Global Launch
Singapore

What to expect

Through this program, you will be able to accelerate your go-to-market strategy for Singapore and Southeast Asia, get guidance from our world-class mentors and network with startups in our community as well as corporate partners and potential investors.

Develop a customized go-to-market business plan and Southeast Asia-specific growth strategy.

Access our global pool of relevant and highly active mentors with solid Southeast Asia business experience.

Meet startups from past batches, corporate partners and key industry stakeholders and leverage them  as a safe sounding board for your business and expansion plans.

Hear from our Program Alumni and Mentors
Josef Werker
Co-Founder & Managing Director, Penbrothers
"Becoming part of the 500 family has been a truly game-changing experience...the sheer quality of mentors, the network they unlock & the relationship built with the 500 team meant that we were able to focus on what was really important, getting the guidance we needed to turn our vision into reality"
Lauren Symborski
Marketing & Brand Lead,
Ginkan
"The 500 Global Launch Program has provided our team with priceless advice and fantastic guidance on how to tackle the Southeast Asian market and begin to plan our first go-to-market strategy for the region."
Jeff Bates
Global Markets Lead, Trustdock
"Working with this extraordinary 500 team, their network of partners and mentors, and my fellow startups was both fun and challenging in all the right ways. It forced clarity on critical components of our regional expansion strategy, and made important connections that will help us drive it."

Program Structure

Phase 1: Virtual 8-week Program 

We will kick-off the first 3 weeks focusing on the fundamentals of business expansion in Southeast Asia, with fortnightly networking sessions put in place for you to meet the industry experts virtually. There would be weekly masterclasses and office hours designed to help you refine your business with market insights from our pool of mentors and experts. Topics covered will include, amongst others:

  • Understanding the trends in Singapore and Southeast Asia
  • How to best achieve local product market fit
  • Understanding local business etiquettes
  • Best practices in conducting sales and formulating strategic partnerships
  • Expansion through local team building

The next 5 weeks will include weekly masterclasses and office hours with an assigned mentor to help you develop your strategy for expansion into the Singapore market and rest of Southeast Asia; as well as virtual happy hours, sharing sessions, and networking events with the community, potential corporate/SME partners and key stakeholders.

Phase 2: In-person 8-week Immersion

After validating your go-to-market strategy in Phase 1, you will focus on market expansion through introductions to relevant partners and stakeholders and access to resources to incorporate locally.

You will be expected to get your hands dirty as you continue to dive into your business expansion journey. We will assign you relevant mentors for help in sales, marketing, hiring your team, capital growth and more. 

We will also provide in-person networking events to connect with relevant potential customers, partners and industry stakeholders. 

For those who partake in Phase 2, we will prepare you to pitch at a Startup Showcase at the end of the immersion program.