Asia's rise as a global technology innovation hub is a testament to the power of a talented, diverse workforce and creative entrepreneurs. These perspectives are instrumental in developing technologies that improve the quality of life and keep economies thriving. - BY Jill Motley

Contrary to the Western perception, the workforce in Asia is not a homogenous group. It is a vibrant tapestry of different ethnicities and expatriates, each contributing to economic success. Diversity is not just a buzzword, but a critical driver of innovation, especially in dynamic and rapidly evolving sectors such as technology.

In Asia's technology hubs, including areas like Bengaluru (often referred to as the "Silicon Valley of India"), Tokyo, Singapore, and Zhongguancun, diversity and inclusion are the lifeblood of creativity, problem-solving, and economic growth. The profound impact of this diversity on the global tech landscape is evident as new technologies enhance the quality of life, and forward-looking technologies in areas like robotics and biotechnologies strive to make visions a reality.

Technology Hubs Attract Innovators

Asia is a hotbed of technology hubs and a global leader in innovation. The breadth and depth of innovation are truly remarkable. This has transformed Asia into a tech mecca, attracting talented innovators from around the world and fostering a cross-cultural, cross-discipline workforce dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technology. A skilled, diverse workforce nurtures creative thinking and novel problem-solving approaches.

Importantly, Asian governments are actively supporting the influx of technology corporations and entrepreneurs through policies that foster development. The collaboration among individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds often leads to innovative solutions, as these teams can tackle problems from multiple angles and draw on a wide range of expertise. Well-supported technology hubs thus become magnets for innovators. A good example of this is “The Silicon Valley of India” in Bengaluru. This city has transformed itself into a significant technology hub on the global stage and is the leading exporter of information technology. Bengaluru attracts professionals worldwide, making it a melting pot of cultures with a significant expatriate community from Europe, the United States, and other parts of Asia. Achieving its status as a leading technology hub results from a coordinated approach to bringing diversity to research and development.

Helpers further feed each hub

Once established, hubs need to be fed to continue to grow. This is done by helpful local institutions. For example, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) contribute significantly to the local talent pool. These institutions also attract students from all over India and abroad, adding to the diversity. Initiatives aimed at increasing women's participation in technology are crucial in Bengaluru. Organizations and support groups like Women in Technology (WiT) and various women-centric hackathons and workshops are empowering more women to join the tech workforce. Bengaluru is now one of the most ethnically diverse cities in India, with over half of the population migrating from other areas of India.

Another example is the city-state of Singapore, which has built a state-of-the-art infrastructure that supports high-tech industries. It has established agencies like the Economic Development Board (EDB) to encourage innovation and attract tech companies. Singapore has also developed key innovation hubs like one-north and Fusionopolis that host a mix of start-ups, incubators, accelerators, and research labs. These hubs facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among different players in the tech industry. The city-state invests heavily in research and development (R&D) through institutions like the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Partnerships between public research institutions and private companies drive cutting-edge innovations in various fields, including biomedical sciences, advanced manufacturing, and digital technologies.

Singapore is thus able to serve as a hub for multiple tech sectors, including fintech, biotech, medtech, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. The fintech sector, in particular, has seen significant growth, supported by a forward-thinking regulatory framework and initiatives like the Monetary Authority of Singapore's FinTech Regulatory Sandbox. Singapore attracts a highly skilled workforce worldwide thanks to its high quality of life, excellent education system, and comprehensive immigration policies for skilled professionals. Local universities like the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) rank among the top globally, producing graduates equipped with the skills needed in the tech industry.

Unicorns and Startups

Japan’s government introduced a Five-year Startup Development Plan in 2022 to create 100 unicorns (private startup companies valued under $1 billion) and 100,000 startups. Supporting the plan, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government introduced its Global Innovation with Startups strategy in November 2022. As a result, the Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB) was developed and had a huge, successful launch in November 2023. Since then, the TIB has held over 100 events to attract international corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs worldwide. There are bilingual staff, multilingual interpretation services, platforms to build collaborations with universities and investors worldwide, and a call to startups to join TIB. The hub developers decided from the start that diverse perspectives would be vital to growing the innovation base.

Zhongguancun in northwestern Beijing is being dubbed as “China’s Silicon Valley.” It has attracted more than 300 multinationals that have established regional headquarters and research centers. Beijing has almost 100 universities and colleges and 1,000 scientific research institutions attracting diverse ethnicities nationwide. The city is also home to 114 unicorn companies and has 43% of the country’s top talent in artificial intelligence. Attracting global technology experts worldwide to collaborate on innovations is a way to integrate science, technology, and social challenges globally.

Diversity in Innovation is an Economic Generator

There are so many more innovation hubs in Asia driving advancements in technology across disciplines, from tech-based medical devices to robotics to computer hardware and software to artificial intelligence. The efforts of hub companies and entrepreneurs are influencing every industry. The hubs foster corporate giants and startups working side-by-side to perpetuate a positive cycle of growth.

One of the positive benefits of establishing hubs open to the respective country’s innovators and global innovators is that they are proving to be driving forces of diversity and inclusion. Countries that have discouraged diversity in the past are establishing initiatives to attract diverse entrepreneurs. Their economies benefit from the presence of these entrepreneurs and global tech companies. This proves once again that diversity works!