The WealthTech accelerator you've been waiting for

Get direct market access to the US, generate revenue and sales growth, access AI tech.
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Bridging the Chasm between Singapore and the US Market

First Rate Connect is a venture accelerator in Singapore. We are backed by our parent company First Rate (US), and launched in partnership with Enterprise Singapore. We offer an outcomes-driven 14 week program through our focus on sales and go-to-market strategy. Our goal is to help FinTechs de-risk business expansion into new territories, through serving as a channel partner to directly connect our cohort to qualified prospects from our own customer base in the US, consisting of 500+ Financial Institutions.

We believe that sustainable business growth stems from effective sales strategies, not just continuous fundraising. Leveraging our deep industry expertise and extensive US customer base, we are uniquely positioned to bridge the chasm between Singapore startups and the US market.

Our focus areas

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WealthTech
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FinTech
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ESG FinTech
How it works


What to expect from our program

1. Application period - 8 Weeks


FinTechs that are ready for expansion regionally and in the US

3-round interview process.

2. Market Fit Analysis - 4 Weeks


Masterclasses (1.5h ea) on US and regional market insights, US Business Development Expansion logistics and incorporation options

1-1 Consultative design with First Rate Managing Directors and Executive Ambassadors for Market Fit Analysis spanning from competitor analysis to customer validation

3. Go-To-Market Strategy - 10 Weeks


Customer-driven development with detailed roadmap to go-to-market regionally and in the US

Venture and funding opportunities

Industry exposure via regional and US demo day

4. Post-program support - Ongoing


Lead generation best practices

Venture/capital funding assistance

Continual tech support from First Rate

5. Next cohort intake


why first rate
Features

Why First Rate Connect?

We do things a bit differently from other accelerators.

Access Real Customer Feedback

Gain access to current pain points, problem statements, and opportunities identified by local, regional, and US-based FIs in WealthTech and ESG FinTech sectors.

Validate your business model through First Rate for sustainable growth and expansion into global markets.

1-1 Office Hours in Our Program

Our accelerator is not curriculum-driven. We understand founders are busy!

Over 14 weeks, expect engagement on a needs basis to co-create a Market Fit Analysis of your product, and GTM strategy together with First Rate.

Reduced Lead Time in Enterprise Sales Cycle

Typical sales cycles last on average 24 months, including compliance and due diligence checks on tech vendors. By being part of the established First Rate ecosystem, startups can expect to cut down the sales cycle by more than half.

Technical Support for Product Development

Receive product and technical support from our First Rate network to quickly build a product that meets institutional standards of FIs in the US. We ensure product development is centred around customer needs.

Facilitation of Investment Opportunities

Engage in networking through demo days with FIs and access capital investment opportunities through our extensive network.
Features

Our ecosystem of enablers

We help startups like yours to scale revenue and maximize business opportunities.
First Rate Ecosystem

Meet our partners

Meet our team

John Choi
John Choi
Managing Director
Charis Chia
Charis Chia
Program Manager
Elysia Chan
Elysia Chan
Program Manager
Isaac Ong
Isaac Ong
Marketing Lead

