Asian entrepreneurs embody a rich tapestry of cultures and experiences. They drive innovation, making significant contributions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem while developing and delivering solutions that improve lives.-By Anna Gonsalves

Asian entrepreneurs are contributing to innovation, job creation, and economic growth worldwide. From successful global corporations to Silicon Valley startups to small businesses, Asian entrepreneurs are creating a lasting impact. Their perseverance, creativity, and success stories exemplify the diverse entrepreneurial spirit that produces innovation.

In the U.S., the Asian American community encompasses Chinese, Indians, Koreans, Filipinos, Vietnamese, and many others. This rich tapestry of cultures and experiences contributes to entrepreneurial endeavors that range from technology startups to healthcare ventures and everything in between. Add the accomplishments of Asian Americans to the achievements of notable global Asian entrepreneurs and the result is a powerful force for innovation, growth, and quality of life improvements.

Global Business Landscape is Filled with Innovation

Asian entrepreneurs and start-ups have been disrupting industries and making significant contributions to the global business landscape. They are visionaries who change lives. Asians are responsible for some of the most popular innovations worldwide, yet many people are unfamiliar with their names. Jack Ma is one of the most renowned entrepreneurs in Asia. He transformed Alibaba from a small e-commerce company into one of the world's largest and most valuable firms. Alibaba's platforms have revolutionized online shopping, contributing to the growth of e-commerce globally.

Masayoshi Son, founder and CEO of SoftBank Group, is known for his technology investments. Headquartered in Tokyo, SoftBank's Vision Fund has invested in disruptive start-ups worldwide, including Uber, WeWork, and Slack. Through its investments, SoftBank is advancing AI and driving the next information revolution.

Bhavish Aggarwal is the co-founder and CEO of Ola Cabs, one of India's leading ride-hailing companies. Ola has disrupted the traditional taxi industry by providing affordable and convenient transportation services. Aggarwal's entrepreneurial journey with Ola highlights the potential for tech-driven innovation in emerging markets.

William Tanuwijaya is the co-founder and CEO of Tokopedia, Indonesia's largest e-commerce platform. Tokopedia is driving the growth of e-commerce in Indonesia, empowering millions of small businesses to reach customers nationwide. Tanuwijaya's success with Tokopedia reflects the growing importance of the digital economy in Southeast Asia.

Chatri Sityodtong is the founder and CEO of ONE Championship, Asia's largest sports media company. ONE Championship is a global leader in martial arts entertainment, with events broadcast to millions worldwide. Sityodtong's vision for ONE Championship has helped promote Asian martial arts and culture globally. Tan Hooi Ling and Anthony Tan co-founded Grab, Southeast Asia's leading super app offering ride-hailing, food delivery, and financial services. Grab is an integral part of daily life for millions, providing convenient and affordable services. Ling and Tan's entrepreneurial journey with Grab also reflects the potential for tech-enabled solutions to address the needs of emerging markets.

These entrepreneurs and start-ups exemplify the dynamism and innovation driving Asian entrepreneurship and start-up culture. They shape industries and significantly impact the global business landscape. Their efforts always begin by identifying a need and developing a solution that improves people's quality of life.

Asian Americans Lead Innovation in the U.S.

Asian entrepreneurs have also made significant contributions to the entrepreneurial landscape in the United States. Some are well-known, but others are not, so here are a few examples of the Asian entrepreneurial spirit at work in America.

Though originally from South Africa, Elon Musk is of Asian descent through his maternal lineage. He is one of the world's most prominent entrepreneurs, known for co-founding companies like Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company. Musk's innovative vision has revolutionized the automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy industries, among others.

Jerry Yang and David Filo, both of Taiwanese descent, co-founded Yahoo! in 1994, which became one of the pioneering internet companies in the United States. Yahoo! started as a web directory and evolved into a major internet portal offering various services, including search, email, and news. Jen Rubio and Steph Korey, both of Asian descent, co-founded Away, a direct-to-consumer luggage company that has disrupted the travel industry. Away's innovative suitcases and travel accessories have gained popularity for their design, functionality, and affordability.

Patrick and John Collison, originally from Ireland but of Asian descent through their maternal side, co-founded Stripe, a fintech company that provides payment processing solutions for online businesses. Stripe has become one of the leading payment platforms globally, powering millions of transactions.

Michelle Phan is of Vietnamese descent and a prominent beauty entrepreneur and YouTube personality. She co-founded Em Cosmetics, a makeup brand that emphasizes self-expression and empowerment. Phan's success as a beauty influencer and entrepreneur has made her a leading figure in the cosmetics industry. Steve Chen and Jawed Karim, both of Asian descent, co-founded YouTube, the world's largest video-sharing platform. YouTube has revolutionized how people consume and share video content online, becoming a cultural phenomenon and a dominant force in digital media.

These Asian entrepreneurs in the U.S. have demonstrated creativity, innovation, and resilience. They have contributed to the growth and development of various industries and shaped the country's entrepreneurial landscape.

Delivering Solutions Across Regions

India has a well-publicized waste problem, and Recykal is tackling it through technology. Abhay Deshpande started the company’s first waste commerce company in 2016 and earned the World Economic Forum award for Technology Pioneers in 2022. By then, it was channeling more than 200,000 MT of waste in pursuit of a vision to build a self-sustaining circular economy in India. In 2023, the company was ranked fourth on Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies.

Lim Wai Mun is the founder and CEO of Doctor Anywhere, which was founded in 2017. The company's vision is to provide simple, accessible, and efficient healthcare. Headquartered in Singapore, it is the only telemedicine platform that localizes operations across six Southeast Asian countries. Users access a mobile app and can participate in online consultations with doctors. In 2022, Mun was named the EY Entrepreneur of the Year—Health Care Services.

Common Vision

Asian entrepreneurs represent a dynamic and diverse community that profoundly impacts the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through their ingenuity, determination, and resilience, they are achieving success for themselves and contributing to the world's prosperity and vitality. The names mentioned are just a sample of the Asians and Asian Americans who have seen a problem and developed a creative solution.