By Greg Sutch, CEO, Intralink
For many tech scaleups, international expansion has traditionally meant looking to North America or Europe. Markets in Asia have often been set aside, assumed to be too difficult to enter because of the distance, not to mention the language and cultural differences.
But this assumption is changing – and fast. It’s not simply that western markets have matured or become more competitive. Ongoing disruption to global trade, economic uncertainty and slower growth across parts of Europe and North America are also prompting the most innovative tech scaleups to rethink where their greatest opportunities lie.
Meanwhile, many economies across Asia are expanding rapidly as governments and corporations accelerate digital transformation, automation and decarbonisation. This is creating strong demand for advanced technologies, with many Asian countries seeking international partners in areas where their domestic capabilities are lacking.
This means expansion into Asia can no longer be dismissed as ‘too difficult’. In fact, it’s rapidly becoming a strategic priority, with India, Vietnam and South Korea, in particular, emerging as some of the most dynamic and commercially attractive global markets for tech companies in 2026.
India: a global innovation and manufacturing powerhouse
India represents one of the world’s most significant growth opportunities. With a £3 trillion economy that is now the fourth largest globally, it offers both scale and momentum. More than 900 million digital users, a rapidly expanding middle class and a median population age of under 29 combine to create immediate commercial potential and sustained long-term demand.
Crucially, India’s strength lies not only in the size of its market, but in the depth of its talent. The country produces around a third of the world’s STEM graduates each year, generating a vast pool of engineers, developers and researchers. As a result, India is no longer simply a destination for outsourced services; it has become a hub for innovation, product development and advanced manufacturing.
This shift has been reinforced by a pro-business government and flagship initiatives such as Make in India and Digital India, alongside a range of production-linked incentive schemes. Together, these policies are accelerating investment in high-value sectors, while dedicated deeptech programmes are supporting research and commercialisation. The impact is evident across electronics, AI, clean energy, electric mobility, life sciences and aerospace – sectors where international tech firms are well placed to collaborate and grow.
For western SMEs, a ‘make and sell’ strategy, built on partnerships with India companies, is essential. The market is highly price sensitive and, without local manufacturing, it’s difficult to compete. But India’s ability to combine advanced manufacturing technology with abundant labour makes it one of the most cost-effective production bases globally. So, the opportunity is to make in India not only to sell to India, but to export to global markets, too.
Vietnam: rapid growth signals rising demand
Vietnam is also brimming with opportunity. With GDP growing around 7% annually and a business-friendly government, this country of over 100 million people is Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economy. It’s increasingly important as a global manufacturing hub, attracting investment from major electronics, automotive and industrial companies. And this, in turn, is driving demand for advanced manufacturing technologies, automation systems and industrial software.
Beyond manufacturing, Vietnam’s rapid urbanisation is creating opportunities in construction technology, infrastructure planning and environmental solutions. Agriculture, logistics and professional services are also undergoing digital transformation, opening doors for tech firms specialising in software, connectivity and data-driven technologies.
Vietnam’s youthful workforce, competitive costs and pro-business policies make it an attractive entry point for scaleups seeking an early foothold in a high-growth Southeast Asian market.
South Korea: major AI investment underway
South Korea offers opportunities at the cutting edge of technology. Already one of the world’s most advanced digital economies, the country is investing heavily in AI, next-generation data centres and digital infrastructure.
These investments are creating demand for AI platforms, enterprise software, cybersecurity solutions and other technologies that help integrate and scale digital systems. Tech companies with specialist expertise in these areas can achieve commercial success by collaborating with Korean firms and supporting large-scale industrial innovation.
South Korea’s strengths in sectors such as automotive, electronics, energy and advanced manufacturing also offer significant opportunities for collaboration and technology integration.
Long-term drivers
Broader trends across Asia reinforce these country-specific opportunities. Demographic shifts are driving demand for automation and digital services. Ageing populations in countries such as South Korea and Japan, for example, are increasing the need for robotics, healthcare technologies and productivity-enhancing solutions.
In contrast, countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia have young, rapidly growing populations. Indonesia, for instance, has around 280 million people, making it a huge market for both consumer and industrial products. And the wider Southeast Asian region has a population of almost 700 million – far larger than the EU’s 450 million – and is growing faster, both demographically and economically.
And, as its population expands, the region faces challenges in housing, healthcare, employment, agricultural production and waste management which tech companies can help it to address.
Decarbonisation is also a major priority. Governments and companies across Asia are investing heavily in renewable energy, battery technologies and low-carbon industrial processes. And tech scaleups with expertise in clean energy and sustainability are well positioned to support these transitions.
What does it take to succeed in Asia?
While the opportunities are significant, expanding into Asia requires careful planning.
Each country has its own regulatory environment, business culture and commercial structure. It’s important to focus on the markets most relevant to your technology and which, therefore, offer the greatest opportunities, rather than attempting to enter the entire region at once.
Spend time familiarising yourself with your target location and begin to develop the critical, on-the-ground relationships on which success depends. Partnering with an individual or company with deep local expertise, networks and cultural knowledge can provide invaluable support and intelligence.
Taking a long-term perspective is also essential. Companies that invest in understanding their chosen market and building credibility are far more likely to achieve sustainable growth.
A strategic opportunity not to be missed
So, Asia is rapidly becoming central to the global technology economy. Trade disruption and slower growth in western markets are accelerating this shift, but the underlying drivers – economic expansion, demographic change and sustained investment in innovation – are long term.
For tech companies seeking to scale internationally, Asia offers access to fast-growing markets, world-class talent and major commercial opportunities. And those that act now can build partnerships, reach new customers and position themselves at the forefront of global technology growth.
Author information
Intralink CEO Greg Sutch joined the company in 1996, having lived and worked in Japan and China for 15 years. He is now based in the UK.
Headquartered in Oxfordshire, Intralink helps companies secure customers, partners and investors overseas, and enables government agencies to grow their exports and attract foreign investment. The company has a presence in 27 locations including Shanghai, Beijing, New Delhi, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok, London, Paris, Silicon Valley, Boston and Toronto. See more at www.intralinkgroup.com.