Thai startups get chance to hitch a ride with Grab

Launched in July last  year, Grab Ventures is Grab’s venture building and venture investments arm. 
Through GVV, Grab Ventures offers mentorship and access to the parent company’s vast customer base and technology assets, so that startups can test and scale their services via the Grab ecosystem.
Following the success of its first batch graduates from the GVV programme in January this year, applications for the second intake are open until May 15.
 Thailand has developed around 1,000 local startups and the country expects to have 10,000 of them by 2037. 
With GVV, Singapore-based Grab aims to take part in enhancing the incubation ecosystem for Thai startups, connecting them to strategic partners and investors, and forging deals or business matching between startups and Grab. 
This aligns with the government’s goal to create a digital hub in Thailand.
The theme for this second batch, which runs from June to August, is “Empowering Micro-Entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia”. 
Two programme tracks will open. The first is “Empower Farmers”, which includes innovative solutions that help farmers bring affordable, quality fresh groceries to customers across Southeast Asia.
The Empower Farmers track will select up to five  startups from Southeast Asia that are disrupting the traditional fresh-foods supply chain, which includes meats, fruits and vegetables. Startups supplying fresh groceries to SMEs (restaurants, grocery stores) or end-consumers are welcome to apply.
The second track, “Empower Small Businesses”, strives to discover startups that are pioneering innovative solutions to empower small merchants by lowering their costs, simplifying their operations or increasing their income. 
Startups in this track will pilot their solutions with Kudo’s agent network in Indonesia.
Participating startups for both tracks will have the opportunity to pilot their solutions within Grab’s ecosystem. 
In addition, startups will also get access to Grab’s internal and external network of C-level advisors and experts.  On the technology front, these startups will leverage GrabPlatform resources, such as cloud APIs, as well as Kudo resources, in order to accelerate their product development.
Tarin Thaniyavarn, country head of Grab Thailand, said that the Kingdom’s startup scene is growing at an interesting pace, particularly in the AgTech space. 
The Grab Ventures Velocity (GVV) programme is a great opportunity for Thai startups to scale and test their solutions through the Grab ecosystem, said Tarin.
“By piloting these innovative solutions in our comprehensive and interconnected ecosystem of everyday services ranging from transportation, food delivery, express delivery and financial services, we believe that this will not only allow startups to grow their businesses, but also benefit users and micro-entrepreneurs alike,” he said.