COLLABORATION is emerging as a catalyst that can help Southeast Asia thrive in an increasingly digital global economy, particularly through the deliberate building of a strong startup ecosystem. Venture funding in the region has seen a rebound in 2025, with startups raising $909 million in the first quarter, up 30 percent from the previous quarter.

Furthermore, the Southeast Asia E-commerce Report last year showed fintech remained a dominant force within the digital economy and was expected to surpass $300 billion in gross merchandise value by the end of 2025 in Southeast Asia alone, driven by steady 15-percent year-on-year growth.