The startup ecosystem in Southeast Asia is thriving. Almost a decade ago, there were only three unicorns in the region. Fast-forward to today, and the region has minted 31 unicorns in just two years [2021–2022].
1337 Ventures is bringing back its award-winning Alpha Startups™ pre-accelerator program to help nurture the region’s diverse and growing number of startup founders.
Specifically tailored to those who just have an idea, are building an MVP, or already have a startup with early revenues, the pre-accelerator is designed to refine, validate, and quickly get an idea off the ground.
“We’re excited to meet fresh and dynamic startup founders from all walks of life in our region. Our Pre-Accelerator Programme is all about spotting the hidden gems among early-stage startups and helping them transform into the next big thing. We’re all in to mentor, guide and arm these startups with the tools they need to make their mark and take charge of the innovation scene in our region. It’s all about unleashing their true potential!” exclaimed Bikesh Lakhmichand, CEO and Founding Partner of 1337 Ventures.
Since 2014, the highly structured programme has fast-tracked more than 1,800 startups by giving them direction on their next steps and a network to support their growth. Notable alumni include EatCakeToday, HomeTaste, ParkEasy, Senang Insurance, Vircle, Cashku, Blueduck and Pod.
During the four-week programme, selected startups will be paired with a dedicated mentor and have access to key resources from day one. They will dive deep into masterclasses to work on idea validation, design thinking, market development, and building a minimum viable product (MVP), among other topics.
The final phase of Alpha Startups™ will focus on building their capability to pitch their idea on a demo day.
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, 1337 Ventures plans to run the programme in hybrid settings. The top two startups will receive seed funding of up to RM 50,000 and digital credits and perks worth up to RM 20,000.
Supported by the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI), the latest cohort is entirely free of charge and is vertically agnostic. This means that anyone from any industry or region can participate. Any aspiring entrepreneur or startup looking to scale is invited to apply here: www.1337.ventures/alpha-startups-pre-accelerator. The deadline is March 23rd, 2023.
