Alpha Startups™
Pre-Accelerator
From Idea to MVP — Alpha Startups™ Pre-Accelerator is for You
Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale, the 10-week Alpha Startups™ Pre-Accelerator is designed to help you move fast, validate your ideas, and grow your startup.
🚀 Apply now to take your startup to the next level — whether you’re in the ideation stage or building momentum toward growth.
đź“… Registration closes: 20 July 2025
đź“Ť Programme starts: 31 July 2025
đź’» Format: Hybrid (virtual + in-person sessions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
We’re industry-agnostic, with a focus on Deeptech, AI, SME B2B solutions, and Decarbonisation technologies. Open to startups across Southeast Asia.Â
Key Highlights of ASDA in April 2021 (Cohort 36)
What is a
Pre-Accelerator?
In Alpha Startups™ pre-accelerator programme, it’s similar to an intensive bootcamp to guide new & aspiring entrepreneurs on how to start & run a startup business.
Selected teams of entrepreneurs, developers and designers get to work together to test and validate their scalable product or start-up idea. Participants do this with the help of their peers. Daily deliverables are expected, mentorship is available, and commitment is required!
Alpha Startups™
Alpha Startups™ is organised by 1337 Ventures, a Malaysian early-stage venture capital firm, in collaboration with Leet Academy, our education arm. One of Alpha Startups’ main goals is to help early-stage startups find product-market fit. This award-winning flagship accelerator programme is now 64 cohorts strong.
The AlphaStartups™ Pre-Accelerator is run on a hybrid style (a mix of virtual & physical sessions) as well as some self-paced learning. This programme is free of charge, but attendance for the mentoring sessions is highly encouraged to get the most out of this programme.
Best Accelerator or Incubator Program 2020 (1337 Ventures)
How do you put running shoes to your ambitious idea? These days, most startups’ quickest resort is to seek funding and incubator support from accelerators and angel investors. There is a lot to achieve however to get your startup from “idea” to “minimal viable product” (MVP) and “market validation” stage – the main criteria for accelerators and investors looking to invest in a worthy start-up.
We saw that gap, and we seek to be the bridge between your alpha idea and its critical acceleration curve! Alpha Startups™ is an intensive bootcamp where selected teams of entrepreneurs, developers and designers get to test and validate a scalable product/startup idea together with their peers. Daily deliverables are expected, mentorship is provided, and commitment is absolutely mandatory!
Before you seek support and raise funds, put your idea to the ultimate test.
Idea > MVP + Validated Startups
All Alpha Startups that successfully complete the pre-accelerator programme will gain priority admission into funding programmes run by 1337 Ventures. As we’re a venture capital firm, apart from having an interest in investing in early stage startups, we have a wide network where we can connect you to other VCs and/or other recognised funding organisations throughout the country.
Above all, upon completing this accelerator programme you will be a validated startups with strong pitch decks consisting of a viable product proposition, refined marketing plan and practical development roadmap.
Perks & Benefits
10+ Hours of Mentoring
Participating teams will have access to business and technical mentors. Startups will have group mentoring sessions as well as one-to-one sessions to accelerate their learning.
Fundraising Support
Connect with 1337 Ventures to expand your network within the investor community, unlocking the potential for VC funding.
Digital Credits
1337 Ventures, Malaysia’s first Microsoft Champions Network partner — including cloud credits (Microsoft/AWS/Google), Airtable, Notion for Startups, training, job portal credits, and more.
Office Space
Co-working space privileges for teams in Penang through our partner, Digital Penang — and for Klang Valley-based teams via WORQ.
Corporate Access
Through the accelerator, you’ll have opportunities to connect with corporate professionals open to innovative ideas. Use these sessions to validate your solution, ask questions, and explore potential interest.
Market Access
We’ll provide opportunities to showcase your startup through our platform and network, helping you reach a wider audience along the way. Such as Leet Launchpad, Leet Angel Club events & more.
