Tell Me Your Startup Idea, I'll Tell You My Feedback
Are you a student or recent graduate in Singapore with a startup idea — or hoping to come up with one? This event, in collaboration with Alibaba Cloud, is for you.
You’ll learn how to tell if a startup idea is promising and use a practical framework you can apply to your own ideas. You’ll also have the chance to share your idea live and get personalised, real-time feedback from Hsu Ken Ooi, Managing Partner at Iterative and former founder of a company acquired by eBay (and a YC alum 👀).
We’re co-hosting this event with Alibaba Cloud, who shares our mission to support the next generation of founders.
What You'll Gain
Get Personalised Feedback - Share your idea live and hear what Hsu Ken thinks — what’s working, what’s not, and how to think about the idea moving forward.
Learn How to Evaluate Ideas - Some ideas sound great but won’t work. Some seem boring but are wildly promising. Learn how to tell the difference, and apply it to your own.
Advice from an Experienced Founder - You probably have lots of ideas, but aren't sure what to do next. Hsu Ken’s been exactly where you are. He’ll help you think through what to focus on and what your next steps could be.
Who Should Join
Students with Idea - You’ve got something in the works — even if it’s still rough. Great, bring it.
Recent Graduates - You’ve recently graduated and are working on a startup or exploring one.
Students or Graduates Curious About Starting - No idea yet? That’s okay. This is the perfect place to learn how to spot (and shape) a good one.
Agenda
6:30pm - 6:40pm - Introduction
6:40pm - 7:15pm - HK's moderated session, including Q&A
7:15pm - 8:30pm - Live feedback session
8:30pm - 9:00pm - Mingle
Format
Choose to join as a participant or an observer.
The first 35 minutes will be a moderated session where Hsu Ken shares how to evaluate startup ideas. Then, we’ll dive into a live feedback session.
If you’re a participant, you’ll be called on to share your idea live. You’ll have 1 minute to clearly explain the problem and your solution in 1–2 sentences each. Be ready — the clearer you are, the more helpful the feedback.
Define Your Idea: Use our Define Your Startup Idea Worksheet to shape your startup idea.
Add Your Idea to the Registration Form: Make sure to include your startup idea when you sign up.
If you’re an observer, you’ll watch the full session — both Hsu Ken’s talk and the live feedback. You won’t be sharing, but trust us: you’ll still learn a lot. (Though we think there’s even more value in participating!)
Extra Notes
Students or Recent Grads - We want to prioritise students and recent graduates, which is why the event is on an approval-basis. If you don't fall into the audience, please feel free to register anyway and we'll email you if there are additional seats.
Light Bites - Light F&B will be provided, and there are water and soft drink dispensers available on-site.
Speaker
Hsu Ken Ooi is a Managing Partner at Iterative. He was previously the Chief Product Officer of Workmate, an on-demand blue-collar staffing platform in Southeast Asia. In 2014, he was VP of Product at Weave (YCS14). In 2009, he started Decide.com an early machine-learning company that predicted the future price of consumer goods. It was acquired by eBay in 2013.
About Iterative
Iterative is a YC-style accelerator focused exclusively on Southeast Asia. Iterative invests up to US500K in a batch of startups twice a year. The investment includes 3-months of targeted growth and fundraising support, which culminates in a Demo Day to a network of 400+ investors. Learn more here.
About Iterative Startup Academy
Iterative was founded in 2020 for founders, by founders. Our mission is to increase the GDP of Southeast Asia through entrepreneurship. To make this happen, we need to (1) make entrepreneurship more accessible to more people and (2) give founders the tools and support to be successful.
As part of this mission, Startup Academy hosts free events, programs and courses on everything you need to know to be a successful founder.
Partners
We're excited to partner with these companies for this event.
Our Co-Host
About Alibaba Cloud
Alibaba Cloud, founded in 2009, is a global leader in cloud computing and artificial intelligence, providing services to thousands of enterprises, startups, developers, and government organizations in more than 200 countries and regions. Alibaba Cloud supports entrepreneurs through its Startup Catalyst Program - where startups can receive Alibaba Cloud credits; technical, product, and business support; access to educational training via the Alibaba Cloud Academy; and tap into Alibaba Cloud’s global network of events, investors, and clients.
Our Community Partner
About Business Innovations Generator (BIG)
Tailored for early-stage startups to jumpstart their business ideas and foster creativity, SMU IIE’s flagship incubation programme -Business Innovations Generator (BIG) offers startups an intensive four-month coaching programme. It is designed to help early-stage founders validate their product and get ready for seed investment. Aligned with IIE’s objectives of nurturing the entrepreneurial mindset and fostering a vibrant community of innovators, BIG accepts early-stage start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs including those who are not affiliated with SMU, and takes no equity from its startups.
The BIG Incubation Programme accepts and runs 2 cohorts a year in January and August. Startups can send in their applications at any time and if selected, will be invited to pitch at BIG’s intake panel in the preceding months of January and July for the 2 cohorts respectively. Applications should come in at least a month before the commencement of intake panel sessions. Apply here: https://iie.smu.edu.sg/big