Supporting startups

• Global VC firm 500 Startups has launched applications for batch 3 of accelerator programs in Singapore and San Francisco.

• Through these accelerators, early-stage Singapore-based startups will have the opportunity to learn about the US market, while growth-stage startups worldwide will get insight into Southeast Asia. Applications are open until February 26, 2021.
• The two programs aim to support startups in developing business expansion and growth strategies. Participants will get access to mentors from 500 Startups who possess business experience in Southeast Asia and the US.
• The programs will also provide networking opportunities with 500’s startup community, corporate partners, and industry stakeholders.

No barrier in language

• 500-backed microblogging app Koo has raised US$4.1 million in its series A funding round.
• Launched in March 2020 by Q&A platform Vokal, the startup aims to cater to vernacular speakers in India.

• According to the startup, the funds will be used to ramp up engineering and marketing teams’ capabilities to solve problems unique to the Indian market and increase awareness about the app.
• Aprameya Radhakrishna, the CEO of Koo, said that existing microblogging platforms have not grown beyond the English-speaking population, which is the gap Koo is looking to close.

Learning at your fingertips

• 500-backed digital health startup mClinica hosted live educational webinars for a leading pharmaceutical company in Vietnam. The course was targeted at pharmacy professionals in both rural and urban areas.
• Through its app SwipeRx, 500 pharmacists attended three webinars over one weekend, with interactive Q&A sessions with the speakers.

• Complemented with a pre- and post-test, successful pharmacists obtained 12 credit points/periods accredited by the Ho Chi Minh City Pharmaceutical Association (HCPA), which is officially certified by the Vietnamese government.

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500 Startups is a venture capital firm on a mission to discover and back the world’s most talented entrepreneurs, help them create successful companies at scale, and build thriving global ecosystems. In Southeast Asia, 500 Startups invests through the pioneering 500 Southeast Asia family of funds. The 500 Southeast Asia funds have backed over 240 companies across multiple sectors from internet to consumer to deep technology. It continues to connect founders with capital, expertise and powerful regional and global networks to help them succeed.

This post is intended solely for general informational or educational purposes only. 500 Startups Management Company, L.L.C. and its affiliates (collectively “500 Startups”) makes no representation as to the accuracy or information in this post and while reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that the information herein is accurate and up-to-date, no liability can be accepted for any error or omissions. All third party links in this post have not been independently verified by 500 Startups and the inclusion of such links should not be interpreted as an endorsement or confirmation of the content within. Information about portfolio companies’ markets, competitors, performance, and fundraising has been provided by those companies’ founders and has not been independently verified. Under no circumstances should any content in this post be construed as investment, legal, tax or accounting advice by 500 Startups, or an offer to provide any investment advisory service with regard to securities by 500 Startups. No content or information in this post should be construed as an offer to sell or solicitation of interest to purchase any securities advised by 500 Startups. Prospective investors considering an investment into any 500 Startups fund should not consider or construe this content as fund marketing material. The views expressed herein are as at the date of this post and are subject to change without notice. One or more 500 Startups fund may have a financial interest in one or more of the companies discussed.