Asia's ai-driven startup funding hits second-highest level in q3 2026

Asia’s startup funding reached its second-highest level in years during the third quarter of 2026, with $38.5 billion invested across seed- through growth-stage companies. AI-focused ventures accounted for 55% of this, or $21 billion, reflecting a global trend. China led the region with $27 billion, or 70% of all funding, followed by India at $2.9 billion and Singapore at $2.5 billion. Moonshot AI, a Beijing-based foundational model company, raised $3.5 billion in July, while Kling AI, a spinout from Kuaishou Technology, secured $3 billion. Late-stage funding totaled $20 billion, nearly double year-ago levels, with Moonshot AI’s $3.5 billion Series F being the largest round. Early-stage investment, though down 28% from the prior quarter, hit a yearly high at $13.6 billion, with seed funding reaching a record $4.9 billion.