For JFDI Startups

JFDI Program Manager, Kai Huang works with hundreds of startups every year through our Accelerate and Discover Programs. He learns not by merely reading decks and applications, but by working closely with startup founders in Asia, writes David Ongchoco. Four aspects of submissions to JFDI often stand out for Kai as open for improvement. 1….

It is very easy to get excited about a new idea but it is always essential to take a step back and see the bigger picture. Gaven Henry was able to validate his idea, solidify his business model and get feedback from mentors through the JFDI Discover program, writes David Ongchoco JFDI Discover is our 21-day online…

It’s Demo Day for JFDI Accelerate 2015A! 9 of our newest startup teams pitchied today to the most active early-stage investors in Southeast Asia JFDI Accelerate 2015A teams Today we gave our 9 newest startup teams a platform to pitch to an invitation-only audience of South East Asia’s most active early-stage investors. The teams are…

I just got two emails asking about JFDI’s ‘success rate’ with startups. They set me thinking about the patterns of success and failure we’ve seen looking at well over 2,000 startup teams in the last few years and why we can now pass on 96% of the applications to JFDI Accelerate with confidence, writes JFDI…

Don Phan was shopping for groceries with his wife in Vietnam when he noticed a young woman. She was struggling to steer a motorbike while holding her baby and several large packs of diapers. This obvious ‘pain point’ inspired him to co-found a diaper delivery service, writes David Ongchoco Taembe.com was part of the JFDI 2015A…

They say you never forget your first love – and that applies to startups too. Startup business Homework Elves helps parents to guide their children through homework problems. Co-founder YL Ang learned not to fall in love with the team’s initial idea, writes Cui-Lyn Huang. We were doing online research to learn about other startups and…

A recent question about how the ‘Joyful Frog Digital Incubator’ got its name prompted CEO Hugh Mason to describe the difference between accelerators and incubators, writes Crystal Neri. The job of an accelerator is to make (B) or break (C) a startup (after Bill Aulet, MIT) JFDI.Asia is best known for its accelerator program, so…

A workshop held last night explored how automating legal documentation could be a key technology that helps startups scale across ASEAN. JFDI is spinning out the processes it has developed to address this pain point, writes JFDI co-founder Meng Wong First-time entrepreneurs imagine that cutting their first deal with investors will be a handshake and…

Lunchtime frustration with a vending machine stacked with unhealthy snacks inspired Walter Oh and Andrew Lim with the idea for a new business. But how to build it without a CTO? David Ongchoco picks up the story.   Snack Better And Healthier BoxGreen is building a personalized e-commerce brand for healthy, delicious and wholesome snacks currently…

JFDI’s Singapore operation is relocating to BASH at Block 79 @ one-north. The move will start this week, with migration expected to complete by mid-July, in time for JFDI’s next Accelerate program to kick off in August. Many of JFDI’s resident mentors and investors have also committed to join JFDI to add to the vibrant community…