Startupbootcamp Fintech Singapore, part of a global accelerator network whose Singapore branch specialises in financial technology, has established strategic partnerships with PwC Singapore, Pix Vine Capital and Jungle Ventures.
These partnerships will provide expertise, exposure channels and access to a network of industry professionals in Singapore and across the wider Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
Steven Tong, formerly an assistant director at Infocomm Investments, has also been brought on board as the managing director of Startupbootcamp Fintech Singapore.
These partnerships further augment the resources of Startupbootcamp Fintech, as well as cementing Singapore’s position as a high-potential fintech ecosystem.
PwC Singapore’s partnerships leverages on the industry access it offers, via its vast client base and support across the region, while Pix Vine Capital and Jungle Ventures bring valuable connections to the venture capital sector and in-depth knowledge of APAC technology ecosystems.
Chou Fang Soong, general partner of Pix Vine Capital, noted the value of Startupbootcamp and its new partnerships to the regional startup ecosystem, and said it aligned with the firm’s shift into fintech. This has also led to its recent investment in peer-to-peer lending platform MoolahSense.
In his view, the move establishes Singapore as a bridge to other ecosystems, as well as establishes a basis for Singapore to become a hub for financial innovation alongside London and New York.
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Adding his observation, Anurag Srivastava of Jungle Ventures noted that the financial sector in Asia was due for an overhaul. Srivastava said, “There is a deep desire for change and innovation from both the consumers and enterprises. We see Startupbootcamp FinTech playing an important and timely role in catalysing the growth of more disruptive startups in this space and we are very pleased to work closely with them.”
The incoming managing director, Steven Tong, brings 15 years’ experience of working with technology companies, including extensive experience establishing and funding several accelerator programs, including JFDI and Startupbootcamp FinTech, gained while with Infocomm Investments.
Commenting on his new appointment, Tong said, “Having worked with startups across the US and Asia over the last ten years, I am extremely excited to be joining what, I believe, is the best FinTech accelerator in the region. I am looking forward to working with the three new partners coming on board, PwC Singapore, Jungle Ventures and Pix Vine Capital, who will play a crucial role in helping the 10 startups in this year’s program scale regionally.”
Antony Eldridge, financial services leader for PwC Singapore said: “We are really excited at the opportunity to continue supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Singapore. Our financial services experts will be helping to coach FinTech startups as they seek validation and adoption by leading financial institutions and their customers.”
Eldridge added: “In today’s market, digital transformation and innovation are central to helping our clients evolve through disruptive change, and our partnership with Startupbootcamp FinTech will further help PwC Singapore to support the revolution taking place in the financial services industry, both at home and overseas.”
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