Over the last decade, tech startups have emerged as drivers of economic growth and innovation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. Facilitated by advancements in digital technologies and the region's digital economy, startups have revolutionised various industries, fostered innovation, and attracted substantial investments. Their proliferation has the potential to drive economic expansion, job creation, and sustainable development across the ASEAN region. Despite promising prospects, however, the journey towards establishing a robust startup ecosystem in ASEAN remains challenging and uneven across ASEAN Member States. Some of these challenges are related to digital infrastructure, access to finance, and talent acquisition. Moreover, the absence of a cohesive regulatory framework at both the national and regional levels poses significant obstacles to startup growth and sustainability.

The inaugural ASEAN Startup Policy Roundtable, organised by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre (E-DISC), was intended to facilitate comprehensive discussions and knowledge sharing amongst key stakeholders of the startup ecosystem, including from government, industry, academia, and international organisations, whilst fostering collaboration and generating actionable solutions. Going forwards, E-DISC will convene policy dialogues and continuous learning in the areas of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the digital economy, empowering ASEAN policymakers and entrepreneurs to navigate and to thrive within the regional startup landscape.