HSBC Launches $10B Asia Growth Fund to Support Regional Startups and Fintechs

Hong Kong — October 2025

HSBC Holdings Plc, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations, has announced the launch of a $10 billion Asia Growth Fund aimed at accelerating the expansion of startups and technology-driven businesses across the Asia-Pacific region. The fund represents one of the bank’s most ambitious initiatives to date, signaling a strategic pivot toward innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation in emerging economies.

> “Asia remains the engine of global growth, and its innovation ecosystem is now driving the next wave of financial and technological transformation,” said Noel Quinn, Group CEO of HSBC. “With this fund, we aim to empower entrepreneurs who are building sustainable and inclusive businesses that will define the future.”

A Major Bet on Asia’s Innovation Economy
The Asia Growth Fund will target early- and mid-stage companies operating in fintech, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and green mobility sectors. HSBC plans to deploy the capital over five years, with an emphasis on supporting scalable technologies that enhance financial inclusion, reduce emissions, and promote cross-border trade efficiency.

The fund will operate through a combination of direct equity investments, strategic partnerships, and co-investments with regional venture capital firms. It will be managed by HSBC Asset Management’s Private Capital Division, with offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai, and Tokyo.

> “We’re not just providing capital — we’re providing connectivity,” said Surendra Rosha, Co-CEO of HSBC Asia-Pacific. “Our network across 60 markets allows us to help startups expand globally while giving investors confidence in their regional growth potential.”

Strategic Focus Areas
According to HSBC executives, the fund will prioritize three key themes shaping Asia’s financial future:

1. Fintech and Digital Payments — Supporting startups developing blockchain, AI-driven risk management, and digital banking tools. 
2. Sustainable Infrastructure — Financing clean energy projects, electric mobility platforms, and smart cities. 
3. Inclusive Finance — Investing in startups that provide affordable access to banking, insurance, and credit in underserved markets.

The fund will allocate at least 30% of its capital to climate-focused ventures, aligning with HSBC’s goal of achieving net-zero financed emissions by 2050.

Strengthening Asia’s Startup Ecosystem
Asia’s startup landscape has seen exponential growth, with venture investments exceeding $180 billion in 2024, according to PitchBook data. Countries such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and South Korea are emerging as innovation hubs, particularly in fintech and green technology.

“Asia has become the proving ground for next-generation financial solutions,” said Clara Tan, partner at Vertex Ventures. “HSBC’s entry adds institutional credibility and long-term stability to a market traditionally dominated by private VC players.”

The fund will also collaborate with regional accelerators and government innovation agencies, including Singapore’s Enterprise SG, India’s Startup India, and Hong Kong’s Cyberport, to identify high-potential ventures.

Empowering the Fintech Revolution
HSBC’s initiative builds on its long-standing commitment to fintech innovation. The bank has previously invested in digital payment startups such as Airwallex (Australia) and Toss (South Korea), both of which have grown into multi-billion-dollar fintechs.

> “Financial inclusion and technology innovation go hand in hand,” said Nuno Matos, CEO of HSBC Wealth and Personal Banking. “This fund allows us to expand that mission — helping millions of unbanked individuals and SMEs access the global economy.”

In addition to direct investment, HSBC will provide portfolio companies with access to its global client network, advisory services, and trade financing solutions — creating a powerful growth ecosystem for startups.

Driving Regional Sustainability and Green Finance
A significant portion of the Asia Growth Fund will focus on sustainable finance, investing in climate-tech ventures working on energy storage, carbon capture, and clean transportation. HSBC has committed more than $1 trillion in sustainable finance and investment by 2030, and this fund is a key part of that roadmap.

The bank is already in talks with Temasek Holdings and SoftBank Vision Fund 2 for potential co-investments in renewable energy startups across India and Southeast Asia.

“Investing in sustainability is no longer optional — it’s fundamental to economic resilience,” said Quinn. “The future of finance must serve both profit and purpose.”

Analyst and Market Reactions
Market analysts have welcomed the announcement as a strategic win for HSBC, which has been seeking to strengthen its leadership position in Asia amid rising competition from local and regional players.

“HSBC is essentially doubling down on its home turf,” said David Lum, banking analyst at DBS Group Research. “By combining venture capital with commercial banking expertise, it’s creating a bridge between traditional finance and the innovation economy.”

HSBC shares rose 2.1% following the announcement, with investors optimistic about the bank’s potential to capture long-term growth opportunities in the region’s booming technology markets.

Looking Ahead
The Asia Growth Fund reinforces HSBC’s transformation into a more agile, tech-forward financial institution. As global capital flows increasingly shift toward Asia, the fund positions HSBC at the intersection of finance, innovation, and sustainability.

> “We believe the next generation of unicorns will emerge from Asia — and we want to be part of their journey,” Quinn concluded.

The bank plans to begin disbursing funds in early 2026, with the first wave of investments focusing on startups in Singapore, India, and Indonesia. Through this initiative, HSBC aims to not only generate strong financial returns but also contribute to shaping a more sustainable, inclusive, and digitally connected Asia.