The Southeast Asia region is rapidly emerging as a hub for innovative startups, especially in the field of GenAI. With the exponential growth of AI technologies, numerous accelerator programs have been launched to support startups in this space, providing them with the necessary resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to thrive. In this blog post, we highlight some of the top GenAI-focused accelerator programs available for startups in the ASEAN region, detailing their offerings and benefits.

Summary of the highlighted programs:

Program	Status
AWS x Accelerator Asia ASEAN GenAI Accelerator	Application Closed
AWS GenAI Spotlight APJ	Application Open
CleverTap for Startups Leap Program	Application Open
Google AI Accelerator Program (Vietnam)	Application Open
Generative AI Accelerate Programme (NUS Enterprise)	Application Closed
Google AI Accelerator Program (Singapore)	Application Closed
Microsoft AI Founders Club (Indonesia)	Application Closed
Intel® Liftoff for Startups	Application Open
The Ignition AI Accelerator	Application Open

More details of each program can be found below: 

AWS x Accelerator Asia ASEAN GenAI Accelerator

🌟 Brief Summary:

The ASEAN GenAI Reactor 2023, co-organized by AWS and Accelerating Asia, is a 5-week accelerator program aimed at early-stage Generative AI startups in ASEAN. It provides support for innovation and scaling through technical guidance and business mentorship.

📋 Requirements/Criteria

• Eligibility: Seed and pre-seed Generative AI startups with a developed MVP or product.
• Location: ASEAN-based or with key team members in ASEAN.
• Application Period: Specific dates vary annually.

🔑 Key Benefits

• AWS Credits: Up to $200,000 in AWS Activate credits.
• Mentorship: Access to business and technical mentors.
• Technical Deep Dives: Workshops and sessions with AWS engineers.
• Demo Day: Opportunity to pitch to investors and industry leaders.
• Networking: Events and roundtables with peers and AI leaders.

 

AWS GenAI Spotlight APJ

🌟 Brief Summary:

The AWS Generative AI Spotlight is a 4-week accelerator program for pre-seed and seed-stage AI startups in Asia-Pacific and Japan. It focuses on accelerating startups’ use of AWS Gen AI tools and services, providing technical support, and connecting them with industry leaders.

📋 Requirements/Criteria

• Eligibility: Pre-seed and seed-stage startups with an MVP or early prototype.
• Location: Asia-Pacific and Japan.
• Application Period: June 13 – July 7, 2024.
• Other Criteria: Startups should be AI-first and leveraging cloud technologies.

🔑 Key Benefits

• Technical Deep Dives: Sessions with AI/ML industry leaders and AWS engineers.
• Business Booster: Guidance from executive, go-to-market, and technical advisors.
• Community: Access to a virtual community and exclusive events.
• Cloud Credits: Support for development across multiple cloud platforms.
• Funding Guidance: Help with preparing for funding rounds and pitching to investors.

CleverTap Startup Program

🌟 Brief Summary:

The CleverTap Startup Program, known as Leap, offers mobile and web analytics solutions to help startups understand and engage their users more effectively. This program provides startups with access to CleverTap’s tools and resources.

📋 Requirements/Criteria:

• Eligibility: Early-stage startups focusing on user engagement and analytics.
• Location: Global, with a focus on high-growth potential startups.

🔑 Key Benefits:

• Credits: Free access to CleverTap’s analytics and engagement platform.
• Mentorship: Guidance from CleverTap’s team of experts.
• Resources: Training sessions and webinars on best practices in user engagement.
• Community: Connection with other startups and access to exclusive CleverTap events.

Generative AI Accelerate Programme (NUS Enterprise)

🌟 Brief Summary:

The Generative AI Accelerate Programme, organized by NUS Enterprise’s BLOCK71 and powered by Microsoft, is an eight-week accelerator for ASEAN-based pre-seed to pre-A startups working with generative AI models. It offers personalized support for business growth and technological advancements.

📋 Requirements/Criteria

• Eligibility: Pre-seed to pre-A Generative AI startups.
• Location: ASEAN region.
• Application Period: January 15 – February 21, 2024.

🔑 Key Benefits

• Support: Personalized business and technical mentorship.
• Resources: Access to NUS and Microsoft expertise.
• Networking: Integration into the Southeast Asia startup ecosystem.
• Ecosystem Support: From March 26 to July 31, 2024.

 

Google AI Accelerator Program (Singapore)

🌟 Brief Summary:

The Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First Singapore is a 10-week, equity-free accelerator program for AI-first startups. It aims to support early-stage startups in leveraging AI to build innovative products and scale their businesses.

