Habitat’s ShelterTech names 10 startups in its newest accelerator in Southeast Asia

ShelterTech, a housing solutions-centered global innovation platform from non-profit Habitat for Humanity, revealed the 10 startups set to join its newest accelerator in Southeast Asia.

ShelterTech Accelerator’s three-day bootcamp in 2019 / Photo credit: ShelterTech

The ShelterTech accelerator is a program that aims to support entrepreneurs who address housing issues for low-income families with innovative and scalable solutions. It provides mentorship, masterclasses, and connections to investors and partners, among others.

Its newest accelerator, which joins its existing ones in India, Kenya, Mexico, and the Andean region, is set to be held online and will focus on solutions that work within the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

For Southeast Asia, the program is anchored by early-stage impact incubator Villgro Philippines in collaboration with capacity-building consulting and seed investment company Global Urban Village. Advisors of the new accelerator include PropertyGuru co-founder Steve Melhuish, Liteblock founder and CEO Slater Young, and Seeva Capital managing partner Tean Ly.

“We were overwhelmed by the response from applicants in the Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Singapore,” said Villgro Philippines co-founder and CEO Priya Thachadi. “From over 100 applications, we have selected those who are in the best position to provide safe, affordable housing solutions to low-income families in Southeast Asia.”

The selected startups are those with products and services that address housing livability and affordability, operating in sectors related to materials, labor, finance, land, markets, energy and water, and sanitation.

The accelerator is scheduled to run starting this month. The chosen startups are set to go through technical training, refine their business plans, conduct product demonstrations, and conduct one-on-one mentorship sessions with housing sector experts.

Startups in the cohort include:

• AffordAble Abodes, Malaysia
• Billion Bricks, Singapore
• Cubo Modular, Philippines
• Gradana, Indonesia
• My Dream Home, Cambodia
• Nay Yar Housing, Myanmar
• Pounamu, Myanmar
• Sampangan, Indonesia
• Social Light, Philippines
• TapEffect, Cambodia

After the acceleration phase, the participants will have the opportunity to establish connections with global players in housing and impact investment, ShelterTech said.