Originally published in Forbes Australia by James McCreery.
Seven Australian companies have earned spots on the 2025 Forbes Asia 100 to Watch list. The annual list, now in its fifth year, highlights emerging businesses across the region, with this year’s entries collectively raising nearly $3 billion in funding.
Australia’s entries cover everything from battery tech to digital health. Blinq is replacing paper business cards with a digital platform now used in 189 countries. Heidi Health is applying AI to automate clinical documentation for doctors. In energy, ElectraLith is commercialising Monash University research to refine lithium without water or chemicals, while Sicona Battery Technologies has developed new anode materials that make batteries charge faster and last longer.
Ecojoule Energy, based in Queensland, is tackling grid instability with storage and voltage regulation devices. Sydney-based Neara builds virtual models of electrical networks to help utilities manage infrastructure under stress, and Unleash Live uses AI video analytics to monitor everything from airport passenger flows to industrial sites.
Australia had the largest presence in the Energy & Green Tech sector, contrasting the increasing focus on AI and deep tech in the Asia-Pacific.
Companies from 16 countries and territories have made the list, spanning 10 industries from finance and E-commerce to space technology. Biotechnology and healthcare has dominated with 18 features, followed by enterprise technology and robotics with 16.
Venture capital across Asia-Pacific is starting to recover after hitting a decade low at the end of 2024. A KPMG report cited by Forbes Asia notes India, Japan and Singapore as the main beneficiaries of renewed investor appetite.
That shift is reflected in this year’s 100 to Watch list. India leads with 18 companies, while Japan has risen to equal second place with Singapore at 14 each. China follows with nine, alongside Indonesia and South Korea with eight apiece. Australia sits just behind with seven.
