Calling all startups: muru-D Singapore Class #2 Open for applications
TELSTRA’S START UP ACCELERATOR, MURU-D SINGAPORE IS CALLING FOR APPLICATIONS FOR CLASS #2.
It has been a little over a year since muru-D, Telstra’s startup accelerator, expanded to Singapore to gain a foothold in the fast growing digital marketplace in Southeast Asia. Our first class of 9 successful startups graduated in April this year and we are now calling ambitious startups across Southeast Asia to journey with us in the next round. So “Why Singapore?” and “Why muru-D?”.
WHY SINGAPORE?
Singapore serves as a great central launching point for startups looking to expand into Southeast Asia. Whilst Singapore is a relatively small island state, it is surrounded by a series of very large, fast growing markets. Take its central position in the region and add to it a strong and trusted legal system as well as business friendly policies, Singapore has the recipe for an unparalleled position from which startups can grow to become a regional superpower. As these markets mature, the opportunities will be boundless for highly motivated startup founders with a strong vision and a hunger to succeed.
WHY MURU-D?
Our mandate is to help teams go global from day one. During our rigorous six month program we offer successful teams seed capital, access to thought leaders and a highly skilled muru-D team who have hands on experience in the full breadth of the startup lifecycle (founders, fast growth, fundraising and exits). In addition, our strategic partnerships with accelerators such as 500 Startups, ChinaAccelerator and The Junction (Tel Aviv) provide a helpful ‘soft landing’ for our alumni seeking to expand into the US, China and Israel.
The muru-D program is tailored to each startup, meaning they all have a unique experience. For example Apvera from our first class is an enterprise cyber security startup focusing upon the insider threat management, which accounts for more than 60 percent of all cyber-attacks. Given the nature of their solution, we connected Apvera with functional teams within Telstra who could guide them on product design and testing (Chief Risk Office, IT Security and Global Enterprise Security practice) and world-leading industry analysts such as Gartner and IDC as well as possible channel development partners like Accenture and PwC.
Our trip to the Silicon Valley was definitely another highlight of the six-month program. It served not just as a valuable opportunity for Apvera and other startups to meet serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, potential customers and channel partners, but also provided a real scenario which challenged them to think on a global scale.
SO WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Applications for muru-D Singapore Class #2 are open now and close on 11 July. Last year, we received 350 applications and we chose just over 20 of them to join a two-day boot camp. Eventually, nine were chosen for the inaugural Class. If you have ambitions to build a digital business in Southeast Asia, then we think you should apply.
We are in the midst our roadshow tour around Southeast Asia to promote muru-D Singapore Class #2 and the experience has been rewarding and so inspiring – meeting partners, industry experts, and most importantly ambitious startup founders across Southeast Asia with creative ideas and clear goals.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
- A pitch that can clearly describe the market problem, target customer, and your product idea in detail
- An observable high degree of motivation from the founding team
- Some evidence of demand validation (a minimum viable product in the hands of customers)
Having gone through the entrepreneurial journey myself, I understand that early stage startups need support and guidance as they grow from a product into a business.
I look forward to seeing your applications and hopefully seeing you in Singapore!
Read more in our Startup Series, this post orginally appeared on Telstra Exchange.
THE AUTHOR
muru-D, Head of Strategic Partnerships & Alliances
Jamie is muru-D’s Head of Strategic Partnerships & Alliances. He is an experienced strategist within the telecoms, media and technology sector, with strong transaction experience. Jamie has held a number of executive roles at Telstra since 2008, as Director of Strategy for Telstra Media Group (FOXTEL, Sensis and Digital Media) and General Manager, Corporate Strategy. His roles at Telstra saw him advising the Telstra CEO and Board multiple market entry / exit strategies including the $2.5Bn acquisition AUSTAR COMMUNICATIONS and Telstra’s recent partial divestment of Sensis. Prior to joining Telstra, Jamie worked as a management consultant, serving clients including ANZ Bank, BNP Paribas, Downer EDI, General Motors Holden, and Telecom New Zealand. He is also co-founder of Pisces Group, an Australia-based technology business serving the retail mortgage industry