The Programme
Rainmaking Expand: South East Asia is a market entry programme for startups and SMEs looking to expand and de-risk entry into the South East Asian market. We do this by collaboratively working with your company to strategically validate the best method for your business to enter into South East Asia and support the execution by connecting and building commercial opportunities.
Companies in the programme will go through three phases, adapted to your specific needs, readiness and schedule. We do this because we understand that market expansion cannot be timeboxed and can vary between each company. In the programme, you and your team will work closely with an Expand Lead—who will guide your overall development and expansion— as well as a Partnerships Lead—who will connect you to our broader network in-market to generate strong business leads and support your expansion with the goal to achieve commercial success.
Japan-based startups can apply for this programme via X-HUB TOKYO.
Programme Timeline
Japan-based startups can apply for this programme via X-HUB TOKYO. We will be accepting companies like yours into the programme, focusing on flexible and dynamic approaches to the South East Asian market, which is inline with both your company plans and with the opportunities discovered in-market.
Startups and SMEs who join this programme will go through three phases: Go-To-Market Review, Go-To-Market Execution and Post-Programme Support. After connecting with various commercial leads and making progress towards commercial agreements in Phase 2, companies are able to access some post-programme support in Phase 3.
Phase 1
Go-To-Market Review: De-Risk Your Market Entry
This phase focuses on working with your company to identify a clear understanding of the market potential for your business in South East Asia and validate your market entry.
The process for this is tailored for every company as we recognise that no two market entry strategies are the same.
Therefore we will adapt the process to your unique situation while also utilising our proven methodology to:
- Identify assumptions on the business model
- (re)Define the customer segments and the value proposition best suited to them
- Master a clear presentation for South East Asia
Phase 2
Go-To-Market Execution: Validate Commercial
This phase focuses on the execution of the Go-To-Market strategy. During this phase, we focus on connecting with key players within South East Asia and developing relationships with potential partners.
You can expect us to collaborate and navigate introductions which can lead to commercial outcomes while also:
- Confirming and executing the expansion strategy
- Generating high value market counterpart introductions
- Creating high potential opportunities
- Achieving concrete commercial engagements
Phase 3
Post-Programme Support: Commercial Engagement Development
After completing Phase 1 and 2, your company will move into Phase 3 which focuses on post-programme support. Phase 3 consists of regular check-ins and ad-hoc business introductions when we identify new potential leads in relation to your business needs.
In order to maximise your success in South East Asia, this post-programme support is tailored to your needs and requirements.
Selection Process
Application
Japan-based startups can register for this programme via X-HUB TOKYO.
Applications are currently open until 24 July 2023.
Interview
If your application passes the initial stages, you’ll be invited to an online call for further review. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about the programme, and for us to better understand how we might support your expansion goals.
Internal Review
Upon completing the interview, our team internally reviews your company and your expansion plans for South East Asia.
Agreement Review
Upon a successful selection for the programme, we enter the agreement process review to align expectations and outcomes for the programme.
Why South East Asia?
Welcomes International Startups
South East Asia welcomes high potential startups through various initiatives and innovation projects. Startups can find a diverse environment in South East Asia with both partners and governments eager to support your solution into the market.
Youthful & Eager Market
South East Asia is home to large youthful market that are eager and curious about new technologies. The South East Asian population are recognised to be more adaptive to new solutions and have actively invited new startup ideas to their home markets.
Strong Alignment with Society
The local markets in South East Asia have shown a strong alignment between what is good for business and what is good for society. This creates a large amount of potential for new solutions and technology to tap into.
Influx of Investments
South East Asian countries have seen an increase in government investment in startup ecosystems, improved educational facilities, and investments in technology, creating an attractive market for investment and startup development
Rapid Growth
South East Asia is rapidly growing, expanding to implement new technologies to support society and innovation in multiple sectors. Large initiatives in these spaces are supported by governments.
Broad Market
South East Asia boasts a broad market with a range of challenges looking for disruption. Overall, the market is open to new solutions to assist in evolving the society and way of working.
Testimonials
Hacarus
Hacarus joined the South East Asia programme, focusing on validating their target markets and aligning their priorities. Through the programme, they gained expert advice and guidance, driving their next steps within the South East Asian market and acquiring qualified leads which sets them up for their market entry.
Rainmaking Expand: South East Asia / X-HUB TOKYO is a fantastic programme that helped us to focus priorities, validate some assumptions that we had about the South East Asian Market, while also leading to new insights which brought clarity to our strategy and planning moving forward. We especially liked how the programme was tailored to our specific needs and growth stage, so every session or interaction was always adding value. Through this program, we now have a clearer view of the landscape in our priority South East Asian Markets and have even been able to acquire qualified leads, which we hope to turn into actualised business in the near future.
— J.J. Price, Global Business Development Manager, Hacarus
Credit Engine
Credit Engine joined the South East Asia programme with the goal to refine their market entry strategy and to identify key contacts in their target market. By working with the Rainmaking Expand team, they were able to meet with a variety of subject matter experts, broaden their local industry knowledge in South East Asia and put together the next steps for South East Asia.
Rainmaking Expand: South East Asia / X-HUB TOKYO is one of the best business building programmes that we experienced. It is truly a holistic programme that encompasses structure, business strategy review and engagement, with specific business matching with potential partners. The Rainmaking team is highly collaborative, extremely responsible and dedicated to ensuring that the programme initiatives add meaningful value.
— Credit Engine
Powered By
Rainmaking is one the world’s most prolific corporate innovation and new venture building studios. We are a global team of over 200 that creates, accelerates, and scales new businesses with the world’s leading corporations and entrepreneurs across 13 offices on 4 continents.
Since 2010, we have run our programmes under the Startupbootcamp (SBC) brand. We are now a global family of 20+ programmes running +90 cycles in partnership with 200+ industry partners across various sectors.
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Apply Now
Japan-based startups can apply for this programme via X-HUB TOKYO. Apply for the programme now via the X-HUB TOKYO Website.