EdTech Accelerators in Asia: 11 Programmes and Investors for Education Startups
Asia has the biggest student populations in the world, but EdTech founders there still sell to slow buyers: ministries, school chains, universities and parents who want proof that a product helps children learn. The programmes worth your time give you more than mentoring: access to schools, distribution partners, evidence of learning gains and investors who understand education. This guide lists 11 accelerators, EdTech programmes and early-stage investors for education startups in Asia, from Singapore and India to Tokyo, Seoul and the Gulf, with what each one offers according to its own website. We checked every programme on its official page in November 2026, wrote passed deadlines as passed, and moved closed, renamed and off-topic programmes from the old lists to a short note at the end.
Quick answer: the EdTech-only programmes are EduSpaze (Singapore, up to S$500K for a small equity stake), SuperCharger Ventures (Singapore hub, with its C.XSEED programme for the Saudi market) and the WISE EdTech Accelerator (Qatar Foundation, open to founders from anywhere in Asia). Indian founders working on school learning should follow ShikshaNext. If your product is built on AI, the equity-free Google for Startups Accelerator runs in Southeast Asia, India, Singapore, Japan and Korea; for a first cheque, look at Antler, Surge by Peak XV or Techstars Tokyo.
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EdTech Accelerators in Asia at a Glance
Sources: each programme's official website, checked November 2026. Amounts and terms are quoted as the programmes publish them; where a page does not state terms, we leave them out.
Accelerators and Programmes Built for EdTech
1. EduSpaze (Singapore)
EduSpaze calls itself Singapore's first EdTech accelerator. It is part of Spaze Ventures, was launched in 2019 and is supported by Enterprise Singapore. Startups get a three-month programme customised to them, seed funding of up to S$500K for a small equity stake based on their valuation, Educators-in-Residence who check the pedagogy, and access to a regional network of schools, universities and investors. Its news page shows the 10th cohort (seven startups) joining in March 2025, a partnership with the YCAB Foundation on EdTech in Indonesia in April 2025, and an EdTech Challenge with Temasek Foundation. No newer cohort was announced at the time of writing, so check the apply page before you prepare an application.
2. SuperCharger Ventures (Singapore hub, C.XSEED in Saudi Arabia)
SuperCharger Ventures runs what it calls one of the world's leading EdTech accelerators, with hubs in Malta, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and Rwanda. Its own figures: 200+ startups accelerated, $180M portfolio value and founders from 50+ nationalities. For Asian founders the newest option is C.XSEED, which it describes as Saudi Arabia's first EdTech venture builder, run with the learning platform Classera and the investor network Falak. It lasts six months: three months of localisation (Arabic versions, local pricing, integration into Classera's platform and Saudi incorporation) and three months of go-to-market with a roadshow in Riyadh and Jeddah. The pilot programme took 10 startups, selected from 265 applicants. SuperCharger also runs Cohort.x, an eight-week online accelerator for fundraising that founders anywhere in Asia can join.
3. WISE EdTech Accelerator (Qatar Foundation, open worldwide)
The WISE EdTech Accelerator of the World Innovation Summit for Education (Qatar Foundation) takes for-profit EdTech startups at seed to pre-Series A stage from anywhere, with an International Track and a Qatar-focused Local Track. It is a year-long programme with one-to-one coaching, masterclasses, 100+ hours of coaching and mentoring, three in-person bootcamps at major education conferences and a presentation at the WISE Summit in Doha. WISE counts 54+ alumni ventures and says the programme has a 5% acceptance rate. Applications for the 2026-2027 cycle closed on 31 October 2026; WISE plans to announce 4 to 6 startups in December 2026 or early January 2027, and the programme runs from January to December 2027.
4. ShikshaNext EdTech Accelerator (India)
ShikshaNext is a three-year, Rs 170 crore initiative launched in February 2026 at the India AI Impact Summit to improve learning for children from underserved communities with EdTech and AI. It is anchored by Reliance Foundation and the Gates Foundation, with Central Square Foundation and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and has three programmes: EdTech ScaleX for proven solutions, an EdTech Accelerator for high-quality EdTech and AI products built for Indian classrooms, and an EdTech & AI Innovation Hub. It aims to reach more than 13 million children by 2029. According to Entrepreneur India, the first 11 solutions, six of them in the accelerator, were announced in September 2026. It is a philanthropic programme, not an equity investor.
