The GIA Mumbai Acceleration Program, a collaborative effort between Enterprise Singapore and Startup Réseau, is a comprehensive three-phase initiative for Singaporean companies venturing into the Indian market. It begins with a two-week Explore phase, offering insights into India's market opportunities. Next is the six-week Build phase, focusing on forging linkages, developing concepts, and securing contracts. Finally, the three-month Grow phase, customizable for market readiness, includes personalized support and an immersive trip to India. Through these phases, the program equips companies with the tools for successful expansion in India.
Enterprise Singapore is the government agency championing enterprise development. We work with committed companies to build capabilities, innovate, and internationalise. We also support the growth of Singapore as a hub for global trading and startups. As the national standards and accreditation body, we continue to build trust in Singapore’s products and services through quality and standards.
The Global Innovation Alliance is a network of Singapore and overseas partners in major innovation hubs and key demand markets, with a focus on technology and innovation. It is a joint initiative between Enterprise Singapore and the Singapore Economic Development Board. They have partnered in-market players across GIA cities to run inbound and outbound GIA Acceleration Programmes to connect companies to overseas business and tech communities. The GIA Acceleration Programmes supports Singapore startups and SMEs in venturing abroad; and international startups in scaling up in Asia through Singapore as a springboard.
Organised by Startup Réseau, the GIA Mumbai Acceleration Programme is a strategic pathway divided into 3 phases, each tailored to meet the unique needs of companies at varying points in their growth story:
A 2-weeks virtual program to open up India market opportunity to Singapore-based innovative / emerging tech companies. “Explore” educates and enables companies to decide on a go / no-go strategy for the India market through interactions with market experts, domain experts, enterprise / innovation leaders and more.
A 6-week long India market accelerator designed to further B2B / B2G linkages and unlock business opportunities in-market. Perfect for venture backed companies or companies with ongoing revenues wanting to invest time and resources in the market, to create opportunities. Get hands on support to discover opportunities, building potential POCs, contracting opportunities and forging partnerships; while being supported with essentials on doing business in India and a 1-week market trip to India.
An intensive customised 3-months long program (with an option to extend) for companies with market readiness, clarity of a India plan, availability of funds to incur costs on the market. Customize your market readiness with personalized business leads, local product development and an immersive in-market trip to India, ensuring a strategic and effective expansion.
Each phase will offer personalised knowledge sessions customised to the needs of companies, ensuring targeted learning experiences.
Companies will be matched with key ecosystem players and potential clients aligned with their industry and solutions. Dedicated B2B support will also be provided by Startup Réseau and mentors.
Comprehensive workshops will be organised, equipping companies with the necessary skill sets to navigate the Indian market effectively. Topics covered include market entry, marketing and pricing strategies, regulatory compliances, and many more.
Companies will visit India for second-level meetings with generated leads, networking sessions and industry visits, gaining presence in the Iocal ecosystem.
Participants:
Hours of Virtual programming including workshops, and mentorship sessions
Exclusive interactions with local ecosystem stakeholders including associations, professionals, serial entrepreneurs and more
B2B Introductions with potential customers, partners and industry players
Visits and
Meetings:
uParcel was a first-time entrant to the India market with many uncertainties. Startup Réseau has helped us connect with valuable stakeholders and corporate partners to have a deep understanding of the market and accelerate our entry strategies. Without their support and connections, we would not be able to get plugged into the local ecosystem so quickly.
From the onset, the GIA program offered a blend of market insights, networking opportunities, and comprehensive support that exceeded our expectations. The Startup Reseau team's dedication and efforts in organizing the meetings with different stakeholders were very helpful. These interactions didn't merely skim the surface; they delved deep into market opportunities and helped better chart a roadmap on how best to maximize them. However, what we found most invaluable was the program's focus on the intricacies of decisionmaking processes, which are often overlooked but crucial to unlocking market opportunities. The insights provided by your team, partners, and advisors had a tangible impact on our strategic planning, enabling us to navigate complex market dynamics with increased confidence and precision.
As a new fintech startup looking to enter the Indian market, we are very pleased to have worked with Startup Réseau. During the program, several meetings and introductions (both online as well as offline) were organised with industry practitioners who provided a holistic and sensible range of advice. The interactions provided very good insights into the state of Indian fintech industry, the trends and market practices. Also, some of the meetings were with stakeholders in the industry and hence provided us with access and introduction to industry insiders which may prove valuable even in the long run. Some of the meetings arranged have led to follow-up meetings and we are currently in conversation with two parties discussing the next steps. We believe the Startup Réseau team is capable and would recommend other Singapore startups to join their accelerator programme.