AIIn 2025, KUMPUL marked ten years of work connecting entrepreneurs, communities, and ecosystem actors across the Asia-Pacific startup ecosystem. Over the past decade, KUMPUL has operated as a super connector that enables collaboration, expands access, and supports ecosystem development through structured engagement across markets.

Entering its tenth year, KUMPUL approached ecosystem growth as a process that requires trusted spaces, shared systems, and sustained coordination. These principles aligned closely with startup ecosystem trends 2025, where collaboration, cross-border access, and inclusive participation increasingly shape how entrepreneurs navigate growth across Asia-Pacific.

Startup Ecosystem Trends 2025 in the Asia-Pacific Region

One clear reflection of these trends was the KUMPUL Connect for Change Summit 2025. The global-level forum convened startups, MSMEs, investors, corporates, policymakers, and business support organizations to address the Missing Middle Economy in the Asia-Pacific region. The summit facilitated business matching sessions involving 807 participants and featured 128 speakers across 94 sessions on 78 stages.

The forum was designed to enable startup collaboration in Asia by aligning entrepreneurial needs with opportunities across borders. Discussions focused on practical constraints faced by growing businesses, including access to markets, capital readiness, and ecosystem coordination.

Expanding Startup Collaboration in Asia Through Global Alliance

Throughout 2025, KUMPUL expanded cross-border engagement through the establishment of a Global Alliance spanning seven countries. Eight Global MoUs were signed with strategic partners, including Techsauce from Thailand, ATLAS operating across Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, GDIN from South Korea, Creww connecting Korea and Japan, 01Booster from Japan, KAIA and SCG from South Korea, and Aakam 360 from India.

These partnerships strengthened startup collaboration in Asia by creating structured pathways for knowledge exchange, market entry, and ecosystem-level cooperation. Founders and business actors connected to KUMPUL gained access to regional networks that support cross-market learning and partnership development.

Recognition Within the ESG Landscape

KUMPUL’s ecosystem facilitation work in 2025 received recognition through the ESG Award 2025 presented by Yayasan KEHATI, where KUMPUL was named Best Facilitator. The award was positioned within Indonesia’s ESG landscape, particularly in relation to capital markets and financial services, reflecting the role of ecosystem intermediaries in supporting ESG-aligned business practices.

Sharing Insights Across Global Forums

During the year, KUMPUL contributed ecosystem insights at multiple international forums. These included Techsauce Global Summit in Bangkok, AVPN Global Conference in Hong Kong SAR, Japan Innovation Connect in Tokyo, Vietnam Innovation Summit in Ho Chi Minh City, Tamil Nadu Global Startup Summit in India, Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology, and Asia Matters Business Summit in Limerick, Ireland. Beyond these, KUMPUL participated in more than 25 ecosystem forums across Asia-Pacific.

These engagements provided opportunities to exchange field-based perspectives on startup development, impact-driven finance, and ecosystem coordination within the Asia-Pacific startup ecosystem.

Knowledge as a Shared Ecosystem Resource

KUMPUL treated ecosystem learning as a shared asset. In 2025, seven public research publications were released to capture entrepreneurial needs and ecosystem dynamics. Insights from this research informed the development of strategic tools and platforms.

One outcome was the Scale-Up Readiness Index, or SCRIN, an assessment system designed to evaluate business readiness for scale-up and identify capacity gaps. Another initiative was Access+, developed as an extension of ConnectPad, which connects users with curated partners for market access, smart financing, and operational support. Access+ also serves as a gateway to mentor, partner, and alumni networks within an inclusive startup ecosystem.

Program Reach Across the Inclusive Startup Ecosystem

Across 2025, KUMPUL implemented 14 programs reaching 10 international startups, 88 Indonesian startups, 511 MSMEs, and 7,525 talents. These initiatives included six startup acceleration and technology platform programs, four inclusive economy and community empowerment programs, and four programs focused on equitable growth and future innovation.

Program delivery was supported by 87 mentorship activities, 128 business matching sessions, and the involvement of 189 experts from diverse sectors.

Startup Acceleration and Technology Platforms

Acceleration initiatives included SheHacks 2025, a capacity-building program supporting women-led technology innovation in collaboration with Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison. BEKUP Accelerate, supported by the Ministry of Creative Economy, focused on post-MVP startups preparing for investment. SEMESTA AI, supported by Lintasarta, encouraged applied AI innovation. X-Hub Tokyo, supported by JETRO, assisted Japanese startups entering the Indonesian market. InnovateHer Academy 3.0, supported by FWD Insurance, targeted women-led startups at the MVP stage. BEKUP Scale Up extended support for startups preparing for subsequent growth phases.

Inclusive Economy and Community Empowerment

To ensure ecosystem participation reached relevant communities, KUMPUL implemented EmPower Phase II: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies with UN Women, Wonderful Indonesia Scale-up Hub supporting tourism MSMEs, Bale Berdaya in collaboration with AMMAN Mineral Nusantara, and SEED Inclusivity supporting founders with disabilities and accessible technology initiatives across Asia-Pacific.

Equitable Growth and Future Skills

Long-term capacity building continued through programs such as AI Ignition Indonesia, supported by AVPN, Google.org, and ADB, CARES focusing on community health workers and climate adaptation, AIM ASEAN led by ASEAN Foundation in partnership with AVPN, and GENsi, which builds AI literacy and digital skills among students and youth.

Activating the Ecosystem Beyond Programs

Beyond structured programs, KUMPUL activated the ecosystem through one global-level summit, two roundtable discussions, two global market insight webinars, three entrepreneur advancement events, and four networking events. Across these activities, 1,277 participants engaged with 27 collaborating partners, reflecting sustained interaction within the Asia-Pacific startup ecosystem.

Looking Ahead

As KUMPUL enters 2026, KUMPUL and KUMPUL Impact continue to focus on inclusive economic participation, community empowerment, and equitable innovation-led growth. The startup ecosystem trends 2025 highlighted the role of connection in expanding access. The next phase centers on ensuring that each connection contributes to sustained outcomes for entrepreneurs and communities across Asia-Pacific.

Grow Locally, Expand Globally with KUMPUL

As Indonesia’s leading entrepreneurship ecosystem enabler, KUMPUL accelerates growth by connecting entrepreneurs with strategic networks, exclusive resources, and expert insights.
We strengthen local communities while facilitating two-way global market access, helping international businesses tap into Indonesia’s dynamic ecosystem, and empowering local entrepreneurs to expand globally.

Through impactful collaborations with key industry players, KUMPUL enables entrepreneurs to scale efficiently, compete globally, and create meaningful impact.

Ready to be part of this journey? Complete this form and join KUMPUL in shaping the future of entrepreneurship!