Phandeeyar launches as first tech accelerator in Myanmar

Myanmar’s (Burma) first ever tech accelerator, Phandeeyar, began accepting submissions for the programme on 17 June.

Phandeeyar emerged from the Code For Change hackathon which focused on creating tech solutions for small and medium businesses.

“We got a really acute sense of both the opportunity and the level of talent in the start-up community but also of the challenges they face,” said David Madden to Myanmar Times.

“We want to invest in this next generation of entrepreneurs who are going to build the products and services that are going to power the digital leapfrog,” Madden continued.

The programs selected for the accelerator receive US$25 000 in seed funding as well as mentoring from more than 20 professionals from Myanmar and abroad. Phandeeyar has also teamed up with FbStart, AWS Activate, Telenor Myanmar, and Wave Money to provide the startups with necessary services.

Startups will also receive access to Phandeeyar’s network of people as well as training in courses specific to starting a successful startup.

Some of the advisors include Ameya Upadhyay who’s in charge of principal investments at the Omidyar Network as well as Jeffrey Paine, the managing partner at Golden Gate Ventures. Other advisors include CEO at Rockstarz Asia, Joseph K. Zieglar as well as Co-founder and CEO of Pollenizer, Phil Morle.

To take part in the intense six-month program your startup would need to be based in Myanmar, be a single founder or team, be working on your innovative product already and be willing to commit to your startup full-time.

Phandeeyar, was founded in 2014.

For more information on the accelerator, visit the Phandeeyar website.

Featured image: Roderick Eime via Flickr