Programme Schedule
Alpha Startups™ Pre-Accelerator requires an 15-day commitment spread over 9 weeks, which includes both physical and virtual sessions.
| Date | Agenda | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 31 July 2025 | Onboarding (In-Person) | Kuala Lumpur |
| 5 August 2025 | Mentoring #2 | Virtual |
| 12 August 2025 | Mentoring #3 | Virtual |
| 19 August 2025 | Mentoring #4 | Virtual |
| 26 August 2025 | Mentoring #5 | Virtual |
| 27–29 August 2025 | Office Hours | Virtual |
| 1–5 September 2025 | Office Hours | Virtual |
| 2 September 2025 | Mentoring #6 | Virtual |
| 24 September 2025 | Demo Day Dry Run | Kuala Lumpur |
| 25 September 2025 | Demo Day (In-Person) | Kuala Lumpur |
Updated: 20 May 2025
*The final schedule is subject to change.
Who should join Alpha Startups™ Pre-Accelerator?
All startup stages are welcomed – while teams are preferred, individuals with ideas are also welcome.
Entry Requirements:
- Able to communicate and understand English
- Above 18 years old
- Have a team of 2 to 4 people, with a specific idea or problem to solve.
- A startup is a technology or innovation enabled business at an early-stage with a scalable business model and a high growth strategy.
- Startups must be based in Malaysia or serve a Malaysian market OR
- Startups must have at least ONE Malaysian co-founder regardless of the market served or geographic location
Apply for Alpha Startups™ Pre-Accelerator
Join Alpha Startups today — learn how to launch your startup, validate your ideas, and master pitching to VCs and investors. Take the first step toward your entrepreneurial journey!
Testimony
Success Stories
With a tried and tested curriculum, a powerful network of mentors, and a track record to taking startups to success. Get access to exclusive events, digital software and infrastructure, co-working spaces, and so much more. Learn what our alumni have to say about Alpha Startups.Â
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Mentoring will take place either physically or virtually, depending on the mode of the day’s programme. If it is physical, it will be done face to face, and if it is virtual, teams will need to be in a Google Meet / Zoom.
There will be a total of 9 hours for the self-paced learning, 23 hours of live webinar, and 26 hours of available office hours. The live webinars (i.e classrooms) happen two days a week, while Mentor Rooms (i.e office hours and coaching) are flexible for participants to join. Self-paced learning sessions can be done at the convenience of the participant, as our videos and interactive teaching materials are online on our Leet Academy portal.
No, however in order to qualify for the funding, you will need to ensure the key outputs required (i.e Lean Canvas, Pitch Deck, etc) must be completed in the timeframe required.
At the end of the accelerator, a physical pitching session will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. All of the participants who have been shortlisted will pitch, and it will be open to both judges and audiences.
No, there is no application fee to join this accelerator.
The AlphaStartups Pre-Accelerator accepts ideas from any industry or niche. Preference will be given to Startups in the Fintech, Healthtech, Insurtech, Agritech, DeepTech, AI, SME B2B Solutions, and Decarbonisation Solutions.
For the past 11 years, 1337 Ventures has been conducting the Alpha Startups Pre-Accelerator programme. Traditionally, this programme was held in a physical format. However, in the past 2 years during the MOC & pandemic, we have successfully conducted multiple cohorts virtually. To provide participants with more flexibility and ensure optimal results, we are now introducing a hybrid mode for this programme, which includes both physical and virtual components.
To participate in the Alpha Startups Pre-Accelerator programme, all applications undergo a rigorous screening and review process. Our aim is to provide aspiring Malaysian entrepreneurs with a platform to pursue their dreams.
Over the years, we have had the privilege of running both large and small cohorts, ranging from 10 to 25 shortlisted startups. We have also collaborated with esteemed partners such as MDEC, Accenture, Mranti (formerly MaGIC), KPMG, Digi, Found8, and others.
Click here for full Terms & Conditions for Alpha Startups Digital Accelerator (ASDA).Â
You can reach out to us at 1337 Ventures via WhatsApp +6011 5628 0817 or email us at info@1337.ventures.Â
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