JFDI.Asia

JFDI.Asia is a Singapore-based seed accelerator founded by Hugh Mason and Meng Wong in 2010. Like other accelerators, JFDI.Asia offers startups a mix of seed funding, mentorship, and the opportunity to pitch to more investors on “Demo Day.” JFDI has run four batches and now has 50 startups in its portfolio, with founders from 12 countries, primarily India and Southeast Asia. 60% of its graduates go on to raise seed funding.
JFDI.Asia fosters a community of entrepreneurs, mentors and investors in the region.
History
JFDI.Asia is part of the seed accelerator movement inspired by Y Combinator, but also part of a larger innovation entrepreneurship movement which seeks to transmit the culture of Silicon Valley to Southeast Asia by supporting startups.
In 2010, JFDI brought mentors to Southeast Asia to work with Internet entrepreneurs.
In 2011, JFDI conducted startup weekends at six different cities in Asia. JFDI also became a founding member of the Global Accelerator Network, GAN, set up by Techstars.
In 2012, JFDI raised money from angel investors and launched its first bootcamp with 12 teams.
In 2013 and 2014, JFDI ran two bootcamps each.
In March 2014, JFDI.Asia raised S$2.7 million (USD $2.1 million) in funding. The main investors were the investment arm of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), Silicon-Valley-based FENOX Venture Capital, and Russian firm SpinUp Partners.
Mascot
JFDI is an abbreviation for Joyful Frog Digital Incubator. The frog refers to Asian proverbs regarding wells and oceans. The JFDI mascot is named Smoochy, after the Beanie Baby.
Program Portfolio
JFDI Accelerate Program
The JFDI Accelerate Program is a 100-day program for startup teams. JFDI offers S$25,000 cash investment at the start of the program and over S$100,000 through other services. In turn, JFDI takes a stake of equity of each business. The Demo Day at the end of the program features the teams pitching their business to over 100 investors. Over 60% of the startups that have gone through the program have secured funding. The average amount raised per team is $500,000.
JFDI Discover Program
JFDI Discover is a recently launched 21-day pre-accelerator training program for entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs or just enthusiasts. Participants are taught Lean Startup methodology and customer development practices.

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