[ANNOUNCEMENT] Accelerating Asia Backs 8 Startups Using Practical AI to Solve Real-World Problems in its 12th Cohort
SINGAPORE – November 14th – Accelerating Asia Ventures, the region's leading independent VC accelerator, today announced its investment in eight new startups joining its twelfth cohort. Selected from a pool of over 700 applicants - an acceptance rate of just over 1% - these companies are established businesses with significant traction, already generating an average of $37,881 in monthly revenue.
With the addition of Cohort 12, the Accelerating Asia Ventures portfolio now numbers 100 startups, collectively valued at over US$1.1 Billion and having raised over US$152 million in follow-on funding. The firm continues its strong commitment to gender-lens investing, with three new female-founded startups joining a portfolio where 45% of companies have at least one female founder. The startups in this latest cohort hail from Singapore, Indonesia, India, and Bangladesh.
"We saw a major theme of AI in the applications, but we filter for substance," said Amra Naidoo, General Partner of Accelerating Asia Ventures. "The founders in Cohort 12 exemplify this. They aren't building AI for its own sake; they are on the ground, using it as a practical tool to solve tangible, real-world problems in their emerging markets. They have the grit and proven models, and our role is to be the reliable partner that provides the capital, credibility, and community they need to get to the next level."
Meet the Startups:
Chamak (Bangladesh): B2B trade finance platform.
biniyog.io (Bangladesh): SME financing marketplace.
Fineksi (Indonesia): Document Automation for Credit Analysis.
InsureCow Ltd. (Bangladesh): Creating a new asset class for rural financing.
InLustro Learning Private Limited (India): Job Simulation Platform for Workforce Readiness.
Kustodian.life (India): Infrastructure for seamless financial exits.
Podium (Singapore): A peer discovery platform for working women.
Wellspring Global (Bangladesh): Healthier food and drinks for emerging market middle class.
"For our investors, these numbers prove the effectiveness of our system," said Craig Bristol Dixon, General Partner of Accelerating Asia Ventures. "Our fund is backed by a community of angels, mentors, and successful founders who want a smarter way to invest in the region. We provide the qualified, vetted deal flow they can't access alone and de-risk the opportunity by managing diligence and portfolio support. It’s a system for those who want to be hands-on, making venture capital investing more accessible than they might think."
Seeking Value-Add Investment Partners
Accelerating Asia Ventures is closing its second fund and is seeking value-add partners to complete the round. The fund is designed for accredited investors, including senior executives, ex-founders, and family offices, who are looking for a structured, hands-on way to invest in the next generation of startups in Asia.
Interested parties are invited to contact Amra Naidoo at amra@acceleratingasia.com or Craig Bristol Dixon at craig@acceleratingasia.com to learn more.
About Accelerating Asia Ventures
As the region's leading independent VC accelerator, Accelerating Asia Ventures is the most trusted partner for undiscovered founders and value-add investors in South and Southeast Asia. We are a team of doers, focused on providing the capital, credibility, and community that startups need to grow and scale.
