ASIA-PACIFIC – Start-ups in Asia Pacific will now get more help entering new markets across the region, with the launch of Innov8 Sparks.
A first of its kind alliance in the region by the SingTel Group and its regional mobile associates, Innov8 Sparks will provide assistance to eligible start-ups to expand outside their respective home markets, into Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
The founding members of Innov8 Sparks are SingTel Innov8, AIS The Startup, Kickstart Ventures by Globe, Optus-Innov8 Seed, and Telkomsel “Teman-Dev”.
Mr Edgar Hardless, CEO, SingTel Innov8, said “We are excited about the launch of Innov8 Sparks, which will help start-ups supported by our programmes to expand beyond their home markets into the SingTel Group footprint.”
Mr Dustin Cheng, CEO of ZAP, added “Entering new markets is especially hard for a start-up. ZAP has benefited from new connections to both investors and partners provided by Kickstart Ventures and other members of Innov8 Sparks. Many other start-ups will now be able to experience these benefits too.” ZAP is a rewards platform in the Philippines that was successfully launched last year with the support of Globe’s Kickstart Ventures.
Start-ups in the Innov8 Sparks programme will have access to working space, introductions to local partners and start-up communities, as well as local market information and resources. Expanding beyond local shores is never easy for start-ups in the region, but the head start provided by Innov8 Sparks will help increase their chances of success.
More information on Innov8 Sparks can be found at http://innov8.singtel.com/innov8 sparks.html.
