Question 1

What is the SEA+ Southeast Asia Accelerator Programme?

Accepted Answer

The SEA+ Accelerator is a regional early-growth programme for Seed to Series A technology companies expanding across Southeast Asia. It is a consortium-backed, practitioner-led accelerator focused on revenue clarity, capital efficiency, and disciplined regional expansion. The programme includes a 3-day in-person Revenue and Regional Expansion Bootcamp, one month of hybrid group and 1-on-1 coaching, corporate and financing solution matchmaking, product deployment support, and a Graduation and Community Mixer.

Question 2

What are the eligibility requirements for the SEA+ Accelerator?

Accepted Answer

The SEA+ Accelerator is open to Seed to Series A companies, or those with a minimum of USD 500,000 in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). Additional requirements include at least 12 months of cash runway at point of application, minimum 30% year-on-year topline revenue growth, founders or key management retaining a combined shareholding above 70%, and a clear intention to expand into one or more Southeast Asian markets. Both SEA-domiciled and international companies from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and beyond are welcome to apply. Where an applicant falls short on one financial threshold but demonstrates strong growth trajectory and compelling independent recommendations, the admissions committee will consider the application on its overall merits.

Question 3

What does the plus sign (+) in SEA+ Accelerator mean?

Accepted Answer

The plus sign (+) in SEA+ reflects the programme's openness to international companies beyond Southeast Asia. While SEA-based companies are given priority, technology enterprises from outside the region seeking structured market entry into Southeast Asia are encouraged to apply. The programme supports opportunity sizing, purchase intent validation, and expansion feasibility assessment before significant capital deployment.

Question 4

Which Southeast Asian markets does the SEA+ Accelerator focus on in 2026?

Accepted Answer

For both 2026 cohorts, the SEA+ Accelerator focuses on three primary markets: Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore. This reflects a deliberate balance between our investment partners' thesis coverage and GUIDE's on-ground operational capabilities. Applicants may indicate interest in one, two, or all three markets. Companies with broader regional ambitions beyond this belt are still welcome to apply; however, structured cross-border support will be concentrated on these three markets for the 2026 programme cycle.

Question 5

What outcomes can companies expect from the SEA+ Accelerator?

Accepted Answer

Participating companies will develop a clear SEA-appropriate go-to-market and revenue strategy, validate with 5 to 10 real target customers in Southeast Asia, and produce investment-ready materials and organisational structure. They will also receive clear signals on funding readiness and execution gaps, along with direct engagement with 5 to 10 aligned investors and strategic partners.

Question 6

What is the selection process for the SEA+ Accelerator?

Accepted Answer

The SEA+ Accelerator selection process is multi-stage and merit-based. Steps include: application submission via the GUIDE website, submission of two independent recommendations, material screening by the programme admissions team, one to two rounds of online interviews, and issuance of an official admission letter upon acceptance. Cohort size is limited to 5 to 12 companies to preserve depth of engagement.

Question 7

What makes the SEA+ Accelerator different from other accelerators?

Accepted Answer

The SEA+ Accelerator is practitioner-built and revenue-first, structured around revenue opportunity mapping, capital requirement analysis, and real customer validation rather than early-stage incubation or demo-day formats. It is also consortium-backed, bringing together operators, corporates, and capital providers to create structured relationship pathways for sustainable Southeast Asia expansion.

Question 8

Which investors are involved in the SEA+ Accelerator programme?

Accepted Answer

The SEA+ Accelerator is backed by five active thesis-based regional VC partners: Gobi Partners, Monk's Hill Ventures, East Ventures, TNB Aura, and Tin Men Capital. Together they hold over USD 3.3 billion in AUM, have invested in 600 or more portfolio companies across Southeast Asia, and provide access to capital from seed through Series B. They have collectively funded 8 unicorns and backed companies across major SEA markets, with sector depth in B2B tech, consumer, fintech, logistics, agritech, and enterprise SaaS.

Question 9

Does joining the SEA+ Accelerator guarantee investment from VC partners?

Accepted Answer

Enrolment into the SEA+ Accelerator and investment decisions are two independent and separately governed tracks. GUIDE leads the programme admissions process; investment decisions rest solely with senior representatives of each respective VC partner. While the programme has been aligned with and endorsed by our Investor Partners, this does not constitute a commitment to invest. GUIDE plays no role in any Investment Committee process and offers no guarantee of investment outcomes.

Question 10

What is the programme fee for the SEA+ Accelerator 2026?

Accepted Answer

The programme fee for the SEA+ Accelerator 2026 is USD 7,560 per company, covering up to two participants. The fee includes the practitioner-built curriculum and all programme materials, honorarium for featured speakers and subject matter experts, venue and meals during in-person sessions, and three months of ongoing business development and value-creation support including dedicated portfolio account management. Travel and accommodation costs are not covered by the programme fee.

Question 11

Why does the SEA+ Accelerator charge a programme fee?

Accepted Answer

The SEA+ Accelerator charges a programme fee because meaningful learning works best when participants make a conscious commitment. While many programme costs are subsidised to reduce the financial burden on founders, the participation fee reflects the seriousness, effort, and value of the learning journey and helps ensure that all participants are fully committed to engaging with the programme.

Question 12

Can the SEA+ Accelerator programme fee be sponsored by investors or partners?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The programme fee may be covered by a nominating organisation such as a venture capital firm, ecosystem partner, or corporate sponsor. Many companies join the SEA+ Accelerator through nominations from their investors or ecosystem partners, who sponsor participation as part of their portfolio development and capability-building efforts.

Question 13

What language is the SEA+ Accelerator conducted in?

Accepted Answer

The SEA+ Accelerator is conducted entirely in English, including all workshops, group discussions, 1-on-1 coaching sessions, and programme materials. Participants should be comfortable communicating in English to fully benefit from the sessions and peer exchanges.

Question 14

How does the SEA+ Accelerator support diversity and inclusion?

Accepted Answer

The SEA+ Accelerator is built on the principle that access to world-class venture education and support should not be limited by geography, background, or founder profile. All applicants are evaluated strictly on merit, scalability, and regional market potential. The programme actively encourages applications from underrepresented founder groups, including female-led ventures and companies from markets typically underserved by regional accelerators, to reflect the full breadth and diversity of Southeast Asia's innovation ecosystem.

Bootcamp Agenda

Southeast Asia+ Accelerator Programme

Unlocking Southeast Asia Regional Market Opportunities,

Building Capital-Efficient & Scale-ready Scaleups