Strategic Advisors and Executive Ambassadors

Fast-Tracking Your Go-to-Market Strategy with Industry Veterans
Charles Wong
Charles Wong
Chairman at Prive Technologies
Charles Wong is an expert in WealthTech and Asset Management Tech, with extensive experience in strategy formulation, partnership development, and business growth. Previously a Managing Director at JP Morgan, he now leads strategic initiatives at Privé Technologies, a firm backed by UBS and Blackrock. Charles holds degrees from MIT and advises startups in insurtech, HR Tech, and AI.
Nayan Madhamshettiwar
Managing Director at First Rate
Nayan is a leader in digital transformation and FinTech with 20+ years of experience, including a decade in wealth management. He leads a team delivering AI-driven strategies, portfolio performance measurement, and data aggregation tools for financial firms. Nayan's expertise includes AI-based investment strategies, risk-adjusted returns, and automated services like portfolio rebalancing. A recognized thought leader, he was named Fintech Person of the Year in 2024.
Alex Serman
Managing Director at First Rate
Alex has over 8 years of experience in client facing roles in the performance and reporting industry. At First Rate Wealth and Institutional, Alex has assisted his clients with enhancing their investment reporting capabilities through AI/ML solutions, composite management, among other endeavours. The team support over $1.6 trillion AUR across First Rate’s client base with unique performance needs such as alternative assets, detailed fixed income reporting.
Marshall Smith
Marshall Smith
Managing Director at First Rate Ventures
Marshall is an experienced operator and investor with 15+ years focused in the WealthTech space.  With a focus on customer centric solution design, lean startup and preference of winning sales over pitch contests, his focus is on hitting your sales numbers and keeping a tight eye on your P&L.
Sabine Adams
Managing Director at First Rate
As the Managed Hosting Director for First Rate, Sabine is dedicated to building resilient, scalable, and secure hosting environments that enable businesses to thrive in the digital landscape. By fostering strong teams and cultivating collaborative partnerships, clients receive tailored solutions that align with their evolving needs. Whether overseeing complex migrations, optimizing performance, or spearheading new service offerings, the team takes a results-oriented approach to navigating the dynamic challenges of Managed Hosting.
Joshia Kwa
Joshia Kwa
Principal at Integra Partners
Joshia partners with tech entrepreneurs to improve financial services and digital healthcare in South and Southeast Asia. His work includes engaging with founders, investors, and partners, researching trends, conducting due diligence on startups, and collaborating on portfolio projects.
Jinesh Patel
Jinesh Patel
Managing Partner at Integra Partners
With 25 years of investment experience in Asia Pacific in both public and private markets, Jinesh has built an extensive network of connections with government agencies, technology leaders and emerging entrepreneurs in the venture ecosystem. The early half of his career was spent in the investment banking divisions of Goldman Sachs and UBS before switching over to investment management in 2006.
Sharon Lim
Sharon Lim
Partner at Venture Synergist
Sharon Lim is a business visionary with 30+ years building ventures across a variety of industries. She is committed to facilitating positive change by developing sustainable businesses with strong business models that deliver ESG impact. Sharon shares her venture-building expertise with the social impact ecosystem across Asia Pacific.
Carl Thong
Carl Thong
Founder at Sunstone Group
Carl, founder of Sunstone Group, leads businesses across diverse sectors including consumer products, healthcare, and tech. He co-founded Restart Bank and BankingON. With deep industry insights, Carl enhances organizational performance through capability-building and strategic consulting. He has advised top MNCs and NGOs like UBS, Citibank, and Roche, and served on boards including Trustbridge Global and Family First Global.
Lynette Lee
Lynette Lee
Sustainability and FinTech Leader
As a Sustainability Ambassador with expertise in both sustainability impact and sustainable finance, Lynette drives impactful initiatives within the space across industries. She focuses on advancing ESG integration standards and fostering ecosystem collaborations that set new benchmarks for sustainable business practices.
Moses Lim
Moses Lim
Group Growth Director at Green Eco Technologies
Moses is a socially impact-driven entrepreneur, founder, and advisor. Passionate about creating positive change, he focuses on fostering the growth and strategic development of start-ups, steering them from initiation to the growth phase through investment and advisory roles.
Jeremy Soh
Jeremy Soh
Vice President at BEENEXT
Jeremy is a seasoned venture capital professional currently serving as Vice President at BEENEXT, an early stage venture investment firm supporting founders across Southeast Asia, India, and Japan. He has previously worked at Qualgro Partners and Philips Ventures. Jeremy is also currently mentoring and advising social enterprises through Bridges for Enterprise.
Victoria Sanchez
Victoria Sanchez
Entrepreneur, Strategic Advisor and Seasoned Banker
Victoria is a seasoned banker and her expertise spans across Fintech, Greentech, Agetech and Healthtech.  In addition to her extensive banking career, she serves as strategic advisor for an ESG governance startup and is also an entrepreneur, managing her own startups.  Victoria is a strong believer in having a voice, sharing knowledge and educating the wider ecosystem.
Chris Yeo
Chris Yeo
Co-Founder at Digital Mission Ventures
Chris is Co-founder of Digital Mission Ventures, focused on advancing a redemptive tech ecosystem in Southeast Asia by supporting Christian tech founders. As CEO of DOKU, a prominent payments fintech, he drives innovation in Indonesia and Malaysia. Previously, Chris held senior leadership roles at Grab, PayPal, Boston Consulting Group, Arthur D. Little, and Singapore Airlines.
Jeevan Gnanam
Serial Entrepreneur, Angel Investor and Data Scientist
Jeevan Gnanam is a visionary angel investor and entrepreneur, known for driving innovation in Sri Lanka’s startup ecosystem. As a former SLASSCOM Chairman, he championed transformative initiatives like the AI Asia Summit. His latest venture, Digital Realty, developed Sri Lanka’s first TIA942-Rated 3 certified data center, offering advanced cloud solutions. A passionate advocate for social impact, Jeevan is also a brand ambassador for World Vision.

Are you ready to get mentored, receive funding, and go global?

Apply to the First Rate Connect Fall 2024 Cohort.
Contact us
connect@firstrate.com