AppWorks Demo Day #31 Unveils Region’s Most Scalable AI, IoT & Web3 Startups as SEA Tech Enters New Growth Cycle

SINGAPORE, 27 November 2025AppWorks returns to Singapore with Demo Day #31, spotlighting 16 of the region’s highest-traction AI, IoT, Web3 and DePin startups, more than half led by repeat founders with deep operating experience. Hosted at Guoco Midtown Network Hub, the showcase reflects a major shift in Southeast Asia’s digital economy toward high-execution founders solving real-world problems with proven technologies and clear roadmaps towards profitability across fintech, mobility, health, industrial automation and infrastructure for decentralised finance.


Founders, partners, and mentors gathered for AppWorks Demo Day #31 in Singapore

A defining characteristic of this cohort is its operator depth: 54% of founders are repeat entrepreneurs, reflecting the region’s shift toward experienced builders with a track record of shipping, scaling and solving real problems in increasingly complex markets.

  1. AI and IoT Enter Real-World Deployment Across SEA

The Southeast Asia AI market is rapidly expanding with strong adoption across enterprises and SMEs. BCG estimates that AI could contribute up to USD 120 billion to regional GDP by 2027, driven by productivity gains across logistics, healthcare, finance, and infrastructure.In 2024, AI adoption among SMEs in Southeast Asia tripled from 4.2% to 14.5%, supported by a young, tech-savvy population and increasing investments in AI-ready data centers. Southeast Asia is poised to become a global AI powerhouse, with vibrant startup activity and growing collaboration between global tech leaders and local innovators accelerating ecosystem growth.

With 14 teams applying AI and IoT to commercial use cases, Demo Day #31 showcases how intelligence systems are being embedded directly into the operating fabric of Southeast Asia.

A standout example is Hivebotics (Singapore), a robotics company tackling labour shortages and operational inefficiencies across commercial cleaning and facilities management. Co-founded by Rishab Patwari and Tuan Dung, Hivebotics deploys autonomous restroom and building-cleaning robots powered by machine learning and workflow optimisation models. Hivebotics is already working with Changi Airport Group, ISS, Sodexo, Kintsugi Holdings, and Chaico Development (HK) Pte. Ltd. across Singapore, the UAE, the US, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, reflecting strong enterprise demand for automation amid labour constraints..

Another notable case is Fluid (Singapore), founded by Trasy Lou and Steven Li, is an AI B2B payments and embedded credit platform used by 3,000+ suppliers and buyers across Singapore and Malaysia. Powered by AI Finance Agents, Fluid automates reconciliation and collections while unifying underwriting and payments into a single flow, helping SMEs improve liquidity, reduce manual work, and get paid faster.

  1. Repeat Founders Strengthening Execution Readiness

A recent statistic from Bain’s e-Conomy SEA 2025 report highlights that Southeast Asia’s digital economy is projected to surpass USD 300 billion in gross merchandise value by 2025, supported by robust 15% year-on-year growth in key sectors like e-commerce, fintech, and AI. Despite funding headwinds, private tech investments have risen steadily, demonstrating resilience and execution readiness among startups.

This rising operator depth can be seen in ventures like Maibel (Singapore), a story-driven AI wellness companion designed specifically for women in Asia. Founder Mabel Loh previously built AMFIT Academy, a holistic women’s strength-training business with a 1.6K-strong community. 7 months in, Maibel’s early beta tests proved strong user stickiness. Across 100 users, the early MVP retention was triple the industry’s average. Maibel is currently in stealth mode, scaling into SEA post seed raise in June 2026.

Trainge (Taiwan) offers another case of mature operator execution. With 170+ paying gyms (including Anytime Fitness), 150K+ users, and 2,000+ verified trainers, Trainge has already achieved USD 2.5M in annual revenue in Taiwan and is now preparing for regional expansion into Singapore and Malaysia, where hybrid fitness adoption continues to grow.

This type of founder depth, operational experience, cross-industry pivoting, and cultural insight, reflects the rising calibre of founders in Southeast Asia’s next wave of tech innovation.

  1. Southeast Asia as the Primary Market

As Southeast Asia’s digital adoption accelerates, 12 startups in this cohort are building specifically for the region’s most urgent gaps, financial access, mobility, travel infrastructure, authentication, and digital services, while showing clear signals of revenue quality, regulatory understanding and cross-border scalability.”

Among them is Hata (Malaysia), founded in Malaysia by David Low, KK Chong and Darien Ng, a regulated digital asset exchange enabling fiat-to-crypto trading in both MYR and USD. With 200,000 registered users and USD 26 million in assets under custody, Hata is emerging as one of Malaysia’s most trusted compliant on-ramps for Web3 adoption.

Parkit (Malaysia), founded by Kyan Liew, is a high-growth SEA mobility operator tackling Malaysia’s persistent parking infrastructure inefficiencies. Beyond parking, Parkit now offers mobility solutions including insurance services, serving over 40,000 registered users with access to 300,000 daily MRT commuters using their infrastructure. With over 30,000 paying customers, and B2B clients like Samsung and Malaysia Mass Rapid Transit, Parkit has grown to generate USD 4M in annual revenue through a mix of enterprise and consumer channels.

Founded by KaKit Chen, LegitApp (Canada) is another start up gaining momentum with its AI-powered luxury authentication engine, which combines expert verification with automated precision. Now expanding into Southeast Asia, LegitApp processes 3,000 daily authentication checks for over 2 million users across platforms such as TikTok Shop and Carousell, generating USD 3M in annual revenue.

Also noteworthy is HeyMax (Singapore), founded by Joe Lu, is a traveller rewards aggregator tackling the region’s fragmented loyalty landscape. With over 150,000 users, and over 800 merchant partnerships with the likes of Japan Railways East, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Trip.com, KKDay, Amazon.sg, Octopus HK and Klook, HeyMax has achieved USD 6M ARR and 45,000 MAU, consolidating a fragmented rewards landscape for everyday travellers.

  1. A New Frontier for Web3 & DePin

Demo Day #31 also highlights a dynamic wave of Web3 and decentralised physical infrastructure (DePin) projects that move beyond speculation toward tangible real-world applications. These startups are pioneering next-gen infrastructure solutions that leverage blockchain and AI to unlock new efficiencies and accessibility in traditionally siloed industries.

Juic3 Labs (Taiwan), founded by Ramos Chang and RD Yu, is building self-balancing distributed battery networks designed to stabilise and decentralise future energy grids. The company has already secured three key energy partners across Battery, EPC, and EMS sectors, supporting 2.8MWh of battery capacity deployments across Taiwan. 

