Global venture capital firm 500 Startups has launched the latest season of its accelerator programme aimed at giving startups worldwide the opportunity to learn about how to enter the Singapore market, with a view to expanding their business across Southeast Asia.

Applications for Batch 4 of the Global Launch Singapore programme are now open until July 30 2021. The programme seeks to help early and growth-stage companies from around the world develop customized, market-specific business expansion and growth strategies.

Aside from giving access to a pool of mentors with extensive business experience across the region, the programme will also provide participating startups networking opportunities with its larger startup community, corporate partners and key industry stakeholders to help guide the selected applicants’ expansion plans.

“Southeast Asia is now one of the world’s most vibrant startup hubs. Through this programme, we aim to give some of the world’s most promising startups and their founders the tools, know-how and networks needed for them to enter the market through Singapore and how they can use the nation as a launchpad to scale their innovations regionally,” says Ee Ling Lim, regional director of APAC, business development, at 500 Startups.

Batch 4 of Global Launch Singapore programme will run for 16 weeks and is structured in two phases. First held in 2019, the programme is part of a partnership between 500 Startups and Enterprise Singapore which seeks to leverage both organizations’ strengths and experiences within the global and Southeast Asian startup ecosystems.