If you are searching for Iterative funding, you are looking at the accelerator that built a Y Combinator-style machine exclusively for Southeast Asia. Iterative is a Singapore-based accelerator founded in 2020 by Hsu Ken Ooi and Brian Ma, two startup founders with deep Y Combinator experience. Understanding how to get funding from Iterative is therefore essential reading for any early-stage founder in the region.
Iterative funding: thesis and programme
Iterative's thesis is simple: Southeast Asia has no shortage of capital or founder hustle, but it lacks enough experienced operators to guide young companies to their first major milestone. The accelerator invests at the earliest stage, works intensively with each team for three months, and helps them prepare to raise their first or second round. The programme culminates in a Demo Day in Singapore and San Francisco, reaching more than 400 investors. Two batches run every year, and the 13th batch drew more than 1,000 applications and over 500 hours of founder interviews.
The founders' operator DNA runs through the programme: between them they started Decide, Weave and Divvy Homes, raising over $100 million, selling two companies and turning the third into a unicorn. Hsu Ken co-founded Decide.com (acquired by eBay) and served as VP of Product at Weave (YCS14) and Chief Product Officer at Workmate.
Cheque size and fund scale
At launch, Iterative invested $150K upon admission into every accepted startup. That figure has grown: as of 2026, Iterative plans to invest up to $500,000 in each participating startup. The firm has closed three funds totalling $130 million and, according to its own figures, has invested in 191 companies since 2020. The pre-seed and seed stage is the sweet spot, and sectors span AI, fintech, the creator economy, logistics and education technology.
The portfolio reflects a 2026 pivot towards "AI-fluent founders". Recent cohort companies include Moneta (AI credit underwriting), Paypers (AI finance team for SMEs), Pensieve, Taama (AI compliance), SobelAI, Synscribe and Udifine. Stated areas of interest include AI for logistics, fintech and education, plus AI roll-ups of traditional businesses.
Partners and team
The partnership is led by Hsu Ken Ooi, Co-founder and Managing Partner, alongside co-founder Brian Ma. The wider team and visiting partners include operators from across the region's leading startups — for example, visiting partner Jessica Chao, who leads healthcare investments at Iterative — and the firm runs a public podcast and founder-story series sharing practical fundraising and product advice.
How to apply for funding
Iterative accepts applications through an online application form on its official website at iterative.vc. Applications open ahead of each of the two annual batches; founders submit details of their business model, team, market and traction, and selected teams are invited for interviews before the three-month programme begins. There is no published credit or perks programme; the value on offer is the capital, the intensive operator-led support, and the Demo Day investor network.
Why it matters for founders
For Southeast Asian founders, Iterative is the closest thing to a regional Y Combinator — up to $500K at entry, operator-founders who have actually sold companies, and a Demo Day that reaches both Singapore and San Francisco investors. Competition is fierce, with over a thousand applications per batch, so apply with traction, a clear AI angle, and a crisp narrative about the milestone you want to hit in twelve weeks.