Meanwhile, Singular (Hong Kong), founded by Terrence Hooi, is democratising access to top-tier private equity through fractionalised on-chain investment infrastructure. With 55,000+ registered users, over USD 2 million processed, and a USD 200 million deal pipeline, Singular is opening institutional-grade opportunities, such as SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anduril, to a new generation of global investors through compliant Hong Kong structures.

Auki Labs (Hong Kong), founded by Nils Pihl and Santeri Aramo, is building the real world web, making physical spaces browsable, searchable and navigable to AI and robots. With over 1000 locations signed up, Auki is already making millions in ARR providing AI copilots for physical labor running on phones, smart glasses and robots, and is projecting 100,000 locations connected by the end of 2028.

These ventures underscore Southeast Asia’s growing role as a regional hub for pragmatic Web3 and DePin innovation, fueled by increasing regulatory clarity, investor interest, and the region’s innate suitability for decentralised infrastructure, given its young population, mobile penetration, and infrastructure gaps. 

According to McKinsey, Southeast Asia is attracting significant investments in digital infrastructure and blockchain technology, reflecting its leadership in Asia’s emerging tech economy. Backed by strong capital inflows and active startup ecosystems, the region has become a recognised hub for early-stage Web3 innovation and infrastructure investment.

Alyssa Chen, Principal of the Accelerator Arm, AppWorks said, “Founders in Southeast Asia are entering a more grounded, experience-driven phase, and this cohort reflects that shift. Many have built before, they understand customer pain points, cross-border realities, and what it takes to operationalise AI, IoT, and on-chain systems in the real world. Demo Day #31 is an opportunity for investors to meet operators already demonstrating real traction across the region.

“As we look toward AW#32, we’re especially supporting founders in three verticals shaping Asia’s next decade: Manufacturing AI, where Taiwan’s supply chain gives builders a real advantage; Defence Tech, where dual-use innovation is rapidly expanding; and On-Chain Banking, as financial infrastructure becomes increasingly programmable. No matter the specific product you’re building, AppWorks is a strategic partner for entering Taiwan and scaling across Asia.”

Across all cohorts, the AppWorks community now includes 653 active startups, founded by 2,086 entrepreneurs across markets such as Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and beyond. These companies have collectively raised US$7.3 billion, achieved a combined valuation of US$37.7 billion, and generated US$17.4 billion in annual revenues, while employing 28,256 people worldwide.

This continued expansion underscores the strength of AppWorks’ regional network and the growing maturity of Southeast Asia’s digital ecosystem. With new ties formed this year, including investment partnerships with KVIC (Korea Venture Investment Corp) and Jelawang in Malaysia, the community is deepening its cross-border capabilities and accelerating connectivity across Greater Southeast Asia.

Below is the full list of pitching teams showcased at AppWorks Demo Day #31 Singapore, representing some of the most driven and forward-looking builders in the region.

# Company Country/Market 1‑line description URL
1 HeyMax SG Traveller’s rewards aggregator. https://heymax.ai
2 Fluid SG AI-powered B2B payment platform with credit built in. https://www.gofluid.io/
3 Alpha Story SG Forecasting and executing on digital narratives 24-7. alphastory.co
4 Hivebotics SG AI-powered robot for commercial restroom and facility cleaning. www.hivebotics.tech
5 Maibel SG Story-driven AI wellness companion for women. https://www.maibel.com
6 Singular HK On-chain access to fractional shares in world-class private equity. https://singulardex.com
7 Hata MY A licensed Malaysian digital asset exchange for fiat-to-crypto trading in MYR and USD. https://hata.io/home
8 Parkit MY Smart parking infrastructure for property owners and businesses. www.parkitmy.com
9 Plandora SG Trusted travel plans with AI real creator twins. plandora.com
10 LegitApp CA Luxury authentication, built on expert analysis and AI precision https://legitapp.com/
11 Auki Labs HK AI copilots for physical spaces, running on the real-world web. www.auki.ai
12 Klipy HK AI executive secretary for high touch professionals. http://klipy.ai/
13 Adora JP AI app protecting kids from cyberbullying and online predators. https://www.adora-app.com/
14 Trainge TW All in one fitness platform for both individual and gyms trainge.com
15 AMMO UK AI powered community management. https://www.ammoai.io/
16 Juic3 Labs TW Self-balancing grid powered by distributed battery networks. https://juic3.xyz/

The AppWorks Accelerator FAQ (for founders applying to AW#32)

 

Founded in 2010 by Jamie Lin, AppWorks Accelerator is a startup community created by founders, for founders. 

Every six months, we welcome founders who are building on the edge of what’s possible – those pushing the boundaries of technology and creating what the world has yet to imagine. We equip them with the necessary resources, mentorship, and community to turn bold visions into lasting impact.  

We know there are many considerations for founders when applying to an accelerator. That’s why we’ve created an FAQ page to help you decide whether or not AppWorks is the right fit for your startup. 

As of November 2025, AppWorks Accelerator #32 is open for applications. You can find important information about the Accelerator experience on our main page.

The FAQs

1. What do I need to know before joining the accelerator? What is AppWorks doing to help founders make the most out of the accelerator?

We understand the unique needs and aspirations for founders, and we’re committed to providing an experience that’s both flexible and deeply supportive: 

  1. Tailored Events for Founders: No two founder journeys are alike — whether you’re just getting started, actively scaling, based in Taiwan, or operating from anywhere in the world, we’ve designed a flexible accelerator that blends online and offline experiences. You’ll have access to the resources, mentorship, and connections that best fit your unique path, ensuring that you get what you need, when and where you need it.
  2. A Pan-Asia Founder Network: Beyond flexibility, what truly sets AppWorks apart is our expansive presence across Asia. Our active founder and investor network now spans Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Korea, and Japan. Wherever you are, you’ll find peers, mentors, and partners who can share local insights, facilitate introductions, and open doors to new cross-border opportunities.
  3. Taiwan: Your Strategic Base for Innovation: Taiwan stands at the intersection of technology, manufacturing, and finance, making it an ideal base for founders building in AI, manufacturing, defense technology, and on-chain banking.

    Its world-class engineering talent, reliable manufacturing partners, and robust supply chain give startups the speed and stability to develop and scale products efficiently. Combined with an open, innovation-friendly environment and strong digital infrastructure, Taiwan provides everything you need to move from prototype to market with confidence.

    We encourage founders to join our in-person activities whenever possible. Face-to-face engagement within our community in Taiwan and across Asia builds deeper relationships, sharper insights, and opportunities that online meetings cannot fully replicate.

Your success is at the heart of what we do. We can’t wait to embark on this journey with you.

2. I already raised a Series A / I’m profitable, is AppWorks right for me?

The short answer is, yes!

