A common question circulating in the minds of many entrepreneurs in the Asia Pacific is: “Which is a better place for startups—Hong Kong or Singapore?” Answers vary depending on who you ask.

Ray Wu, program manager of JFDI, would heartily say Singapore, the birthplace of The Joyful Frog Digital Incubator. Wu’s laidback and comical personality warmed up The Hive last week as he delved into the lifestyle of Singapore as well as the JFDI accelerator program. A 100 day commitment to live in Singapore and learn how to pitch in front of valuable investors may sound brutal to some, but to those willing to accelerate their startup see it as a great opportunity.

It all begins with a good pitch, one of the main aims of JFDI. Wu broke down the dynamics of a solid pitch into ten easy steps, from problem to vision, demonstrating the importance of communicating ideas to investors. Funders want to see a scalable business, something that can produce an income in a predictable fashion over a short amount of time. JFDI not only perfects pitches and introduces entrepreneurs to investors but also connects with each participant on a more personal level. Wu stressed the importance of getting to know the person behind the idea because this added element can strengthen the interest others have in the startup.  With 60 percent of startups funded after graduation from the program, JFDI creates an environment where ideas are welcomed and pursued.

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