Project Alpha
Powering the next breakout story
Project Alpha 2018
2018 saw the launch of Project Alpha in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok and Singapore. Together with acclaimed entrepreneurs and local heroes, we hosted events in each of these 4 countries to inspire and target the next generation of founders. SeedPlus and AWS picked seven startups from the submissions to receive:
- Access to business and technical experts from AWS and SeedPlus
- USD 25,000 Activate portfolio package from AWS
- Market recognition from AWS and SeedPlus as a high-growth, high-potential ASEAN startup
- Potential seed round funding from SeedPlus
Finalists announced
29 October 2018
We are proud to unveil the finalists of Project Alpha 2018. Ranging from chatbots to workforce management, we believe they represent the best of the region's early-stage startups:
42Lab
Singapore: 42Lab envisions to develop future leaders in the field of BioScience by providing students an early and better understanding of Biotechnology during their middle to high school years.
Jasaconnect
Jakarta: Jasaconnect builds a platform to manage and transform onsite workforces for the on-demand age, with a focus on maintenance and repair.
Lapasar
Kuala Lumpur: Lapasar revolutionizes corporate procurement by integrating convenience with a diverse marketplace filled with office supply vendors of different shapes and sizes.
Noodle Factory
Singapore: Noodle Factory builds Walter, a personal chatbot mentor that can be used both by individuals and by enterprises, helping with learning, compliance, retention and procedures.
Pipwave
Kuala Lumpur: Pipwave by Dynamic Podium is a simple, reliable, and cost-effective way to accept payments online, with built-in fraud detection.
Quest
Bangkok: Quest provides online real-time platform to allow a pathway to the digital literacy of the 21st century focusing on language expertise in soft skills and coding skills.
All finalists will be on-boarded to AWS and given a USD 25,000 Activate portfolio package. AWS will also provide mentorship on best practices for web architecture, security and advanced AWS service usage for AI/ML, analytics and IoT.
A dedicated SeedPlus partner will work with the finalists on issues ranging from strategy and business development to product and recruitment, and support the shortlisted founders in building sustainable businesses. SeedPlus will also consider investing seed funding at the conclusion of the process.
Kuala Lumpur
5 July 2018 at Common Ground, TTDI
The inaugural Project Alpha event was held at Common Ground TTDI. Joining speakers from SeedPlus and AWS were Chen Chow Yeoh, Cofounder of Fave and Emmanuel Frenehard, CTO of iFlix.
Submission for Kuala Lumpur-based startups closed on 19 July 2018.
Jakarta
9 August 2018 at Go-Jek HQ
The second stop of the Project Alpha roadshow was hosted with Indonesia’s first unicorn startup GO-JEK. GO-JEK and GO-LIFE speakers participated, alongside rising stars Bizzy and Modalku.
Submission for Jakarta-based startups closed on 23 August 2018.
Bangkok
6 September 2018 at AETAS Lumpini
Project Alpha’s third incarnation took place at AETAS Lumpini, and was co-hosted together with True Digital Park, HUBBA and Techsauce.
Joining speakers from SeedPlus and AWS were David Jou, CEO of Pomelo and Myo Zaw, CTO of 2C2P.
Submission for Bangkok-based startups closed on 20 September 2018.
Singapore
2 October 2018 at AWS HQ
The final stop for Project Alpha in 2018 was in Singapore, where AWS hosted Gillian Tee, CEO of rising star Homage, K1 Suzuki, Head of Technology at Grab Ventures, and Agung Nugroho, Co-Founder and COO of Kudo (now part of Grab).
Submission for Singapore-based startups closed on 16 October 2018.
How they pitched
Participants submits five-page pitch decks. The template highlights all the relevant information Project Alpha is looking for founders are free to add anything that would help in getting to know your team, your company or your market better.
There are also some very objective eligibility criteria:
- HQ or main operations must be in a Project Alpha city (i.e. Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, Singapore)
- Previously raised no more than US$250,000 in start-up funding
- Submit a 5 page PDF deck in English using the provided pitch deck template.
- All applications submitted after the closing date will not be reviewed.
For questions, comments, press inquiries, or to say hi.