The long answer is, reaching a funding goal can be a cause for celebration, but it’s also a relatively minor part of the founder journey. So many more things can go right or wrong, even with a funding round. There are many other facets to overcome and master. When we admit founders into the program, it is because we have carefully considered what they need as a founder, and how our resources and network across Taiwan and Southeast Asia can help them grow. 

Joel Leong and Henry Chan at ShopBack had already built a business model and received seed funding in 2015 when they launched in Singapore before they came to AppWorks Accelerator #13 in 2016. 

Joel told us that had the team known about Taiwan’s massive US$20 billion GMV e-commerce market and all the region-wide technical and tactical innovations that it would eventually yield, they would have made the move to Taiwan much sooner. Taiwan has since become one of ShopBack’s biggest markets and R&D centers. It demonstrates that funding rounds and business model maturity do not limit founders in learning something new. 

As long as you think that AppWorks can help you in the entrepreneurial learning process, you should apply. 

3. What is an RFS? What kind of support can AppWorks Accelerator provide for startups in AW#32 RFS#1: Manufacturing AI, RFS#2: Defense Tech, and RFS#3: On-Chain Banking?

A Request for Startups (RFS) highlights the specific problem spaces AppWorks is most focused on each batch – areas we believe have strong growth potential and for founders to make a meaningful impact.

An RFS is not a restriction; it’s a signal. It helps founders understand where AppWorks can provide the most value and resources in this batch. If you’re already building in one of these areas, we’d love to meet you. But even if not, as long as your startup aligns with our focus or could benefit from joining the AppWorks founder community strategically, you are very welcome to apply.

For AppWorks Accelerator #32 (AW#32), we’re looking for founders building in Manufacturing AI, Defense Tech, and On-Chain Banking — three verticals that will redefine Asia’s industrial and economic foundation in the coming decade, and where Taiwan and the AppWorks community can provide a unique advantage.

AW#32 RFS#1: Manufacturing AI

Over the past two years, the rapid progress of AI has begun to fundamentally reshape manufacturing — from design and production to operation and maintenance. Now is the time for the industry to embrace intelligent transformation.

With Taiwan’s world-class manufacturing and supply chain ecosystem, AppWorks helps founders directly connect with leading OEMs, manufacturers, and cross-industry partners to co-develop and validate PoCs, as well as build AI-driven solutions for automation, quality inspection, and predictive maintenance.

Our community already includes startups deeply rooted in manufacturing innovation, such as NunoX (AW#31), which accelerates textile development with generative AI; Relajet (AW#17), which delivers advanced sound separation for smart acoustics; and Groundup.AI (AW#27), which enables predictive maintenance through acoustic monitoring.

Through collaboration, sales partnerships, and shared know-how within our network, AppWorks helps your solution validate faster, scale faster, and reach real-world impact.

AW#32 RFS#2: Defense Tech

In an era of geopolitical uncertainty and growing emphasis on supply chain and technological sovereignty, dual-use technologies such as unmanned systems, sensing, cybersecurity, AI models, and advanced materials are becoming critical to both national and industrial resilience. This shift is also creating unprecedented opportunities for startups innovating in high-barrier sectors.

AppWorks Accelerator, together with Wistron Accelerator, has long focused on hardware, AIoT, and deep tech, providing a full-scale environment for manufacturing, prototyping, and validation.

Our community already includes deep-tech startups delivering cutting-edge solutions across both defense and commercial domains — such as Aliena (AW#30), developing propulsion systems for small satellites; Aonic (AW#30), Southeast Asia’s largest industrial and agricultural drone operator; and UNL Global (AW#30) and Mapxus (AW#30), offering precision mapping and geospatial intelligence.

Through this ecosystem, AppWorks helps founders connect with manufacturing and enterprise partners, develop and test PoCs, access investors and R&D talent, and accelerate both technological development and market adoption.

AW#32 RFS#3: On-Chain Banking

We believe the future of finance will be programmable, transparent, and borderless.

AppWorks is looking for founders reimagining financial infrastructure through Web3 technologies. From asset tokenization and decentralized clearing and settlement, to cross-border payments and on-chain compliance and regulatory tools.

As you build toward this new financial architecture, AppWorks helps you understand Asia’s fintech landscape, connecting you with regional financial institutions, compliance advisors, and investors.

Through our community of FinTech, LegalTech, and Web3 founders and mentors across nine markets in Asia, we provide hands-on insights and strategic guidance for scaling within regulated markets and driving real-world adoption.

Whether you’re building the next-generation AI factory, advancing dual-use technologies, or constructing the foundation of on-chain finance, AppWorks is more than an accelerator -we’re your strategic partner for entering Taiwan and scaling across Asia. Helping you go from prototype to scale, from the lab to the real world.

4. How can AppWorks Accelerator help a web3 founder?

As our Web3 ecosystem continues to expand, so do the opportunities for collaboration, real-world testing, and founder-to-founder support. AppWorks connects you to the heart of Asia’s blockchain innovation, offering the right mix of community, partnerships, and practical access to local markets.

a. Grow with one of the largest web3 founder communities.

AppWorks has built a strong Web3 ecosystem of more than 156 active teams with a total of 424 founders. These extraordinary web3 startups include Pendle (AW#20), a DeFi yield-trading protocol that enables the tokenization and trading of future yield; Resolv (AW#30), which issues stablecoins through a ‘Delta Neutral’ strategy and an over-collateralization mechanism; and Event Horizon (AW#28), a meta-governance platform that mobilizes community assets to influence external governance proposals. 

As one of the region’s most active web3 founder communities, we help you navigate every stage of the journey—through mentor and founder intros, ecosystem resources, and peer learning on tokenomics, DAOs, and community-building.

b. Build in Asia’s strongest fintech and blockchain sandbox

Through deep collaborations with leading financial institutions, telecom operators, and exchanges in Taiwan, AppWorks provides Web3 startups with real PoC opportunities to test and refine products in a trusted and compliant environment.

Beyond Web3, our large Web2 founder community — spanning sectors in B2C and B2B, offers potential partnerships that help you reach new user profiles and accelerate adoption.

c. Stay ahead of the game to capture the pulse of the ecosystem and access premium development partners

Within the AppWorks community, nearly 95 teams are already building on major public chains such as Ethereum, Solana, Arbitrum, Hyperliquid, Sui, TON, and Base.

We maintain close ties with leading L1 and L2 ecosystems, and partner with global blockchain infrastructure players including GSR, Alchemy, Quantstamp, and Chainlink, ensuring founders can access reliable tools, liquidity partners, and expert support to scale faster in the region.

5. How does AppWorks Accelerator help founders enter new markets?

Since 2010, AppWorks has made close connections within founder communities and throughout the venture capital ecosystem. When startup teams decide to enter a new market, we can quickly help them learn from local partners to tap into key resources and business models that are specifically tailored to different regions.

