Uncovering the elusive Chinese tech founders dominating SEA

This is the latest version of an article first published on July 2, 2025. We’ve added 21 new founders to our list, along with a table of backers in companies started by Chinese entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia.

Two AI startups that have made the biggest headlines in Southeast Asia this year are Manus and PixVerse.

The former was acquired by Meta for US$2 billion, but Chinese regulators have blocked the deal. Meanwhile, PixVerse became the region’s first AI unicorn after raising US$300 million in a series C round in March.

The two companies have one thing in common: both were founded by Chinese entrepreneurs.

Chinese founders have started nine unicorns in Southeast Asia, including the region’s most valuable tech company, Sea Group. These firms account for 15% of all billion-dollar startups in Southeast Asia.

We define Chinese founders as individuals who are Chinese nationals or naturalized Singaporeans originally from China.

These entrepreneurs also launched third-party logistics company J&T Express, AI firm Advance Intelligence Group along with its subsidiary Advance.ai, banking and digital finance platform Akulalu, livestreaming app Bigo, and blockchain ventures Amber Group and Matrixport.

Another prominent billion-dollar company in Southeast Asia founded by Chinese entrepreneurs is Airwallex. 

The firm accounted for two of the five largest funding rounds in Southeast Asia over the past 12 months. Airwallex was originally founded in Australia before its founders established its global headquarters in Singapore.

Many Chinese founders are discreet, and a number of them don’t even have LinkedIn profiles. We’ve compiled this list of Chinese founders in Southeast Asia to offer an inside look at this influential yet elusive community. 

Singapore hosts most of the 63 companies on our list. Just seven of these businesses are based in Indonesia.

It’s also no surprise that regional startups founded by Chinese entrepreneurs tend to attract more investors from China. Tech in Asia’s data shows that 26% of the backers for these firms are funds from the country.