Launch of World’s First Global MaritimeTech Accelerator in Singapore

Techstars, a worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed, and Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS), a world leading ship management company, announces they are jointly launching the world’s first global MaritimeTech accelerator, the EPS MaritimeTech Accelerator Powered by Techstars. Based in Singapore, this new mentorship-driven accelerator program will be Techstars second accelerator in the sovereign city-state.

“Eastern Pacific Shipping is one of the top global players in the merchant maritime space with a clear innovation-driven agenda that’s poised to disrupt the industry,” says Will Robinson, VP of Asia-Pacific Sales. “This partnership is a great match for Techstars, and we’re thrilled to partner with EPS in the world’s maritime and shipping capital and present the market with a catalyst for innovation in this industry. We’re excited to further expand the Techstars brand and network in the APAC region and look forward to working with EPS to support entrepreneurs in their journey to transform this enormous industry”.

The EPS MaritimeTech Accelerator Powered by Techstars will accept applications from startups around the world and ultimately select 10 companies—including the most promising local and regional startups—to participate in the program’s inaugural class. The companies will gather in Singapore for an intensive three-month program of research and development, mentorship, and collaboration at EPS headquarters at Millenia Tower in Singapore. We encourage applications from entrepreneurs focused disrupting the maritime industry with technologies related to regulations, fuel efficiency, vessel operations, digitalization, and other subthemes.

Led by a Techstars Managing Director and staff, and augmented by Eastern Pacific leadership and mentors, the experience will culminate in a demo day. At this event, each startup will pitch its newly polished business to an audience of venture capitalists, corporate innovation leaders, and industry experts, with the goal of facilitating investment in the companies while broadening and energizing the local entrepreneurial community.

“The merchant maritime industry is one of the oldest in the world, yet advancements in the business come slowly, lagging behind the latest technological trends that other mature industries readily adopt,” says Gil Ofer, Business Development Manager of EPS. “Eastern Pacific Shipping aims to address this long-standing issue by partnering with Techstars to launch the world’s first global MaritimeTech accelerator to cultivate and mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs in an industry that is ripe for disruption.”

Applications for the EPS MaritimeTech Accelerator Powered by Techstars will open in April 2019 and the program will begin in November 2019. Startups interested in the program are encouraged to learn more on the EPS MaritimeTech Accelerator Powered by Techstars page, or express interest using the Office Hours form. If you’re a corporation interested in learning about Techstars Accelerator corporate partnerships, click here.