Today, the AppWorks community brings together over 600 active technology startups, of which more than 300 operate across multiple Asian markets. The network spans founders from Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan—ensuring that wherever you plan to expand, there’s already an AppWorks founder community on the ground ready to exchange insights, share local know-how, and open doors.

This community is supported by a strong layer of mentors, alumni founders, and seasoned operators, many of whom have built, scaled, or exited successful companies. Together, they form a trusted network that helps new founders navigate everything from product localization to cross-border partnerships.

Beyond the founder network, AppWorks actively invests in over 25 venture funds across AI and Web3, including AC Ventures, Golden Gate Ventures, Openspace Ventures, Ascend Vietnam Ventures, Figment Capital, and Pantera Capital. This extended capital network gives founders exposure to top investors and potential follow-on funding partners throughout Asia.

AppWorks also partners with leading corporate LPs across manufacturing, finance, media, and telecommunications. Our funds are backed by institutions such as Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund and Korea’s government investment agencies, giving our founders privileged access to regional corporates, pilot opportunities, and distribution networks.

6. What does AppWorks look for in applications?

When AppWorks reviews applications submitted by founders, we pay special attention to a founder’s north star. Some questions that might help you think about whether AppWorks is a good fit for you: 

  • Why did you launch your startup?
  • What problem do you want to solve and why?
  • What do you believe fundamentally needs to exist in this world that doesn’t already?
  • What kind of future do you want to create and how will you get there?
  • What have you already done to demonstrate your commitment to tackling this problem?

AppWorks Accelerator’s online application covers about 30 topics related to team background, product/service, business model, market analysis, and more. It is very detailed and requires time to complete. It also includes a required one-minute self-intro from the founder (CEO) for us to know you better.

7. Does AppWorks Accelerator cost anything?

No. AppWorks Accelerator has always been free for founders. We will not charge rent or service fees, nor will we require any form of compensation, such as sweat equity, tokens, options, revenue, or profit-sharing. Our exclusive mission is to help founders. 

8. We need funding now, can we get an investment by joining AppWorks?

The short answer is you will have much better access to us than non-AppWorks accelerated teams. We will discuss with you and help you figure out at this stage of your startup’s journey if capital can give your startup a significant edge and/or take it to the next level, or if there are other more burning issues, e.g., achieving stronger product-market fit, figuring out a working go-to-market strategy, recruiting a solid co-founder, etc. 

Any AppWorks founder is welcome to start a discussion with us on fundraising anytime. We will do our best to advise and support you with US$390 million in total fund size behind us. 

9. My service (or product) has not yet started to make money. Can I still apply?

Of course! There probably isn’t a better time to learn in an accelerator than as a founder just starting out. This period before a founder has built a startup into a scalable business model with Product-Market Fit is called the “seed stage.” During this period, founders always need more than funding; they need a variety of entrepreneurial-related insights, inspiration from other founders, and room for trial and error. AppWorks Accelerator, with over 15 years of experience, was built to provide these lessons and more. 

10. I’m planning to expand my business into Taiwan, however, since I am not a Taiwanese citizen, can you help me obtain a proper visa?

International founders admitted to AppWorks Accelerator, according to your qualifications and needs, AppWorks can help with your application for the Gold Card, or Entrepreneur Visa in Taiwan. This enables founders from overseas to concentrate on work in Taiwan without traveling abroad to sort out troublesome visa issues. We can offer guidance on this process.  

11. Do I have to set up a company to join AppWorks Accelerator?

Not necessarily, but we recommend founders to set up an office when entering a new market, especially those of you that are B2B facing. This may enable you to build relationships with business partners and make negotiating commercial agreements smoother in the future.

For the founders who are planning to land in Taiwan, AppWorks has professional accounting and legal specialists who can assist in managing the necessary procedures, making the process of setting up much easier and more efficient.

12. What is the difference between applying during the first round vs. the final round? 

The application period is split into two intakes, with interviews and admissions facilitated on a rolling basis. Based on past experience, teams that submit their application earlier tend to have a higher chance of being admitted and are also immediately granted access to all the resources that AppWorks Accelerator has to offer.

13. I have previously applied to AppWorks and have been rejected, can I apply again? Will it affect the chances of admission?

Reapplying represents the determination of the founder and is a positive signal for us. Therefore, we will re-evaluate all aspects, not only for the growth of the founder but also for the progress of the company. In the past, some entrepreneurs applied 2-3 times before being selected. In some cases, after unsuccessful applications, they continued to explore and eventually achieved more user growth and deeper insights. In other cases, they honestly faced the fact that there was no Product-Market Fit (PMF), changed their topic, found a scalable business model, and reapplied. These entrepreneurs have performed well after graduating from the accelerator.

We hope the above FAQ can help clarify your questions about AppWorks Accelerator. If you seek more clarity, please write to: [email protected], and we will try to answer your questions.

If you’re a founder creating what the world doesn’t know it needs yet, you’ve come to the right place! Applications for AppWorks Accelerator #32 will be open until January 11, 2026.

AppWorks Accelerator FAQ 創業者常見問題回覆 (為 AW#32 申請團隊準備)

 

AppWorks Accelerator 在 2010 年由 Jamie 林之晨等創業者,為創業者所成立。每半年招募一屆,對象是來自台灣、亞洲與世界各地的新創團隊。成立 15 年以來,AppWorks Accelerator 總共已招募 31 屆,自 2025 年 11 月起,開放申請的第 32 屆 (AW#32),將特別聚焦在站在科技最前線、致力於改寫產業規則與突破現況的創業者,並邀請正在打造智慧製造(Manufacturing AI)、國防科技(Defense Tech)、以及鏈上金融(On-Chain Banking)相關應用的新創團隊加入。

每次招募團隊,AppWorks 都會收到許多申請書,過程中我們發現,新創團隊在看完網站的介紹後,對我們的加速器計畫仍有些許疑問,因此,我們整理了以下常見問題,希望能為有類似疑惑的你,提供一些解答。

【AppWorks Accelerator #32自 2025 年 11 月開放申請

  1. 在加入加速器之前,我需要了解什麼?AppWorks 在幫助創業者充分利用加速器方面做了哪些工作?