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General Accelerators and Investors That Take EdTech Startups in Asia
5. Google for Startups Accelerator (Southeast Asia, India, Singapore, Japan, Korea)
Google Launchpad is now the Google for Startups Accelerator, and its Asian programmes focus on startups that use AI, which includes many EdTech products. It runs separate accelerators for Southeast Asia, India, Singapore, Japan and Korea. The Southeast Asia accelerator is a three-month, equity-free, hybrid programme for Seed to Series B startups, with a bootcamp in Singapore and a technical bootcamp in San Francisco; applications for the 2026 cohort closed on 20 June 2026, with graduation and Demo Day scheduled for 10 and 11 November 2026. Its alumni list includes EdTech companies such as Edmicro, Pahamify and Bluente. The India accelerator is three months, equity-free, for 10 to 15 AI-first startups per cohort; its applications closed on 19 April 2026 for the June to September 2026 programme.
6. Antler (Singapore, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam)
Antler backs founders at day zero, solo or in a team, and runs in Singapore, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam. In Singapore it invests $150,000 for 10% after a six-week, full-time residency ($100,000 for 10% plus $50,000 on an uncapped SAFE), and up to $400,000 at inception, with no participation fee. The latest Singapore residency started on 5 October 2026 and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
7. Surge by Peak XV (India and Southeast Asia)
Surge is the seed programme of the venture firm Peak XV. It invests from $500k up to $5M in seed capital and adds hands-on support in hiring, product, policy, communications, engineering, go-to-market and global expansion. Peak XV has offices in India, Singapore, the US and the UAE. Its portfolio includes Skillmatics, which makes educational products and games that build core skills in children.
8. Techstars Tokyo
Techstars Tokyo is the only Techstars accelerator listed in Asia today; it is run with Mitsui Fudosan and JETRO Startup. It is a three-month accelerator that invests $120,000 (for 5% plus the future value of a $100,000 SAFE, or J-KISS). It is sector-agnostic with a particular interest in deep tech, fintech and climate tech, so EdTech founders need a strong tech angle. The current programme started on 17 August 2026 after a 6 May 2026 deadline, and its Demo Day was scheduled for 10 November 2026.
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9. Y Combinator (San Francisco, open to Asian founders)
Y Combinator invests $500,000 in every company it accepts: $125,000 on a post-money SAFE for 7% and $375,000 on an uncapped SAFE with a most favoured nation clause. The three-month batch takes place in person in San Francisco, so the old claim of a YC programme in Shenzhen is out of date. YC says companies can be incorporated in the US, Canada, the Cayman Islands or Singapore, which suits many Southeast Asian founders.
10. SparkLabs (Seoul)
SparkLabs is a Korean accelerator that runs a bootcamp of about two weeks and a main programme of more than 15 weeks, ending in a Demo Day. It typically invests at least KRW 100 million for about 6% equity, and applications open for about six weeks each April and September. EdTech is not named in its sector list, but the list ends with "and more".
11. Open Network Lab (Tokyo)
Open Network Lab calls itself Japan's first seed accelerator. It started in April 2010, is part of the Digital Garage group, takes seed and early-stage startups in all sectors and counts 167 startups supported. Applications for its 32nd batch closed on 28 September 2026; the 31st batch held its Demo Day in September 2026.
Removed From the Old Lists and What Changed
The 2025 versions of this article (top 10, top 15, top 20 and top 25 lists) included programmes that have ended, changed, are based outside Asia or could not be found. We removed these:
- JFDI.Asia: its website says it is no longer actively investing in new startups; its bootcamps ran from 2012 to 2015.
- Google Launchpad Accelerator: now the Google for Startups Accelerator (number 5); the old claim about Byju's had no source and was removed.
- 500 Startups: now 500 Global; its website lists no accelerator programme in Asia. Techstars Hong Kong and India: only Techstars Tokyo is listed in Asia now.
- Startupbootcamp: no EdTech programme; its only Asian offer is SBC Expand, a market-entry programme for Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan.
- Alchemist Accelerator: now a venture firm for deeply technical founders selling to enterprises. SOSV Chinaccelerator and MOX: SOSV now focuses on deep tech (HAX and other programmes).
- Zeroth.AI and BLOCK71: the websites in the old lists return an error page. Brinc: lists no education programme. Seedstars: its site shows only 2020 local competitions in Asia.
- 9Unicorns: its website now redirects to 100Unicorns.
- xEdu, Emerge Education and Startup Wise Guys: European programmes; they are in our list of EdTech accelerators in Europe. EduGrowth is Australia's EdTech industry hub, not an Asian accelerator.
- Imagine H2O Asia and Fintech Innovation Lab Asia-Pacific: water and fintech programmes, not EdTech. HolonIQ: a market intelligence company whose EdTech lists are rankings, not an accelerator. Kaizen Institute: a consultancy.
- Wavemaker Partners, SeedPlus, Innov8 and Alps Ventures: venture investors, not accelerators; see our list of early-stage VCs in Asia.
