BootstrapAccelerator Open Its Doors And Announces Its July 2013 Class Of Entrepreneurs

Online, July 4, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, BootstrapAccelerator Asia, the joint-venture between Silicon Valley-based BootstrapLabs, and Malaysia-based MAD Incubator is opening its doors officially to the public July 3rd, 2013. It is the first Southeast Asia-focused Tech Startup Accelerator with a Silicon Valley Fast TrackTM program for its most promising candidates.

First announced back in May of this year, BootstrapAccelerator focuses on early-stage capital efficient software startups that leverage the speed of Internet distribution and the scalability of cloud infrastructure, regardless of their vertical or segment. Its mission is to nurture and support entrepreneurs willing to build innovative, and sometime disruptive, technology startups focused on the South East Asian market and provide a bridge to Silicon Valley for the ones with global potential.

Unlike most accelerator program, BootstrapAccelerator is a 12 month program that enrolls startups each month. It also runs an ideation program where selected wannabe founders can refine, validate and plan for the launch of their startups.

"Selected startups will not work toward an artificial demo day set 3 months down the line but focus on building a minimum delightful product ("MDP") to accelerate customer adoption, widen distribution and generate revenues using lean methodologies and BootstrapAccelerator's extensive network of professionals", said Andrew Wong, the CEO of MAD Incubator and Co-Founder of BootstrapAccelerator.

Interestingly enough, the number of applicant idea and startups targeting web-based distribution has been higher than those targeting mobile, while the numbers focused on B2C was higher among the ideation candidates vs. B2B for actual startups.

"This is not really surprising in a region where smartphone penetration still trails feature phones and computers but we expect this trend to rapidly shift toward Mobile. Similarly, young entrepreneurs tend to focus on B2C projects as they require less knowledge of the corporate world, something they might lack exposure too" said Benjamin Levy, Partner at BootstrapLabs and Co-Founder of BootstrapAccelerator.

He went on to say that they saw a number of companies from Europe applying to join the accelerator program and focus directly on the South East Asian market (as opposed to the US where competitors might already exist). Maybe we are starting to witness an "ASEAN FIRST" trend.

Ng Wan Peng, Chief Operating Officer of Multimedia Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (MDeC) said, "Accelerator programmes such as BootstrapAccelerator Asia will enable local Malaysian entrepreneurs to foresee the vast opportunities that are abound in spurring the growth of the country's digital content economy. MDeC, as driver of Digital Malaysia, the national digital economy initiative and the national ICT initiative via MSC Malaysia is thus highly supportive of programmes and initiatives which are aimed at inspiring Malaysians to become digital entrepreneurs".

Having the flexibility to enroll startups each month, BootstrapAccelerator has thus far invited 3 startups to join its July 2013 Class, with 2 more slated for its August 2013 Class:

MyMobileUniversity, a one touch mobile e-learning platform delivering educational content to millions of knowledge hungry minds across South East Asia and beyond. Contacts: [email protected]

iPointi, a mobile social engagement technology platform leveraging augmented reality and location-based services to deliver memorable marketing campaign for brands, governments and businesses. iPointi was recently named the winner of the Digi Challenge for Change 2013. Contacts: [email protected]

Shoppertise, an e-commerce and distribution technology platform turning any 3rd party website into your digital storefront. Contacts: [email protected]

Additionally, BootstrapAccelerator has invited 6 entrepreneurs to join its Ideation program for one month. Areas of interest include children safety, social trading, business recommendation, student lodging, healthy lifestyle and B2E expats services.

###

About BootstrapAccelerator Asia: BootstrapAccelerator focuses on early-stage capital efficient software startups that leverage the speed of internet distribution and the scalability of cloud infrastructure, regardless of their vertical or segment. BootstrapAccelerator brings together a Glocal (Global+Local) network of corporates, mentors and investors, as well as local government agencies, which bring critical support in everything, from ideation to executing game changing startups.

BootstrapAccelerator is a 12-month program, divided into three stages: Ideation, Incubation and Acceleration. As every startup is different, BootstrapAccelerator will not run cohorts, but will evaluate applicants on a monthly basis and enroll people / startups at the relevant stage. BootstrapLabs is able to offer the most promising startups from BootstrapAccelerator a global fast track opportunity to becoming a global company, through the Silicon Valley ecosystem.
Website: http://bootstrapaccelerator.com

About BootstrapLabs: BootstrapLabs is a Silicon Valley-based Seed+ Venture Capital Fund that invests in foreign startups to relocate to Silicon Valley, and build global companies. They employ an entrepreneurial and very hands-on approach to execution and help startups tap into the opportunities Silicon Valley presents.

Since 2009, BootstrapLabs has helped foreign startups such as Prezi, Witsbits, AudioDraft and Zerply connect and relocate to Silicon Valley, while maintaining their roots.

Today these startups are valued at $150M+, employ more than 150 people, and have received over $25M in funding.

About MAD Incubator
MAD (Make a Difference) Incubator is the largest private incubator and most active entrepreneur development platform in Malaysia, having helped more than 300 startups since its inception in 2009. MAD was founded by Andrew Wong on the premise that every technopreneur deserves to have a chance to succeed and experience technopreneurship to the fullest.

MAD serves only the best programs and support services, and is designed to incorporate diverse technopreneurship experiences, ensuring that startup technopreneurs are able to gain better knowledge to succeed in the technopreneurial world.

The 'MAD Mission' is to develop 1,000 startups achieving US$1M turnover by 2015. To achieve this, MAD develops the MAD Entrepreneur Ecosystem which consists of entrepreneur communities, collaborative partnerships, industry/commercialization partners, funding partnerships, government relations, entrepreneur education, coaching, mentoring and platform providers.

Media Contacts:
Ben Levy, BootstrapLabs, Silicon Valley
Email: [email protected] / Mobile: +1 415 742 1517

Alice Foong, MAD Incubator Sdn Bhd (868303-D), Malaysia
Email: [email protected] / Tel: 03-8311 9605 / Mobile: 012-678 3323

# # #