773 million. The largest public subscription in Hong Kong – Secondary list From the giant Catl giant – it was raised at least $ 4 billion.

Public technology companies did not do well. In a recent number of magazine, my colleague Lionel Lim It tells the story Among these startups, the Gotot of Indonesian riding, whose shares decreased by almost 85 % since 2022 in Indonesia.

Koh added: “(It is) the capital markets are ripen enough to support a way out? It was not likely to be performed, as well as investors want it.”

Another reason why are you fighting in Southeast Asia? While it is big, it is not. completely As it is markets like China, India or the United States, “Why is there no Rednot in this part of the world?” Request Fu, using the global name for Successful Chinese social media platform violent xiahongshu. Southeast Asia, smaller than China (and division into different markets), lacks the effects of the network on charging the local content platform.

However, speakers noted that there are many opportunities in Southeast Asia to those who want to search for them. Wong noted that although Fintech and E-Commerce have suffered from startups, climate and sustainability still collect funds.

Matthew Graham from Ryze Labs said that there is “a huge opportunity for many of the most specific and very distinctive visions that could be billion dollars companies.” (However, he was not interested in the company “Trying to be 19 years”.

And those in Southeast Asia are ready to start investing again – even if not now. Fu said: “We want to be patient. We want to see the meeting of talents and adopt the market, and then we will start investing,” said Fu.

Nicholas Gordon
x: nickrigordon
Email: Nicholas.gordon@fortune.com

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Adventure deals

– BamyThe Programmed Optical Company has collected RedMond, WASH. , $ 59 million in series financing B from Industrial innovation fund in Amazonand Oman’s Ithcaand Border gatesAnd Metavc.

– Bustuteron you haveReno, the Hardware developer for Ai Multimodal, raised $ 51.6 million in funding from the A. Courage justice Partnersand Aterid managementAnd DFJ growth Lead Flume Projects And others.

– Bright peaksThe Austin developer, Texas, which is based in Texas, raised $ 50 million in financing from the series B. Og Venture Partners led the tour and joined by Lightspeed Venture Partners and Vertex growth.

– SuperstitiousSan Francisco -based Human Risk Management platform raised $ 31 million in financing Greylock Partners and Redpoint Projects.

– E2BA provider in San Francisco for open source cloud infrastructure designed for artificial intelligence agents, $ 21 million of funding from the A. vision Partners Lead Despeland sunflower capitaland SoAnd owners investors.

– Julius AIThe collection of a datab analyst from artificial intelligence in San Francisco for Knowledge Workers, $ 10 million of seed financing from Bis Venture Partnersand y combinatorand Horizon Vcand Amnesty International Scholarshipand 8VCAnd owners investors.

– It arrives protectionAnd he is a developer who is working in itself based in San Francisco, designed to reduce exposure to security risks, raising $ 10 million of funding from M12 And current investors, including Craft adventureS.

– a tripA provider of mental health solutions in New York City for companies, $ 8 million of financing from the series A. Cambrian growth partners Lead Manchester storyand Canaan Partnersand J-Venturesand J -impactand Angels of life sciencesand Health technology capitalAnd others.

– Overwatch photographyHOOD River, a developer of air -mobile imaging systems and automation programs on behalf of smart intelligence and monitoring, raised $ 6 million in financing. Ventures team Lead SEMCAP you havethe Lift the direct fund in OregonAnd Edo Capital.

– KeyeThe New York City Organization for Special Stock teams, $ 5 million of seed financing from Surinson capitaland general Stimulusand y combinatorand eraand Tiffres projectsand Dunamu Venturesand Capital in the governorateAnd owners investors.

Private property rights

– BVP Forge The majority share has gained in BetterrxHospice Salt Lake City Pharmacy platform. The financial conditions have not been revealed.

Output

– eqt and CPP investments He agreed to acquire NewagovEl Segundo provider, Calif. Warburg Pinkos and Carlyal. The financial conditions have not been revealed.

– Gridiron Capital He agreed to acquire Greenix pest controlOrim Company, Ettah -based pest march, from Rita Capital Group. The financial conditions have not been revealed.

– Warburg Pinkos He agreed to acquire FlavorsKAALAMAZOO, Mich. Mishi headquarters Riverid Company. The financial conditions have not been revealed.

last

– Cute – Good He agreed to acquire CGNIGYAnd a developer based in Dallas for customer service agents, in a deal that the company estimated at approximately 955 million dollars.

Writing subscriptions

– FigmaSan Francisco’s design software is now planning to raise up to $ 1.15 billion at 36.9 million shares ranging between $ 30 and $ 32. The company recorded sales of $ 821 million for the year ending March 31, 2025. Project indexand Greylock partnersand KPCB Propertyand Sikoya capitalAnd Wu-wallace family Confident Company support.

– Al -Wirepiece SpaceCedar Park, Company Sace and Defense Technology Company, based in Texas, has announced plans to raise 631.8 million dollars in a $ 16.2 million offer at a price of $ 35 and $ 39 on the NASDAC Stock Exchange. The company recorded revenues of $ 108 million for the year ending March 31, 2025. AE industrial partnersand The weekly instituteAnd Thomas Marcosick Company support.