muru-D (muru digital), Telstra-backed startup accelerator, was launched in Singapore on Wednesday. It will be headed by Joseph Ziegler, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, and Jamie Camidge, Head of Strategic Partnerships & Alliances. Launching at the 2nd location after its debut in Sydney in October 2013, muru-D aspires to attract the region’s best digital talent, foster local technology innovation and grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem across Southeast Asia.
According to Telstra, applications will open in May for ten technology startups from across Southeast Asia to be recruited for the inaugural six-month accelerator program, which begins in August 2015. The ten successful startups will receive SGD$40,000 in seed capital, space in muru-D Singapore’s central business district office and introductions to world-class mentors, coaches and investors, following a pan-Asian roadshow led by Joseph and Jamie throughout May and June.
The startup accelerator program saw its first nine Australian-based startups attracting more than SGD$3.15 million (AU$3 million) in follow-on funding, said the Operator.
"#muruDSing is here to build an ecosystem where new ideas are recognized & funded" Telstra CEO @davidthodey pic.twitter.com/YlAYpsAuDk
— muru-D Singapore (@murudsin) April 29, 2015
Annie Parker, Co-Founder at muru-D
With its fast-developing startup ecosystem, pro-business policies and access to local capital, Singapore offers entrepreneurs a tremendous launch pad into Southeast Asia, which has a burgeoning population of more than 600 million people and GDP in excess of SGD$2.4 trillion2. muru-D will help accelerate technology innovation throughout Southeast Asia and we look forward to, not only attracting the best digital talent but, critically, creating the right conditions for their long-term success.
Kiren Kumar, Director of Infocomms & Media at the Singapore Economic Development Board
We are pleased that muru-D has chosen Singapore to house its second accelerator. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Telstra to build even more digital businesses across Singapore, while supporting the ongoing growth of Telstra’s business throughout Asia.
