Rethinking Startup Acceleration in Indonesia: The Philosophy Shift – Why Indonesia Needs a Different Kind of Accelerator

The Accelerator Conundrum is a multipart series that challenges the prevailing wisdom of the tech startup ecosystem that entrepreneurs should Blitzscale out of the gate. Written by Sramana Mitra, the Founder and CEO of One Million by One Million (1Mby1M), the world’s first global virtual accelerator, it emphatically argues that a better strategy is to Bootstrap First, Raise Money Later, focus on customers, revenues and profits. 1Mby1M’s mission is to help a Million entrepreneurs reach a million dollars in annual revenue and beyond. Sramana’s Digital Mind AI Mentor virtually mentors entrepreneurs around the world in 57 languages. Try it out!

Over the past decade, Indonesia has seen a remarkable surge in entrepreneurial activity. From fintech unicorns like Gojek and OVO to a rapidly expanding SME digitization movement, the country’s startup ecosystem has matured in exciting ways.

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Colors: Window VI

I’m publishing this series on LinkedIn called Colors to explore a topic that I care deeply about: the Renaissance Mind. I am just as passionate about entrepreneurship, technology, and business, as I am about art and culture. In this series, I will typically publish a piece of art – one of my paintings – and I request you to spend a minute or two deeply meditating on it. I urge you to watch your feelings, thoughts, reactions to the piece, and write what comes to you, what thoughts it triggers, in the dialog area. Let us see what stimulation this interaction yields. For today – Window VI

Window VI | Sramana Mitra, 2023 | Watercolor, Ink, Pastel | 9 x 12, On Paper

Startup Hong Kong: Why 1Mby1M and Its Chinese AI Mentor Are Game Changers

The Accelerator Conundrum is a multipart series that challenges the prevailing wisdom of the tech startup ecosystem that entrepreneurs should Blitzscale out of the gate. Written by Sramana Mitra, the Founder and CEO of One Million by One Million (1Mby1M), the world’s first global virtual accelerator, it emphatically argues that a better strategy is to Bootstrap First, Raise Money Later, focus on customers, revenues and profits. 1Mby1M’s mission is to help a Million entrepreneurs reach a million dollars in annual revenue and beyond. Sramana’s Digital Mind AI Mentor virtually mentors entrepreneurs around the world in 57 languages. Try it out!

Hong Kong has a sophisticated, globally connected startup ecosystem, particularly in fintech, blockchain, hardware, and AI. Programs like Cyberport, HKSTP, Betatron, Brinc, and corporate accelerators offer mentorship, funding, and pilot programs. Yet despite these advantages, many founders face a common challenge: accelerator support often ends right when it’s most needed—during scaling, market expansion, and strategic decision-making.

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Startup Hong Kong: Local Accelerators vs. 1Mby1M – The Case for Continuous Mentorship

The Accelerator Conundrum is a multipart series that challenges the prevailing wisdom of the tech startup ecosystem that entrepreneurs should Blitzscale out of the gate. Written by Sramana Mitra, the Founder and CEO of One Million by One Million (1Mby1M), the world’s first global virtual accelerator, it emphatically argues that a better strategy is to Bootstrap First, Raise Money Later, focus on customers, revenues and profits. 1Mby1M’s mission is to help a Million entrepreneurs reach a million dollars in annual revenue and beyond. Sramana’s Digital Mind AI Mentor virtually mentors entrepreneurs around the world in 57 languages. Try it out!

Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem is sophisticated, especially in fintech, blockchain, and hardware sectors. Programs like Cyberport, HKSTP, Betatron, Brinc, and corporate accelerators provide mentorship, funding, and real-world pilot opportunities. Yet, as The Accelerator Conundrum highlights, many traditional accelerators are episodic, time-bound, and focused on Demo Day success rather than building sustainable, revenue-generating businesses.

Startup Hong Kong: Local Accelerators: Pros, Cons, and Comparison to 1Mby1M

The Accelerator Conundrum is a multipart series that challenges the prevailing wisdom of the tech startup ecosystem that entrepreneurs should Blitzscale out of the gate. Written by Sramana Mitra, the Founder and CEO of One Million by One Million (1Mby1M), the world’s first global virtual accelerator, it emphatically argues that a better strategy is to Bootstrap First, Raise Money Later, focus on customers, revenues and profits. 1Mby1M’s mission is to help a Million entrepreneurs reach a million dollars in annual revenue and beyond. Sramana’s Digital Mind AI Mentor virtually mentors entrepreneurs around the world in 57 languages. Try it out!

Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem is finance- and tech-centric, with programs like Cyberport, HKSTP, Betatron, Brinc, and corporate accelerators by HSBC or Cathay Pacific offering mentorship, funding, and pilot opportunities. Yet, as my The Accelerator Conundrum series consistently shows, accelerators are tools, not solutions. Founders must understand their strengths and limitations to build sustainable, scalable businesses.

Startup Hong Kong: The Philosophy of Startup Acceleration – Why a New Model is Necessary

The Accelerator Conundrum is a multipart series that challenges the prevailing wisdom of the tech startup ecosystem that entrepreneurs should Blitzscale out of the gate. Written by Sramana Mitra, the Founder and CEO of One Million by One Million (1Mby1M), the world’s first global virtual accelerator, it emphatically argues that a better strategy is to Bootstrap First, Raise Money Later, focus on customers, revenues and profits. 1Mby1M’s mission is to help a Million entrepreneurs reach a million dollars in annual revenue and beyond. Sramana’s Digital Mind AI Mentor virtually mentors entrepreneurs around the world in 57 languages. Try it out!

Hong Kong has long been Asia’s financial hub. Its strategic location, global investor network, and sophisticated legal infrastructure make it an attractive destination for startups. Yet, despite this, Hong Kong faces unique entrepreneurial challenges. Many accelerators focus heavily on financial services, fintech, and investor visibility, but fall short in helping startups build sustainable, revenue-generating businesses.

Colors: Window V

I’m publishing this series on LinkedIn called Colors to explore a topic that I care deeply about: the Renaissance Mind. I am just as passionate about entrepreneurship, technology, and business, as I am about art and culture. In this series, I will typically publish a piece of art – one of my paintings – and I request you to spend a minute or two deeply meditating on it. I urge you to watch your feelings, thoughts, reactions to the piece, and write what comes to you, what thoughts it triggers, in the dialog area. Let us see what stimulation this interaction yields. For today – Window V

Window V | Sramana Mitra, 2023 | Watercolor, Ink, Pastel | 9 x 12, On Paper

Bootstrapping an EdTech Startup with a Paycheck to over $5M: Karyn Koven, CEO of LanguageBird (Part 6)

Sramana Mitra: Is each instructor doing this individually, or have you built AI into your training and systems?

Karyn Koven: Absolutely. Over the past year, we’ve been developing our own platform that integrates all these AI and tech features. It includes scheduling, curriculum customization, evaluation tools, and more. The goal is to bring everything into one platform for a seamless experience.

Sramana Mitra: What kind of revenue level are you operating at right now?