The structural hurdles facing Southeast Asian startups

Nikkei Asia reports that founders and investors cite barriers for foreign entrepreneurs, unpredictable bureaucracy, limited capital and difficulty expanding beyond home markets. Equity funding showed signs of recovery in 2026, though the report says a two-tranche round for DayOne Data Centers largely drove the rise. People in the sector also cited a shortage of exits that discourages investment and limits capital available for reinvestment.