Aspire, the Singapore-based fintech firm, has on Thursday announced a strategic partnership with venture capital firm Antler to strengthen the financial foundations of early stage founders building global-first businesses.
The duo said in a statement that the move comes as Aspire demonstrates strong momentum among early stage startups, recording 46 percent year-on-year growth globally and targeting a further 2.3 times increase in startup customers in 2026.
“Partnering with Antler lets us reach founders at the exact moment they’re making critical infrastructure decisions,
“We’re seeing exceptional momentum — because founders increasingly understand that fragmented financial tools slow you down. When you’re moving money in multiple currencies and hiring across continents, you need one platform that just works,” said Andrea Baronchelli, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Aspire.
The Antler partnership connects Aspire with founders at inception stage providing immediate access to integrated financial infrastructure as companies begin operations and prepare for growth.
“At Antler, we are the first institutional investor for hundreds of startups across Southeast Asia and Japan each year, many of which are global from day one,
“As these teams build and operate across multiple markets early on, the need for integrated systems that can support cross-border operations becomes clear very quickly,” said Hiro Kiga, Partner at Antler Southeast Asia and Japan.
He also said this partnership strengthens the support system around how founders work today, and their commitment to ensuring they have the right foundations in place as they scale internationally.
Beyond customer acquisition numbers, Aspire is observing clear indicators of increased operating intensity across its startup base.
According to the firm, artificial intelligence (AI) startups represented approximately 30 percent of new startup additions, reflecting broader market trends that saw AI account for close to half of global venture funding in 2025.
Meanwhile, startup customers are now processing 50 percent more in annual payments than two years ago, signaling heightened commercial activity despite a tighter funding environment
Besides, new startup customers are executing 30 percent more foreign exchange transactions in their first 30 days compared to previous cohorts, reflecting more frequent cross-border payments as teams hire internationally and expand into new markets earlier in their lifecycle.
“Early-stage founders are operating with far greater intensity from the outset,
“Higher payment volumes, increased FX activity and the rise of AI-led startups all point to a more commercially active startup base,” said Asad Kalimi, VP and Global Head of Partnerships and Sales.
It is noted that Aspire provides a borderless financial operating system that allows founders to manage global cash flows, cross-border payments and financial workflows in one place.
The platform combines banking, payments, accounting and financial operations into a single solution designed specifically for global-first businesses.
Aspire’s startup momentum builds on its broader expansion across Asia-Pacific, Europe and the United States, supported by new regulatory licenses, market launches and strategic partnerships, said the statement.
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