August 28, 2025 | 03:12 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - East Ventures, a leading sector-agnostic venture capital firm in Southeast Asia, announced that three of its portfolio companies have been recognized in the prestigious Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2025 list.
The fifth annual Forbes Asia 100 to Watch highlights the most promising startups and small companies across the Asia-Pacific region. The list showcases a dynamic and evolving ecosystem, with a growing emphasis on AI and deep tech innovations that are shaping the future of business.
With venture capital funding rebounding in 2025, the outlook for the region’s tech landscape is encouraging. The 100 companies on the list span 16 countries and territories, with India leading with 18 companies, followed by Singapore and Japan with 14 each, China with 9, Indonesia and South Korea with 8 each, and Australia with 7.
Investors are particularly drawn to high-growth sectors, such as biotechnology, space technology, and green technology. This year’s honorees include companies developing gene-editing therapies for cancer, producing advanced anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, and building innovative propulsion systems for spacecraft. The companies are categorized across 10 industry sectors, with biotechnology and healthcare leading with 18 entries, followed by enterprise technology and robotics with 16.
Collectively, the 100 companies have raised nearly US$3 billion in funding, up from US$2 billion for last year’s cohort, underscoring the region’s increasing investment momentum.
East Ventures’ partner, Melissa Irene, expressed her gratitude for the achievement. “We celebrate the bold ideas and perseverance of these founders, whose work is shaping the industries and creating meaningful impact in society. This recognition also inspires us at East Ventures to continue supporting and nurturing the entrepreneurs to drive long-term success and greater impacts in the region,“ she said.
Here are three East Ventures-backed startups listed in Forbes Asia 100 to Watch:
Aevice Health
This Singapore-based medtech company specializes in health wearable devices. Under Aevice Health, Adrian Ang invented AeviceMD, a smart wearable stethoscope, to monitor heart and respiratory rates. In May, AeviceMD received U.S. Food & Drug Administration clearance for its use on children above the age of three. Last year, the startup raised US$7 million in a seed-plus funding round with the participation of East Ventures.
Rekosistem
Rekosistem is a climate tech company offering digital waste management services to individuals and businesses in Indonesia. This Jakarta-based company collects, sorts, and recycles waste, tracking the entire process. It helps customers achieve waste-free targets and comply with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) guidelines. In May, Rekosistem raised US$7 million in a series A round, bringing total funding to US$12 million.
Ringkas
Ringkas aims to make mortgage financing more efficient and accessible for home buyers in Indonesia. The fintech's digital platform submits applications to multiple banks. Its AI tools help prequalify candidates through KYC (Know Your Customer) and creditworthiness checks. Through the platform, customers can transfer their mortgage to other lenders with more competitive rates and terms. In May, Ringkas raised US$5.1 million in pre-Series A funding to enhance its AI capabilities, increase its headcount, and expand its presence in Southeast Asia.
See the full list of Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2025 here
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