AppWorks 致力於提供創業者彈性且全面的體驗,服務台灣本地創業者、以及國際創業者。以下是一些我們獨有的特點:

專為創業者打造的活動:無論你正處於初步驗證、產品開發,還是正在擴張成長,我們都會依照創業階段,設計最適合的活動,協助你持續突破下一個里程碑。

AppWorks 的創業者來自台灣、亞洲美國及全球各地,為了滿足跨時區與多元需求,我們提供實體與線上並行的活動形式,讓你能以最適合自己的方式參與。從工作坊、創業者對談,或是商業媒合,每場活動都經過精心設計,幫助你在每個關鍵時刻加速成長。

亞洲創業網絡:經過 15 年的持續耕耘,我們可以很自豪地分享,AppWorks 已串連起亞洲最活躍的創業生態系,包括創業者社群與投資網絡,遍佈台灣、新加坡、香港、印尼、越南、菲律賓、馬來西亞、韓國與日本,確保你無論身在何處,都能獲得需要的支持。

台灣的市場能量:台灣是亞洲科技創新的核心樞紐,擁有完整的硬體製造鏈、強大的工程與研發人才,以及開放成熟的科技環境。這裡不只是電子與半導體重鎮,更是 AI、國防科技與金融創新的理想實驗場。

AppWorks 深耕台灣超過 15 年,擁有最廣泛且活躍的在地網絡,串連企業龍頭與製造商、創投,以及頂尖學術機構。我們幫助創業者連結供應鏈資源、共同開發解決方案,並加速進入區域市場。

我們強烈建議創業者親自參與 AppWorks 在台灣與亞洲各地舉辦的實體活動,透過面對面的交流,建立更強的關係與更深的洞察,獲得真正能推動成長的連結。

  1. 什麼是 RFS?AppWorks Accelerator 可以分別提供 AW#32 RFS#1: Manufacturing AI、RFS#2: Defense Tech、RFS#3: On-Chain Banking 新創什麼幫助?

RFS (Request for Startups) 是我們在每一期加速器中特別關注的主題,代表我們認為具有發展潛力、值得優秀創業者投入的方向。RFS 不是限制,而是我們希望創業者留意的訊號,讓創業者了解 AppWorks 此期聚焦的重點與我們能提供的資源。

如果你的創業題目正好屬於這些關鍵領域,我們很期待認識你;若不是,但你認為自己的解決方案與我們關注的方向相契合,或者相信加入 AppWorks 社群將能帶來策略性的成長,也同樣非常歡迎申請。

AppWorks 正在尋找致力於 智慧製造(Manufacturing AI)國防科技(Defense Tech)、以及 鏈上金融(On-Chain Banking) 的創業者。我們相信,這三個領域將在未來十年改變亞洲的產業結構與經濟基礎,也是台灣與 AppWorks 的社群能為創業者發揮助力的地方

AW#32 RFS#1: 智慧製造(Manufacturing AI)
過去兩年 AI 的加速發展,讓我們看到了 AI 正全面改變製造業的運作模式,從產品設計、生產製程,到後續維運,皆有機會被大幅翻轉 – 現在正是製造產業迎向智能化升級的關鍵時刻。

台灣擁有世界級的製造與供應鏈生態系,AppWorks 能協助創業者直接連結頂尖 OEM、製造商與跨產業夥伴,共同驗證 PoC、開發 AI 驅動的自動化、品質檢測與預測維護等實際應用。

同時,我們的社群中已聚集眾多 AI 與製造相關的新創,例如可加速織品開發流程的 NunoX (AW#31)、提供精細音訊分離技術的 Relajet (AW#17)、以聲音監測進行預防性維護的 Groundup.AI (AW#27) 等等。透過彼此共同開發、銷售或是經驗分享,AppWorks 社群能幫助你更快驗證、更快落地,推動產品從原型走向規模。

AW#32 RFS#2: 國防科技(Defense Tech)
在地緣政治緊張、各國追求供應鏈與關鍵技術自主的時代,具「雙重用途」的科技—如無人系統、感測、資安、AI 模型與新材料,正快速成為維護國家與產業安全的關鍵力量;這同時也代表著新創能以創新技術切入高門檻市場的機會。

AppWorks 加速器、以及我們與緯創集團共同運營的緯創加速器(Wistron Accelerator),長期聚焦於硬體、AIoT 與深科技領域,提供從製造生產到概念驗證的場域。

同時,我們的社群中已有多支深科技新創,提供國防與商業最前沿的科技應用。包括打造航太與小型衛星推進技術的 Aliena (AW#30)、東南亞最大的農工業無人機服務供應商 Aonic (AW#30)、提供高精度定位與地圖資料解決方案的 UNL Global (AW#30) 與 Mapxus (AW#30) 等等。

在這樣的生態網絡中,AppWorks 將協助新創團隊媒合製造與企業夥伴,開展 PoC 與試驗合作,並連結投資人與技術人才,幫助你強化研發實力、拓展商務應用。

AW#32 RFS#3: 鏈上金融(On-Chain Banking)
我們相信金融的未來,將是程式化、透明且全球化的。AppWorks 正在尋找致力於用 Web3 技術重構金融基礎設施的創業者,包含資產代幣化、去中心化清算與結算、跨境支付,以及鏈上合規與監管工具等領域。

在這條通往新金融架構的路上,AppWorks 能協助你了解亞洲的金融科技生態,連結區域內的金融機構、法遵顧問與投資人,同時透過 AppWorks 社群中橫跨亞洲九個不同市場的 Fintech、LegalTech、Web3 創業者與導師網絡,我們能為你提供在受監管市場中擴張的實戰經驗與策略建議。

無論你正在打造下一代 AI 智慧工廠、研發國防自主科技,或建立鏈上銀行的基礎架構,AppWorks 的定位,並不只是加速器,而是你進入台灣與亞洲市場的策略夥伴。我們期待與你一起,從原型走向規模,從實驗室走進現場。

  1. AppWorks Accelerator 可以提供 web3 新創什麼幫助?

隨著我們 web3 創業者社群的成長,為參與其中的創業者,創造出越來越多建立策略夥伴關係、知識交流的機會,並可促成創業者彼此之間互相幫助。 AppWorks 社群可為 web3 創業者提供獨特的加值服務:

1. 與亞洲最活躍的 web3 創業者社群共同成長

由 AppWorks 建立起的 web3 生態系,已累積 156 支活躍新創團隊、共計超過 424 位創業者,這些傑出的 web3 新創,包括實現資產未來收益代幣化的 Pendle (AW#20),聚合鏈上投票權並幫助協議用戶完成去中心化治理投票的 Event Horizon (AW#28);透過「Delta 中性」策略和超額抵押機制,發行穩定幣的 Resolv (AW#30)

AppWorks 團隊長期協助創業者之間建立連結,將資源與人脈引介給各新創團隊,並從不同創業者身上,交流學習各種創業相關經驗與秘訣。

2. 與 Web2 與 Web3 領域的關鍵夥伴建立 PoC 與產品整合機會

AppWorks 與台灣的金融產業龍頭、電信公司、以及交易所維持深度合作,為提供鏈上金融服務的區塊鏈公司,打造真實的 PoC 測試與落地機會。

除了活躍的 Web3 生態外,我們也擁有強大且在各自產業領域領先的 Web2 創業者與企業社群,讓 Web3 團隊能與不同用戶群輪廓的夥伴合作、測試產品,並快速驗證市場需求。

3. 在快速發展的 web3 生態系保持領先,並獲得優質的開發合作夥伴

AppWorks web3 生態系中,有近 95 支區塊鏈團隊已經在各種公鏈上開發產品,包括 Ethereum、Solana、Arbitrum、Hyperliquid、Sui、TON、Base 等。創業者可在社群中找到具實戰經驗的夥伴,共同開發產品或交流技術。

此外,AppWorks 也與全球知名的開發工具、審計公司、造市商與雲端服務供應商合作,包括 GSR、Quantstamp、Chainlink 等,為新創提供專業資源與支援。

  1. 如果我的新創已經完成 Series A/B 募資、或是已經開始獲利,AppWorks Accelerator 還適合我嗎?

