Japanese e-commerce firm to launch programme for tech start-ups in Singapore
Three-month programme will tap in US-based Techstars, which has more than 1,000 firms in its accelerator portfolio
Japanese internet company Rakuten on Wednesday said it will launch a three-month accelerator programme in Singapore .
The programme, which begins in July, will tap in U.S.-based company Techstars, a firm with more than 1,000 firms with a combined market cap of US$9.6 billion in its accelerator portfolio.
A total of 10 start-ups will be selected from around the world for Rakuten’s program, which will focus on messaging technology.
The shortlisted companies will receive an initial investment of US$120,000 each, coming jointly from Rakuten and Techstars. They will also receive guidance from top executives at Rakuten and access Techstars’ wide network of founders, alumni and mentors.
“It’s a very good initiative to empower the entrepreneurs and (bring) innovation to society,” Hiroshi Takasawa, CEO at Rakuten Asia’s regional head office and head of the company’s investment arm, told CNBC.
The executive said Rakuten could further invest into any of the 10 start-ups if they show promise.
Rakuten is still deciding on selection criteria for the start-ups.
Applications for the accelerator programme is set to open on January 8, 2018.