- GSVlabs, Bolt, Nassi, S accelerator, EdTech Asia, Next Level, Transcend, The Venture City, Blackbox VC, ACCELO, Zhang Entrepreneurship Test, Taikoo Place, EdTech Scale Up and Digital Garage as a separate entry: we could not find an official page that confirms a current Asian EdTech accelerator under these names (Digital Garage's accelerator is Open Network Lab, number 11).
We also replaced the old programme lengths and investment terms with what each website publishes now, or left them out when they are not published. Surge is listed under its current owner, Peak XV.
Which EdTech Accelerator in Asia Should You Choose?
- You want a programme that only works with EdTech: EduSpaze in Singapore, SuperCharger Ventures or the WISE EdTech Accelerator.
- You sell to schools in Southeast Asia: EduSpaze, with its Educators-in-Residence and school network.
- You want to enter Saudi Arabia and the Gulf: C.XSEED (distribution through Classera) or the WISE Local Track in Qatar.
- You build learning tools for Indian public schools: follow ShikshaNext and its EdTech Accelerator.
- Your product is built on AI and you want to keep your equity: the Google for Startups Accelerator in your region.
- You need a first cheque: Antler at day zero; Surge, Techstars Tokyo, SparkLabs or Y Combinator once you have a product and early users.
- You are in Japan: Techstars Tokyo or Open Network Lab.
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How EdTech Founders in Asia Use Accelerators
Most EdTech founders combine a few of these: an EdTech programme to test the product with real teachers and learners, a grant or philanthropic programme to pay for pilots, then an accelerator or a specialist investor once schools, parents or companies are paying. Start with our list of EdTech startup grants, and if you are a woman founder, the grants for women entrepreneurs in Asia and the accelerators for female entrepreneurs. Compare general programmes in our list of startup incubators in Asia; if your product is built on AI, read the accelerators for AI startups too. When you are ready to raise, the EdTech VC firms list names the specialist investors, and you can meet buyers and investors at the top EdTech startup events. Expanding beyond Asia? See the EdTech grants in North America and the best countries for EdTech startups in South America, and for a local view of one Asian ecosystem, our Bangkok startups to watch. Before you apply anywhere, validate your startup idea with real teachers or learners.
FAQ About EdTech Accelerators in Asia
What is an EdTech accelerator?
A programme for education technology startups that combines mentoring and often investment with things education buyers care about: pedagogy advice, school or ministry pilots, distribution partners and evidence of learning gains. EduSpaze, SuperCharger Ventures and the WISE EdTech Accelerator work only with EdTech; general accelerators such as Antler or Techstars Tokyo also take EdTech startups.
Which is the best EdTech accelerator in Asia?
For an EdTech-only programme based in Asia, EduSpaze in Singapore is the most established, with ten cohorts by March 2025. SuperCharger Ventures is strongest for the Saudi market through C.XSEED, and the WISE EdTech Accelerator in Qatar is open to founders from any country.
How much does EduSpaze invest?
EduSpaze says it offers seed funding of up to S$500K for a small equity stake, based on your valuation, together with a three-month acceleration programme.
Which accelerators in Asia do not take equity?
The Google for Startups Accelerator says its programmes in Southeast Asia and India are equity-free. ShikshaNext is a philanthropic programme. Investors such as Antler (10% for $150,000), Techstars Tokyo and Y Combinator take equity.
Can startups from Asia apply to the WISE EdTech Accelerator?
Yes. The International Track is open to seed to pre-Series A EdTech startups from anywhere. Applications for the 2026-2027 cycle closed on 31 October 2026, and the programme runs from January to December 2027.
Is Google Launchpad still running?
It now runs as the Google for Startups Accelerator. In Asia there are separate programmes for Southeast Asia, India, Singapore, Japan and Korea, all aimed at startups using AI.
Is there an EdTech accelerator in India?
ShikshaNext, launched in February 2026 by Reliance Foundation, the Gates Foundation, Central Square Foundation and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, has an EdTech Accelerator for products built for Indian classrooms. Indian EdTech founders can also apply to Surge by Peak XV, Antler India or the Google for Startups Accelerator: India.
Does Y Combinator still run a programme in China?
No. YC's batches take place in person in San Francisco. It invests $500,000 in every company it accepts, and Asian founders can apply from anywhere.
Why are some accelerators from the old list missing?
We removed programmes that stopped (JFDI.Asia), changed focus or name (Alchemist, SOSV's Asian programmes, 500 Startups, 9Unicorns), are based in Europe or Australia (xEdu, EduGrowth), are not EdTech accelerators (HolonIQ, Imagine H2O) or that we could not confirm on an official page. Can we feature your EdTech programme? We publish content about startups, education and funding, so get in touch through the guest post offer above.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