我們並沒有限定申請團隊的成熟階段,無論是正處於早期、或是已規模化擴張的團隊,只要你認為在創業過程中,AppWorks 能提供到你所需要幫助,都歡迎申請加入。

依過去的案例,也有許多較成熟的團隊加入,例如,有些團隊已經在台灣做出不錯的成績,想往東南亞發展,AppWorks 可以成為新創佈局東南亞的橋樑或跳板。

或者是規模已不小的國際團隊,如果想在台灣建立技術團隊或開發市場商機,加入 AppWorks, 可以成為在台落地的第一步。像是例如來自新加坡、在 2016 年進駐 AW#13 的 ShopBack,早在 2014 年就創立,並在 2015 年完成種子輪募資並在新加坡推出服務,而透過在 AppWorks Accelerator 的時間,ShopBack 在台灣建立起技術團隊,並同時驗證了測試台灣市場的發展性可能性。如今,台灣已是 Shopback 所有經營的市場中,重要的營收來源和核心研發基地。

  1. AppWorks Accelerator 可以提供想進入國際市場的新創什麼幫助?

AppWorks Accelerator 自 2010 年啟動迄今,累積了廣大的創業者社群與 VC 夥伴網絡,協助新創團隊在進入新市場時能快速獲取關鍵資源,並向當地的創業者學習因地制宜的商業模式。

目前,我們的社群中已有超過 600 家活躍的科技公司,其中超過 300 間已經是跨市場經營的企業。社群中不僅包含加速器校友新創與 AppWorks 基金投資的國際團隊,也有眾多曾成功規模化或退出的創業者與 Mentors。

他們分布於 亞洲 9 個市場:新加坡、印尼、越南、菲律賓、馬來西亞、韓國、日本、香港與台灣,這代表無論你想進入哪個市場,AppWorks 社群中都已有在地的創業者群體,以及曾成功拓展跨國事業的創業者,能與你交流經驗、協助引薦人脈,加速你在新市場的落地。

除了創業者社群以外,AppWorks 另外在 AI、web3 等領域投資超過 25 個創投基金,包含 AC Ventures、 Golden Gate Ventures、 Openspace Ventures、Ascend Vietnam Ventures、Figment Capital、Pantera 等。

此外,AppWorks 與認同我們理念的基金投資人合作,其中包括在科技製造、金融、媒體、電信等領域領先的企業,基金也獲得馬來西亞主權基金與韓國政府投資機構的支持,並與印尼最大的電信公司建立策略夥伴關係,進一步鞏固我們在亞洲的布局,讓新創團隊進入新市場時,能與不同區域的投資人合作、更有效率的拓展人脈與商機。

  1. AppWorks Accelerator 要收費嗎?

AppWorks Accelerator 是針對創業者完全免費的服務。我們不會向新創團隊收取租金、服務費,也不會要求技術股、選擇權、營收、獲利分成,或是 Token 等任何形式的回饋。

  1. 我們現在需要一筆資金,加入 AppWorks 就可以被投資嗎?

相較於其他新創團隊,參與 AppWorks Accelerator 的創業者,有更多與我們深度交流的機會,自然也就有更高的合作機率。無論參與的新創處於什麼階段,我們都會與創業者討論,什麼是現階段最需要且適合你的幫助。在對的時間點,當資金可以大幅提升該新創的實力與競爭優勢,我們會全力協助你完成該輪募資。但有些時候,創業者當下更重要的任務,是解決其他更急迫的問題,包括重新定義市場問題、 探索正確的目標客群、或是尋找更強的 Product Market Fit 等等。

AppWorks 管理四支創投基金規模共 3.9 億美元,無論是關於募資,或是其他策略面向的討論,我們隨時準備好提供你最適切的建議與協助。

  1. 我的服務 (或產品) 還沒開始賺錢,這樣能申請嗎?

當然可以。從公司創立到找到可規模化商業模式這段期間,稱為「種子期」。種子期新創公司需要的多半不是資金,而是各種與創業有關的知識、啟發,以及嘗試與犯錯的空間。AppWorks Accelerator 有豐富的經驗,協助種子期新創尋找可規模化商業模式,幫助他們順利邁向下一階段。

  1. 加入 AppWorks Accelerator 一定要設立公司嗎?

不一定,但我們會建議做 B2B 的團隊設立公司。根據我們的經驗,這將有助於你與潛在事業夥伴洽談後續合作。AppWorks 有專業的會計與法務專家,可以為創業者提供成立公司過程中所需要的協助;以及為計劃擴張到台灣的團隊處理落地的手續。

  1. 我不是台灣公民,能否幫忙申請簽證?

入選 AppWorks Accelerator 的國際創業者,可根據個人的需求與條件,由 AppWorks 提供協助,申請 Gold Card 就業金卡Entrepreneur Visa 創業家簽證 ,讓來自海外的創業者能在台灣專心工作,不需為了簽證問題出境往返。

  1. 新創的申請書中,AppWorks 注重的內容有哪些?

我們特別重視驅動創業者長期持續自我精進、沿途排除阻礙,非得要抵達的北極星。此外,以下幾個問題,也是我們關注的:

  • 為什麼要創業?
  • 你希望透過創業解決什麼問題?為什麼?
  • 你相信世界上,還有哪些尚未被滿足的基本需求?
  • 你希望創造什麼樣的未來?計畫如何去實現?
  • 你已經做了哪些努力來證明你正在解決這些問題?
  1. 申請書的題目都是英文,用中文寫會不會影響分數?

