New data released today by Angel Investment Network (AIN), the world’s largest online angel investment platform, challenges the “young tech prodigy” stereotype, revealing that the drive for Unicorn status in Asia-Pacific is being led by a generation of highly experienced, mid-career entrepreneurs.
According to the AIN Asia Pacific Founder Survey 2026, 70% of founders in the region are over the age of 45. Far from seeking a quiet “second act,” these mature entrepreneurs are doubling down on hyper-growth: 39% of startups still hold the ambition of becoming a “Unicorn” (a US$1 billion valuation).
Second jobs versus committing full time
The data reveals that Asia Pacific founders are more likely than their Western counterparts to commit full time to their venture. While 50 percent of US founders maintain a secondary job to support their venture, 56 percent of Asia Pacific’s founders are working on their startups exclusively.
Only a minority are splitting their time, with 21 percent working full-time and 23 percent part-time elsewhere. This suggests that the region’s older founders are leveraging significant personal experience and savings to focus entirely on their $1B ambitions.
The death of “local-only” fundraising
The survey highlights a total shift toward globalised capital. A significant 72 percent of Asia Pacific startups are now seeking a mixture of local and international investors, with 27 percent targeting international backers exclusively. Only 1 percent of founders are now looking solely within their local borders for funding. This is a clear signal that Asia Pacific ventures are being built for the global stage from day one.
Optimism amidst Sacrifice
Despite the high-pressure environment, optimism remains the dominant sentiment:
- 59 percent of founders report feeling optimistic about the year ahead (41% very optimistic).
- However, this ambition comes at a cost: 22 percent cite mental health as their biggest non-financial sacrifice, followed by friendships (19%), family (19%), and sleep (18%).
The due diligence gap
While founders are aggressive in their fundraising, the data reveals a critical vulnerability in the region’s deal-making process. 25 percent of founders admit to performing no due diligence on investors beyond a cursory online search. Only 30 percent conduct comprehensive checks, such as legal verification or founder references, leaving many at risk of “bad fit” capital.
“The ‘Unicorn’ dream is alive and well in Asia-Pacific, but it is being driven by experience rather than youth,” says Mike Lebus, Founder of Angel Investment Network. “We are seeing a new breed of ‘Global-First’ founders who are over 45, highly committed, and looking far beyond their home markets for capital. However, the data also shows a worrying gap in due diligence. In an era where cashflow is the number one challenge for 78% of startups, finding the right investor, not just any investor, is the difference between scaling or struggling.”
On the back of the findings, AIN is launching a new content series dedicated to improving the efficiency of fundraising, giving founders back time to focus on their business.
Toby Hicks is a Media Consultant with the Angel Investment Network. Founded by Mike Lebus, Angel Investment Network (AIN) is the world’s leading online platform for early-stage funding with 42 networks spanning 90 countries and a community of nearly 2 million users. AIN has facilitated funding for thousands of businesses globally, with investment ranging from £10,000 to £1m. The platform’s mission is to democratise access to capital by connecting entrepreneurs with the strategic investors they need to scale.
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