Frequently Asked Questions
Participation
At least one representative from the team needs to be present for each session in the programme, it does not need to be the same person each week and some activities will require the Founder/CEO alone to be present.
We welcome additional team members to join us and believe our programme is a good time to involve the entire team. Ultimately, we leave this up to you.
Application Phase
Click on the Apply Now button or use the form on the homepage.
You can then submit your proposal!
You will receive a confirmation email upon registration. To complete your application, follow the steps in the confirmation email.
Please send an email to [email protected] if you have any queries.
Your Company must submit a 13-slide PDF explaining:
- Executive summary – 1 slide
- Problem Statement – 1 slides
- Service and business Model (e.g. What's your service and business model) and how money works (e.g. pricing structure)? – 1 slide
- Sales & Growth Transactions - 2 slides
- Service revenue of (up to) last 3 years and revenue forecast for 2021
- Size of client/user base, reference client/project
- Market Potential - 1 slide
- Competitive Landscape - 1 slide
- Solution outline – 3 slides
- High-level solution architecture
- Solution USP
- Solution development roadmap & key challenge(s)
- Strategy/Business Growth Roadmap – 1 slide
- Funding Received - 1 slide
- Team – 1 slide
Your Company must also upload a short video presentation about your product or service (flexible format)
- Relevance
- Market Potential
- Service Model
- Business Traction
- Technology USP, Scalability and Limitations
- Financial Viability
- Team Strength
Eligibility
While we don't filter applications just because they have a single founder, it does make things more difficult for the selection process. The question we ask is, and for your sake as well: do you have all the skills your company needs to succeed?
We look for great, balanced teams who have a full range of skills. We strongly advise you to seek co-founders who balance your skillset. For example, if you're a strong developer, you might consider adding someone with business and/or marketing experience. If you're a great business evangelist with no developer, it's very unlikely we'll accept you into the program, so go find a rock star developer to join you! We hope you find your team and tribe, as the startup journey can be quite the challenge.
We are vertical agnostic. We look for tech startup founders who can execute, and in big markets. The sectors that we focus on include:
- Tech Startups
- STEM
- Social Enterprises
- Digital Business
- Digital Creatives
- Artists and Artisans
As a selected startup, the programme provides the seed funding to get you going, but you may well need more funding to really make it. Near the end of programme, a Demo Day will be organised where angel investors and venture capitalists will check out your technology and listen to your pitch. The programme is designed with coaches to prep you so you're as effective as possible, and provide support to help you follow up on funding opportunities.
If you just have an idea, you're too early for the Accelerator. A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is worth a thousand powerpoint slides -- build one!
Other benefits of participating in the programme include:
- Business matching opportunities with Industry partners
- Last mile connections to scale business to a higher stage
- Ecosystem development and connectivity
- Consultation and potential facilitation by regulators
- Mentorship by Strong Entrepreneurs & Experts
- Corporate Partner Introductions
- Entrepreneur Networking & Development Programmes
- Access to Angel Investors
- Venture Capital Matching
The "Goldilocks Zone" for the Accelerator is that you are pre Series A, and:
- A growing revenue
- A mature product or service
- Deep tech startups: an MVP and a strong technical team
Only when your startup's product is mature, and you have a core team; then can you focus on growing your customer base and land world-class investors.
The programme is fully funded by the Securities Commissions hence it is free to attend for selected startups.
- The following must be met for us to proceed to consider your startup for shortlisting:
- Company based in Malaysia
- Tech Startup with an innovative and scalable business model
- Must have a working prototype (or "Minimum Viable Product") product/service, preferably with active users.
- Have the in-house capability to make the necessary adjustments to your product/service during or after the programme
- Able to commit to a 2-month flexible programme with attendance to sessions each week
We accept all types of startups, working in all verticals, using any type of business model. Do keep in mind, however, that our focus is on tech startups rather than small businesses.
- New ICM Offerings
We seek new tech-based fintech ideas and solutions for ICM that deliver the value of Islamic finance. - Enhance ICM products & services
Fintech ideas and solutions to democratize the market with innovative products or services that enhance accessibility and inclusivity in ICM. - Digital adoption
Fintech solutions that promote and enhance digital adoption among ICM industry participants.
The mentoring and workshops sessions provided in this programme is only eligible to the TOP 6 selected for the programme
Yes. We are virtual-first. We’ll reintegrate the best features of our in-person format for specific events in the programme and don’t worry, we’ll let you know beforehand when holding physical sessions.