Requirements/Criteria

• Eligibility: AI-first startups at seed to Series A stages.
• Location: Based in Singapore or with significant operations in Singapore.
• Application Process: Evaluation based on the startup’s AI capabilities and market potential.

🔑 Key Benefits

• Mentorship: Access to Google Cloud and Google DeepMind experts.
• Workshops: Deep dives into product design, business growth, and leadership development.
• Technical Support: Dedicated AI technical expertise and Google Cloud credits.
• Networking: Connection with a global network of investors and industry leaders.

Google for Startups Accelerator: Southeast Asia

🌟 Brief Summary:

The Google for Startups Accelerator: Southeast Asia is a three-month program designed to support seed to Series A startups in Vietnam This equity-free accelerator provides access to Google’s AI and cloud resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

📋 Requirements/Criteria:

• Eligibility: AI-first startups at seed to Series A stages.
• Location: Based in Southeast Asia or with significant operations in the region.

🔑 Key Benefits:

• Mentorship: Access to Google Cloud and Google DeepMind experts.
• Workshops: Deep dives into product design, business growth, and leadership development.
• Technical Support: Dedicated AI technical expertise and Google Cloud credits.
• Networking: Connection with a global network of investors and industry leaders.

Microsoft AI Founders Club (Indonesia)

🌟 Brief Summary:

The Microsoft AI Founders Club in Indonesia is an exclusive community aimed at B2B startup founders. It provides personal coaching, access to new AI solutions, and support for geographical expansion and thought leadership.

📋 Requirements/Criteria

• Eligibility: B2B AI startups.
• Location: Indonesia.
• Focus: Startups leveraging AI to innovate and grow.

Key Benefits

• Personal Coaching: Sessions with Microsoft Executive Advisors.
• Exclusive Access: Preview new Microsoft AI solutions.
• Technical Support: Engagement with Microsoft engineers.
• Expansion Guidance: Help with geographical growth.
• Thought Leadership: Support for building a presence on LinkedIn.

Intel® Liftoff for Startups

🌟 Brief Summary: 

The Intel® Liftoff for Startups program provides a global platform to help startups leverage Intel’s technology and expertise to accelerate their growth. This program supports a wide range of tech startups, including those working in GenAI, by providing access to Intel’s hardware, software, and ecosystem partners.

📋 Requirements/Criteria:

• Eligibility: Tech startups at various stages, from early to growth.
• Location: Global, with opportunities for ASEAN startups. 

🔑 Key Benefits:

• Technology Access: Use of Intel’s hardware and software solutions.
• Mentorship: Guidance from Intel’s technical experts and industry leaders.
• Resources: Access to Intel’s development tools, such as the Intel® oneAPI toolkit.
• Ecosystem Integration: Opportunities to connect with Intel’s network of partners and customers.
• Market Exposure: Platforms to showcase innovations and solutions to a global audience.
• Funding Support: Potential for financial backing and investment from Intel’s venture arm.

The Ignition AI Accelerator

🌟 Brief Summary:

The Ignition AI Accelerator is a collaborative effort between NVIDIA, Tribe, and Digital Industry Singapore (DISG). It aims to support high-potential early-stage AI startups by providing comprehensive support, including deep AI development guidance, business mentorship, and access to a global network of investors and corporate partners. The program is designed to help startups create market-ready AI products and services and accelerate their access to global markets.

📋 Requirements/Criteria

• Eligibility: Startups must demonstrate a clear product vision and be developing core AI capabilities unique to their target market.
• Age of Startup: Must be within ten years of incorporation.
• Location: Primarily focused on Singaporean startups.
• Application Process: Includes due diligence and interviews before acceptance into the program.

🔑 Key Benefits

• Training Workshops: Comprehensive workshops covering the full AI stack, from GPU to application layer development frameworks, co-developed by NVIDIA and Tribe.
• Cloud Credits: Access to cloud credits for development across multiple cloud platforms and on-premise infrastructure.
• Mentorship: In-depth coaching from lead consultants, subject matter experts, and experienced founders.
• Funding Support: Access to Enterprise Singapore’s Startup SG Tech grant, providing up to S$250,000 for proof-of-concept projects and up to S$500,000 for proof-of-value projects.
• Investor Connections: Opportunities to pitch to potential investors, including VCs and corporate partners.
• Global Market Access: Support through the IMDA accreditation process to bid for government and large enterprise contracts.
• Post-Program Support: Continuous support for three months after the program ends

These programs are ongoing, continuously offering invaluable support to the burgeoning GenAI ecosystem. By participating in these programs, startups can accelerate their growth, innovate their solutions, and make a significant impact in the AI industry. We will continuously update this blog with new programs as they become available, ensuring that you have the latest information on the best opportunities for GenAI startups in the ASEAN region. Stay tuned for more updates!