Inside Cohort 11 with Kiren Tanna: Insights from Accelerating Asia’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence
🎥 Watch the full interview here
At Accelerating Asia, we believe that the right guidance at the right time can dramatically change a startup’s trajectory. That’s why we bring in world-class mentors, operators, and investors to support every cohort we run.
For Cohort 11, we sat down with Kiren Tanna, our Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR), to dive into what it really takes to build a high-growth company in Southeast Asia today.
Meet Kiren Tanna
Kiren is a serial entrepreneur and seasoned startup operator with a deep track record across Asia. He has built and scaled ventures in markets like India, Indonesia, and Singapore—including as a founder of ZEN Rooms and Foodpanda. As EIR for Cohort 11, Kiren works directly with founders on go-to-market strategy, growth, and fundraising.
💬 “We look for founders who are coachable, data-driven, and obsessed with solving real problems.” – Kiren Tanna
Startup Selection: What Makes a Great Founder?
When evaluating applications for the accelerator, Kiren looks beyond traction and TAM slides. According to him, the most promising startups usually come down to three things:
A deep understanding of the problem they’re solving
Founder-market fit and early signs of execution
The ability to learn and iterate quickly
💬 “You can tell a lot from how founders think about their customers and make decisions. That’s where you see the difference.”
Go-to-Market Strategy: Keep It Simple, Focused, and Measurable
During the program, Kiren works closely with founders to refine their GTM approach—from customer segmentation to pricing.
💬 “You don’t need to boil the ocean. Win one customer segment first—and win it well.”
Startups are guided through frameworks and case studies to:
Prioritize distribution channels
Experiment with value propositions
Build scalable systems without over-engineering
Scaling Across Southeast Asia: The Realities and Opportunities
While Southeast Asia offers immense growth potential, Kiren reminds founders that it’s not a single market.
💬 “Southeast Asia is not one country. Every market has its own regulations, customer behaviors, and ecosystem quirks.”
Startups must balance:
Localization: Tailoring offerings to cultural and linguistic contexts
Operational scalability: Structuring teams for regional growth
Regulatory compliance: Navigating financial and data policies
Fundraising: What Investors Want (and What They Don’t)
Having raised and deployed capital across multiple ventures, Kiren knows what resonates in investor rooms.
💬 “Investors buy clarity and conviction. If your story isn’t sharp, your metrics won’t save you.”
His advice for founders gearing up for Demo Day includes:
Crafting a clear narrative arc
Knowing your numbers inside-out
Building long-term relationships before asking for capital
The Power of Community: Accelerating Together
Beyond frameworks and pitch decks, Kiren emphasizes the value of connection—whether it’s with fellow founders, mentors, or alumni.
💬 “Startup life is hard. Founders thrive when they feel supported, not just challenged.”
At Accelerating Asia, we believe in building together. Our mentor network, community events, and ongoing founder support create the environment for growth—long after the program ends.
Final Words of Advice
As Cohort 11 nears the final stretch of the program, Kiren leaves founders with this:
💬 “Startups win by learning faster than anyone else. Stay close to your users, move fast, and don’t be afraid to pivot.”
What’s Next for Cohort 11?
📅 Demo Day is coming up on July 25, 2025 – where Cohort 11 founders will pitch to a global network of investors, partners, and supporters. Stay tuned for updates and event announcements.
Want to work with mentors like Kiren?
We’re always looking for high-potential founders to join our community.
🚀 Apply for our next cohort or learn more about the program.