Chinaccelerator actually extends their focus to include other Asian startups planning to go international.
There seems to be two commonly taken approaches startups take for expansions in Southeast Asia, it’s either jumping headfirst into a region-wide launch or leapfrogging from market to market. We have yet to witness exemplary Asian startups that can sustain their growth trajectory. Being an Asian startup also limits their opportunities to attract investors. However, with the programme offered by Chinaccelerator, Asian’s startups no longer need to worry about their disadvantage in the market. With a name like the Chinaccelerator, you may think that their focus is solely on the Chinese market.
However, Chinaccelerator actually extends their focus to include other Asian startups planning to go international. Their 3-month programme it’s designed to allow startups to address underlying issues such as customer acquisition and their monetization capabilities. Shanghai was choosen as their base location since it is home for major companies to base their APAC headquarters. Chinaccelerator’s strategy is mainly market-specific where they focus resources on a single key market first and dominating it, before moving on to other bigger markets. This is an area which many startups usually fail, as most are too ambitious and go straight at international launches.
How It Works
As a residential programme, the network of 240 mentors are available to help and guide the co-founders. At the end of the acceleration programme, start-up founders become members of the Chinaccelerator alumni network where they can get help for more long-term needs, such as fundraising and forming strategic partnerships. Furthermore, its intensive yet carefully curated programmes that allows startups to elevate their business models.
A Game Changer For Startups
According to the Director of Chinaccelerator, companies from Southeast Asia are constantly hungry to enter the Chinese market.
For instance, Fashory from Singapore, has found its success in China. Fashory is an app that connects independent fashion designers with consumers who wish to deviate from mainstream brands. In about just 9 weeks from its launch in China, It’s weekly sales went from 0 to US$36,000.
One admirable feature about Chinaccelerator is its honesty. They do not just accept startups under their programme. The startups have to undergo intensive evaluation by the in-house mentors to determine if they would be suitable for the Chinese Market and could garner enough Venture Capitalist traction. Besides, being in the programme gives you access to like-minded people with similar goals, which ultimately sets the stage for a driven and successful startup.
Check out their programme here.
