APAC startup AI spending has surged by 20% over the past year as regional founders aggressively reallocate capital toward artificial intelligence tools and infrastructure. According to a comprehensive study of over 37,000 small and medium-sized enterprises by Singapore-based fintech firm Aspire, this financial shift highlights a rapid transition from basic administrative automation to core product development. Aspire CEO Andrea Baronchelli noted that this reallocation of capital is directly aimed at maximizing operational efficiency in a highly competitive global market.
Detailing the specific tool usage, the report indicates that reliance on Anthropic's Claude model grew by three times. Even more striking is the adoption of the AI-coding tool Cursor, which saw a massive 4.2 times increase in usage. This specific metric suggests that startups are moving beyond generative text and are actively utilizing artificial intelligence to write code and build their foundational software products.
On a regional level, the study highlights a significant surge in new business creation within the tech sector. In Singapore, 30% of all new startups are now directly involved in artificial intelligence. In Hong Kong, the concentration is even denser, with two-thirds of new businesses onboarded in late 2025 originating from the AI sector. Baronchelli attributes this to a high level of institutional readiness and a new breed of founders who are leaning into global disruption rather than resisting it.
Aspire's Fintech Expansion and Market Position
Founded in 2018 by Andrea Baronchelli and Giovanni Casinelli, Aspire operates as an all-in-one B2B fintech application designed to help small business owners automate complex financial processes. The platform streamlines operations such as expense tracking and facilitates cross-border payments to both employees and vendors. Currently operating from its base in Singapore, the company serves over 50,000 SMEs across 16 countries, boasting a client roster that includes eSIM provider Airalo, e-commerce firm Carousell, and news website Tech in Asia.
The platform is backed by a roster of top-tier global investors, including U.S.-based Y Combinator and PayPal, Chinese tech giant Tencent, and the Southeast Asian arm of venture capital firm Sequoia Capital. Baronchelli reports that the platform has maintained an average year-on-year growth rate of 50%. Capitalizing on this momentum and the growing enterprise trust in fintech applications like Syfe and StashAway, Aspire secured licenses last December to expand its operations westward into the U.S., Australia, and Europe, aiming to position itself exactly where new, early-adopter businesses are being created.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did AI spending increase among APAC startups?
Spending on AI tools by founders in the Asia-Pacific region increased by 20% last year, driven by a strategic shift toward operational efficiency and core product development.
Which AI tools saw the highest growth in usage?
The Aspire study highlighted a 3-fold increase in the usage of Anthropic's Claude model and a significant 4.2-fold rise in the adoption of the AI-coding tool Cursor.
What is Aspire's role in this ecosystem?
Aspire is a Singapore-based B2B fintech platform that provides financial automation and cross-border payment services to over 50,000 SMEs globally, helping them scale efficiently.
My Take
The data presented by Aspire offers a clear leading indicator for the global tech economy: the Asia-Pacific region is no longer just adopting AI; it is building with it. The specific 4.2x surge in Cursor usage proves that capital is flowing directly into engineering velocity rather than just superficial generative AI marketing tools. Furthermore, with 66% of new Hong Kong businesses in late 2025 emerging from the AI sector, we are witnessing a hyper-concentration of talent and funding that will likely challenge Silicon Valley's traditional dominance. Aspire’s strategic expansion into the U.S. and Europe is perfectly timed to capture the lucrative cross-border financial flows of these rapidly scaling, AI-native enterprises.