AppWorks Accelerator 的線上申請書共有約 30 個題目,包含團隊、產品、商業模式,與市場分析等眾多面向,非常詳盡,需要花一定的時間與心思填寫。我們希望透過這些題目協助每一個來申請的團隊,釐清自己當下的發展狀態與所需協助。

填寫報名表是一種自我健檢,因為在填寫過程中,創業者必須深入思考自己的產品、市場策略、團隊分工,以及整體產業環境。因此,不管申請與否,我們都建議創業者針對這些問題仔細思考、研究。

在 AppWorks,創業者有大量使用英文的機會,與各國創業者、投資人與企業夥伴溝通交流。因此,我們鼓勵你嘗試以英文作答。用中文填寫並不會影響評估結果,最重要的是必須清楚表達你想傳達的訊息。另外,我們也需要創辦人/CEO 拍攝一段一分鐘的自我介紹與產品說明影片,讓我們不僅是透過文字,能夠更加認識你。

  1. 第一階段 VS. 第二階段申請有何差別?

AppWorks Accelerator 的面談與入選採先收先審方式 (Rolling-basis),根據過去的經驗,先繳交申請書的團隊,有較高的入選機率,且能提早知道自己已經入選,有更充裕的時間預先規劃相關事宜。因此,我們會鼓勵創業者在第一階段就填寫申請書,以免到了最後申請截止前夕,競爭變得更加激烈。

  1. 我以前有申請過 AppWorks 被拒絕了、還能再申請嗎?是否會影響錄取的機率呢?

不會影響錄取率。我們會評估你在這段時間的進展,無論是 Founder 本身的成長,或是公司的拓展。整體而言,再次申請代表了創業者的決心,對我們來說是正面的訊號。過去也有創業者申請了 2~3 次才獲選。有的案例是在申請未果後,仍繼續耐心摸索,最終成功增長更多的用戶、也累積了更深入的洞察;有的案例則是坦誠面對沒有 PMF 的事實,更換了題目後,找到可擴展的商業模式而再次申請,而這些創業者自加速器畢業後的表現也相當優秀。

希望以上整理能幫助你釐清對 AppWorks Accelerator 的諸多疑問。若還有其他需要進一步瞭解的地方,歡迎留言給我們,或是來信至:[email protected],我們將盡量為你解答。

【歡迎所有不滿足於現狀、正致力於以嶄新方式突破傳統的創業者,加入專為你們服務的 AppWorks Accelerator,AW#32 申請截止日為 2026 年 1 月 11 日】

AppWorks Secures Investment from KVIC, Launches Korean Accelerator Cohort to Help Startups Go Regional

AppWorks, a leading startup accelerator and VC firm headquartered in Taiwan, has signed an MOU with Korea Venture Investment Corporation (KVIC) to strengthen support for Korean startups. With KVIC’s strategic commitment into AppWorks Fund IV, AppWorks and KVIC will work together to help Korean founders access new markets, capital, and networks across Asia—empowering them to scale beyond Korea and compete on the global stage.

AppWorks is launching a Korean cohort to accelerate cross-border expansion

AppWorks Accelerator—the renowned startup accelerator originated in Taiwan and has since expanded across Asia—has built its alumni network the region’s largest founder community of 624 active startups and 2,029 founders, and will soon launch a Korean cohort for growth-stage startups ready to expand beyond their home market. Admitted startups will gain access to AppWorks’ valuable mentorship and connection to key strategic partners—including leading regional VCs and top-tier corporates from key sectors such as telecom, world-class electronics manufacturers driving the AI supply chain, cutting-edge media companies, and leading retail players to fast-track their entry into Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and beyond. More importantly, they will join AppWorks’ alumni network across Asia, pioneering frontier technologies such as AI and IoT, while connecting with the corporate partners to accelerate growth and collaboration. 

AppWorks connects Korean founders to one of Asia’s most vibrant startup ecosystems and network for capital & strategic partnership.

Founded by one of Taiwan’s most successful and influential founder-turned-investors, Jamie Lin, in 2009, AppWorks has since built a thriving pan-Asia community of 2,029 founders and 624 active startups, all together valued at $32.1 billion and pulling $16.3 billion in annual revenues.  These companies span across diverse tech sectors. Built by founders, for founders, this community thrives on peer learning, shared networks, and collaboration. By joining, Korean founders gain a platform to scale beyond their home market and accelerate their path from local champions to regional leaders. 

Taiwan is a strategic market, profitability center, and AI hub for startups

Taiwan is quickly becoming a leading hub for AI, with strong ties to the world’s semiconductor supply chain and a growing network of AI startups and corporates. AppWorks connects founders to key industry players and corporates eager to adopt AI and IoT solutions. For Korean startups in AI, Taiwan provides exceptional access to advanced technology and a rapidly expanding market, offering a solid base to grow regionally and globally.

In addition to its strategic position within the AI supply chain, Taiwan is also an ideal market for consumer-facing startups. With strong purchasing power supported by a high GDP per capita of US$34K, and a digitally savvy population eager to try new products, Taiwan serves as both a testbed and a profitability center, where startups can refine their business models and unit economics before scaling to larger markets.

Global players have already proven Taiwan’s strategic value. Coupang selected Taiwan as one of its first overseas markets, quickly gaining traction due to high average order value, dense urban populations, and strong local demand for Korean products in beauty, F&B, and fashion. LINE has built Taiwan into one of its strongest markets outside Japan, reaching nearly the entire population with over 20 million active users. Today, LINE operates as a true super-app, offering messaging, payments, banking, and media services woven into everyday life.

For Korean founders, Taiwan offers both the accessibility of a nearby market and the growth potential of a leading AI ecosystem, making it a powerful bridge from Korea to the broader Southeast Asian region.

AppWorks is doubling down on Korea’s fast-growing tech ecosystem

In recent years, AppWorks has steadily nurtured a growing community of Korean founders, backing ambitious startups and supporting their growth beyond domestic borders. With partnership with KVIC, AppWorks is doubling down—providing Korean entrepreneurs with the networks, capital, and regional know-how they need to scale across Asia.

AppWorks, a leading regional VC with a proven investment track record

Alongside its accelerator, AppWorks manages four venture capital funds with US$370M total funds raised, investing from seed to Series C stage startups. AppWorks has invested in more than 100 companies, including category leaders such as Lalamove, Carousell, ShopBack, KKday, 91APP, 17LIVE, Animoca Brands, and Dapper Labs/Flow. Its portfolio has produced 6 IPOs, 8 IEOs, 1 hectocorn, 2 decacorns, and 8 unicorns—cementing AppWorks’ position as one of Asia’s most impactful founder communities and VC platforms.

AppWorks and KVIC, together, share a commitment to helping Korean startups grow into global players

Jessica Liu, Partner leading AppWorks’ initiatives in Korea:

“We are excited to partner with KVIC to empower Korean founders. Korea is home to incredible founders and culture, and with the right networks across Asia, we believe these startups can grow into the next wave of regional and global champions.”

