Serbian startups now have a unique opportunity to expand into Asian markets through the NINJA Accelerator, a program organized by ICT Hub and the Digital Serbia Initiative, in collaboration with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This initiative, now in its second edition, provides domestic startups with expert mentorship and direct access to potential Asian investors and partners. The program focuses on scaling startups into international markets, especially in Japan and Southeast Asia.
Opportunity for Serbian Startups to Grow in Asia
The NINJA Accelerator is designed to assist Serbian startups in the intensive growth phase by helping them expand internationally. While many Serbian startups tend to focus on EU, US, and other Western markets, Asia often remains underexplored due to limited knowledge about the region’s vast potential. The NINJA Accelerator seeks to bridge this gap by guiding startups through the process of entering the Asian market.
Applications for the program are open until November 17, 2024, on the Digital Serbia Initiative website.
Yoshiaki Nagata, Assistant Resident Representative of JICA’s Balkans office, highlighted the program’s goal:
“JICA is committed to supporting economic development in Serbia and the Western Balkans through innovative projects. With the NINJA Accelerator, we aim to strengthen Serbian startups so they can better position themselves in international markets and form long-term partnerships in Asia.”
Mentorship, Networking, and Global Expansion
The ten-week program offers startups mentorship from international and domestic experts, workshops, and 1-on-1 consultations aimed at improving their readiness for international expansion. Startups will learn the best practices for entering Asian markets, along with strategies to grow their businesses from Serbia while connecting with Asian investors.
Tanja Kuzman, Director General of the Digital Serbia Initiative, emphasized the importance of this opportunity for Serbian startups:
“Internationalization is a key step for startups seeking global success. The second edition of the NINJA Accelerator will demonstrate to Serbian startups what is possible in Asia and how to access this market effectively. We want to empower them to succeed globally and build strong, lasting relationships with Asian partners.”
Kosta Andric, Executive Director of ICT Hub, highlighted the potential of the Asian market for Serbian startups:
“We are thrilled to provide startups with direct access to Asian investors and markets through this international cooperation. Asia offers a large user base with high technology adoption rates, presenting incredible opportunities for growth across various sectors.”
Demo Day and Future Opportunities
The program will conclude with a Demo Day in February 2025, where startups will pitch their projects to international investors and experts. The most successful startups will earn a chance to visit Japan and apply their newly acquired knowledge to expand their business in Asian markets.
The NINJA Accelerator is specifically designed for technology startups that are scaling globally and looking to expand their reach into Asia. Partners of this global initiative include ABeam Consulting Ltd. and the Japanese startup incubator, Tsucrea.
Applications are open until November 17, 2024, offering Serbian startups a rare chance to leverage mentorship, networking, and direct market access to fuel their growth in Asia.
