Global Accelerator Network to hold first-ever meetup in APAC

• Free of charge and by invitation only; follows similar events in Europe and South America
• APAC accelerators get chance to discuss ways to cooperate, collaborate and maximise their impact

THE Global Accelerator Network (GAN) said it would bring together accelerators and their key partners across Asia Pacific (APAC) at an event to be hosted by JFDI.Asia in Singapore on July 26.
 
Attendance will be free of charge and by invitation only, GAN and JFDI.Asia said in a joint statement.
 
GAN is an invitation-only group of 53 top accelerators from around the world, whose members all follow a short-term, seed stage, mentorship-driven accelerator programme. It claims to have created 2,461 high-value jobs and raised over US$420 million to date, with average funding raised per startup at US$463,000.
 
The APAC Accelerator Meetup will offer the region’s accelerators their first opportunity to open an international dialogue about ways to cooperate, collaborate and maximise their impact. The aim is to connect, network and learn from one another at a time when accelerators are gaining an increasingly important role worldwide, the two organisations said.
 
“Asia Pacific is one of the world’s most dynamic startup ecosystems, where the next billion people are coming online,” said GAN executive director Patrick Riley (pic above).
 
“We see accelerators playing a vital role in the region that’s not just about boosting individual careers and companies [but also about] building the whole entrepreneurial ecosystem, and this meetup aims to share lessons learned to support people on the front line in Asia Pacific,” he added.
 
The APAC meetup follows similar successful events organised by the GAN in Europe and South America, the accelerator network said.
 
Delegates will have the opportunity to network informally when they arrive, then GAN staff will lead a discussion on practical aspects of promoting accelerator programmes and selecting teams.
 
Successful entrepreneur Hian Goh (pic) will share his experience of building and exiting from The Asian Food Channel, becoming an investor and how he feels accelerators are essential to the startup ecosystem.
 
Other discussion include:

• The experience of briefing and using mentors effectively across the many cultures of Asia;

• Exploring business models to make accelerators financially sustainable; and

• The relationship between accelerators, startups and investors.

The day will end with an informal networking session over dinner and a ‘reverse pitch’ where local investors pitch to founders and accelerators.
 
“It’s an honour to host this event and we hope that in future it will grow into something regular that others will want to organise around the region,” said JFDI.Asia chief executive officer Hugh Mason.
 
“At JFDI.Asia, we have learned so much by talking openly with peers running accelerators around the world. Anyone’s success is everyone’s success right now; it all helps to boost confidence,” he added.
 
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