 

Less is More! The Power of Simplicity in 91APP’s 10-year journey from start to a successful IPO

 

Nathan Alexander, Associate
Nathan joined AppWorks in 2024 as an Associate in the Southeast Asia Arm, dedicated to meeting and supporting founders in the region. He brings forth over 7 years of experience in startup advisory, investments and M&A. He started his career at PwC Indonesia where he was first exposed to the investment world and developed his initial acumen for analyzing companies. In 2021, Nathan moved to the venture capital industry, taking on the position of Senior Analyst at Alpha JWC. In his most recent role, Nathan served as the Head of Investments for Telkomsel Ventures where he focused on sourcing startups and underwriting investments for Telkomsel, Indonesia’s largest telecom operator.

It might be uncomfortable but less is often more in making a tech product. In this article, I want to highlight a company in our ecosystem that grew rapidly not by piling on features, but by consciously removing complexity.

Why Simplicity Matters: Learnings from 91APP

Here’s something founders often overlook: users don’t actually crave more features; they crave less friction. Adding more features might sound impressive, but every extra click, screen, or step can turn users away.

I see a strong case of 91APP, one of the startups in our community that had successfully gone IPO in Taiwan. 91APP is a storefront SaaS solution for merchants. Unlike many other solutions that overwhelm merchants with complicated setups, convoluted integrations, and steep learning curves, 91APP built their entire platform with one core principle: make omnichannel retail ridiculously easy. No complex integrations, no tech-heavy setup, just effortless retail management.

91APP helps merchants to quickly create a fully functional online store/website and branded mobile app within days, sparing them all technical complexities. Its unified, simple dashboard integrates everything, from online and physical retail to payments and marketing channels, allowing brands to manage their entire omnichannel retail experience all in one platform.

91APP’s success stems from its deliberate simplification of complex retail processes. The platform makes it easy for anyone, even non-tech-savvy merchants to quickly launch and manage an omnichannel retail experience. But 91APP’s simplicity mindset extends beyond just the product:

  • Intuitive User Interface: Easy-to-navigate interfaces with clear, jargon-free language.
  • Straightforward Pricing: Transparent, simple subscription models with no hidden fees.
  • Seamless Integrations: Effortless OMO integration to sync inventory, member data, employee performance, and loyalty programs across their online store and physical shops with ease, eliminating the need for manual management after launching.

By deeply understanding their customers, 91APP added a simple built-in referral mechanism, giving each store staff a unique code that earns them a commission on sales from both e-commerce and physical stores. This OMO integration not only boosts staff bonuses but also encourages them to embrace digital channels to maintain customer influence. Many businesses benefited a lot through increased sales performance after adopting this straightforward, yet highly effective feature. This enables 91APP’s merchants to scale faster and spend less time on problems that don’t move the needle.

Timberland was struggling to unify their offline and online operations. 91APP’s OMO (Online-Merge-Offline) solution allowed Timberland to integrate inventory, member data, and loyalty programs across both their online store and physical shops, eliminating the need for manual management. After implementing this solution, Timberland saw 70% of online sales from the brand’s official e-commerce, and their OMO members spent twice as much as single-channel customers. 

91APP’s success demonstrates that simplicity is not just about removing unnecessary features—it’s about deeply understanding user needs and creating an experience that minimizes friction. Their approach shows that when technology is simplified and made intuitive, it can lead to faster growth, higher engagement, and stronger customer loyalty—proving us one thing: simplicity matters.

Keeping Simplicity in the Age of AI

Talking about product development right now would be incomplete if we don’t consider AI. The truth is AI brings immense potential and…complexity. 91APP recognized that adding AI shouldn’t mean adding friction. They integrated AI silently and intuitively:

  • Retail AI Jooii: Automatically recommends the best pricing and promotions using real-time shopper data, no manual setup, just smart suggestions built into the dashboard.
  • One-Click Copywriting: Generates product descriptions and ad copy in seconds, removing the need for writing or marketing expertise.
  • Smart Insights: Converts raw data into clear, actionable reports, so even non-technical users can make fast, informed decisions without digging through spreadsheets.

The beauty of 91APP’s approach here is they make AI feel like part of the background, not the focus. Instead of overwhelming users with tech, they’ve built tools that simply work, helping merchants with things like pricing or copywriting without adding complexity. That’s the real power of AI: when it becomes invisible, solving big problems without anyone noticing. It’s proof that even in the age of AI, simplicity isn’t just possible, it’s the best way to grow.

Why simplicity is harder than it looks

 

When I found out the power of simplicity, then the next question would be: if simplicity is so valuable, why not more companies do it? People often hear “keep it simple” and nod along, until they try to do it. On paper, stripping features sounds easy. In practice, it’s one of the hardest things a company can pull off. I tried to dig deeper and found there are at least three main reasons why it’s difficult to achieve.

First, simplicity means saying “no” over and over. It’s easy to keep adding features because every “yes” feels like progress. But each “no” risks disappointing a customer, investor, or salesperson. Most companies simply don’t have the courage and discipline.

Second, simplicity isn’t cheap. Behind 91APP’s’s easy storefront are years of hidden engineering effort. It takes huge technical depth, custom infrastructure, optimized code, and endless tweaking to make complex technology feel invisible. It’s easier to expose complexity than hide it. The shorter the grass, the deeper the root.

Third, simple products must be opinionated. A customer-centric founder will know exactly what their customer needs. 91APP deeply understood the needs of merchants and how they wanted to manage omnichannel retail, so they built a platform that streamlined the process and removed unnecessary complexities. This deep understanding of their customers allowed them to focus on the core value they were delivering, even if it meant overlooking other potential use cases. Many companies fail to be so customer-obsessed, and that lack of focus can lead to overcomplicated products that don’t truly address what users want or need.

Simplicity only looks easy from the outside. It actually requires cultural discipline, technical depth, and a customer-centric mindset. Few teams are willing or able to invest in all three, which is why true simplicity remains a competitive moat rather than a commodity.

Conclusion

The big lesson here is clear: complexity might seem impressive, but simplicity holds real value. Founders are often tempted by new technologies, mistakenly believing complexity equals sophistication. Yet, the real winners succeed precisely because they reject unnecessary complexity and maintain relentless focus on their users’ needs.

But embracing simplicity isn’t easy, it’s incredibly difficult. It demands the courage to say “no” repeatedly, even when it disappoints stakeholders. It requires deep technical mastery to hide complexity beneath the surface. And it needs bold, opinionated decisions coming from deep understanding of the customers, which will clearly define the product’s direction, despite the risk of alienating some users and stakeholders.

True simplicity is a competitive advantage precisely because it’s so hard to achieve. It involves deliberate cultural discipline, constant technical refinement, and unwavering commitment. When done right, simplicity doesn’t just grow businesses, it transforms them.