Telstra names its muru-D Singapore ‘class of 2015’

• Nine startups chosen after applications from 15 countries
• Each startup gets US$28,400, plus networking opportunities, coaching, mentorship, etc.

TELSTRA-backed startup accelerator muru-D announced its inaugural class in Singapore, which attracted applications from 15 countries, including Chile and Russia.
 
Participants in ‘class #1,’ as Telstra calls it, come from diverse industries, with businesses in healthcare, consumer applications, financial services, law, mobile payments and advertising services represented, with founders from Russia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.
 
“muru-D is a strategic commitment for Telstra to expand its global footprint and nurture the rapidly expanding South-East Asian startup community,” said Telstra Software Group president and muru-D cofounder Charlotte Yarkoni.
 
“Each company that comes into muru-D is an exciting, potential disruptor in a rapidly changing marketplace, and that is of critical importance to Telstra,” she added.
 
The muru-D accelerator provides each startup with S$40,000 (US$28,400) in seed capital, Telstra said in a statement.
 
In addition to the funding, muru-D provides an opportunity for the founders to access six months of business support, a collaborative workspace in Singapore’s central business district, and introductions to world-class mentors, coaches and investors.
 
“Building on the successful launch of muru-D in Australia in 2013, we had very high hopes for our inaugural push into South-East Asia from here in Singapore – and we were not disappointed,” said muru-D cofounder Annie Parker (pic).
 
“We were blown away by some of the ideas coming through the muru-D doors, which showcased the very best technology innovation and creativity from across the region,” she added.
 
The nine startups selected for muru-D Singapore class #1 are:

• AdHero: Crowdsources copywriters and designers for SMB (small and medium business) owners to create social media ad campaigns that can be tested across social and mobile channels.

• Apvera: Provides security intelligence software for employers to better understand, in real time, employee behaviour based on the data of network traffic and activities, and prevent insider threats.

• Cardable: Helps Asian cardholders better utilise all their credit card privileges with recommendations and analytics.

• GCall: An e-commerce platform that removes language barriers to enable buyers and sellers to trade regardless of the country they live in.

• Investorz: An online crowdfunding platform for people to learn how to invest, meet new experts, and execute investments in a range of opportunities.

• Maxine: A web service that helps law firms and company secretaries automatically generate complex contracts and compliance documents, saving time and money.

• Sendhelper (pic): A pair of mobile apps that matches households with professional and reliable cleaners, removing the middleman.

• Stash: Connects healthcare professionals with patients with online appointment scheduling and sharing up-to-date records via a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) platform.

• Vendi: Provides vending operators with a single all-in-one solution for mobile payments, monitoring and marketing via the cloud and allows users to purchase from an app.

Related Stories:
 
Telstra’s muru-D accelerator makes Singapore debut
 
‘Toolbox’ on Singapore startup ecosystem shows it’s soaring
 
Microsoft expands BizSpark programmes for startups in Singapore
 
 
For more technology news and the latest updates, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Like us on Facebook.