The Plus Eight Accelerator is a high-impact program designed to help startups scale. Following a rigorous application process, selected startups will have access to structured support, mentorship, and seed-funding. During the first eight weeks of the program (Phase One), selected participants will take part in weekly masterclasses, 1 on 1 mentoring sessions, and Entrepreneur-in-Residence coaching, gaining insights from industry experts and experienced founders.Participants will then pitch their business to a judging panel to progress further into the program (Phase Two). Startups that progress to Phase Two will have access to a pool of seed-funding and the opportunity to embark on an international trip, where they will explore global markets, connect with investors, and accelerate their growth on an international stage.The program culminates with a Demo Night to showcase the cohort to investors, partners and the broader innovation community.

This year, the Plus Eight Accelerator has been enhanced to provide even stronger support for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. Whether founders are refining a scalable idea or scaling an existing startup, they’ll receive personalised content, targeted guidance, and strategic investment tailored to their needs.At Plus Eight, we’re committed to ensuring every founder has access to the right support at the right time—empowering them to take their venture to the next level.

Founders or teams looking to apply must complete a questionnaire. After the application period closes, companies will be notified about their selection and may be required to complete a legal questionnaire and submit relevant documents before attending a two-day selection bootcamp.Following the bootcamp, selected participants will receive formal offers to join the program. Whether you are selected to continue or not, every applicant will receive valuable feedback from the program’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR), Dr. Marcus Tan. Those accepted will gain even deeper insights and high-level mentorship throughout the program to accelerate their startup’s growth.

We seek ambitious founders who are passionate about solving big problems as part of a balanced team with high potential to scale. Key criteria will depend on what stage you are in but include:
- A well articulated and researched idea that has significant potential to grow and make a large positive impact  
- Clear validation of your problem and solution 
- Traction  – do you have customers?
- Subject matter expertise
- Mission and passion
- A great and complementary team
- Hustle and determination to make things happen
- A competitive edge

• Commitment to the business and the program full-time
• Ability to fund yourself throughout the program
• Attendance at all masterclass sessions and for Phase Two, the overseas trip
• Willingness to agree to our SAFE note terms

We do not have a specific industry focus. However, we are particularly excited about early-stage startups, from pre-seed to Series A, that are tackling global challenges in areas such as Digital Health, Agtech, Proptech, and Social Impact.

As long as your business is ambitious and solving a significant problem, we’d love to hear from you!

​We do not sign NDAs, but we include a confidentiality clause in our application form. Most venture firms avoid NDAs, and driven founders typically do not rely on them. What matters more is your unique connection to the problem you’re solving and your motivation to address it.

Yes, absolutely. However, we like to see that you are capable of leading and attracting others to join your vision. Building a team is critical to taking full advantage of the program’s growth opportunities.

No, the Plus Eight Accelerator is fully funded by our amazing partners. However, when you receive investment, we become shareholders in your startup by acquiring equity.

We fund a significant portion of the trip for one founder per startup. Additional founders are welcome to join but will need to cover their own costs. You may use the investment funds to offset these costs.

Plus Eight invests through a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) note, which is a form of convertible note.

A SAFE is an agreement where the investor provides funding to a company in exchange for the right to purchase stock in a future equity round (when it occurs) based on the terms outlined in the SAFE.

When you receive investment after pitching, you sign a SAFE agreement. This agreement states that during your next qualifying capital raise, the SAFE will convert into shares under specific conditions.

Depending on the stage of your startup, your startup will have either a $1M or $2M valuation.

Plus Eight Investors purchase shares at a 25% discount to the valuation during your next capital raise. If no qualifying capital raise occurs within two years, the SAFE will convert at the Fall-back Valuation, which is set at either $1M or $2M, depending on your designated stream.

The discount compensates investors for their early risk and significant non-cash contributions. We invest in startups at the beginning of their journey and provide expert programs, trips, co-working spaces, mentoring, and networking opportunities. This support increases your valuation potential, and the discount recognises that added value.

The amount of equity will depend on your next capital raise’s valuation.

‍Scenario 1: You receive $150k from Plus Eight, and within a year, you secure a capital raise with a $5 million valuation.Plus Eight converts its SAFE to $200k worth of shares (25% discount on $5M valuation), which equals 4% equity in the company.

‍Scenario 2: You receive $150k from Plus Eight but do not secure investment within two years.The SAFE converts to $200k worth of shares at the Fall-back Valuation of $2 million, which equals 10% equity in the company.

‍Scenario 3: You receive $80,000 from Plus Eight, and within a year, you secure a capital raise with a $3 million valuation. Plus Eight converts its SAFE to $106,667 worth of shares (25% discount on the $3M valuation), which equals 3.56% equity in the company.

‍Scenario 4: You receive $80,000 from Plus Eight but do not secure investment within two years. The SAFE converts to $106,667 worth of shares at the Fall-back Valuation of $1 million, which equals 10.67% equity in the company.

Yes. If your company has previously issued shares at a valuation higher than the Fall-back Valuation, we are open to increasing the Fall-back Valuation to align with this.

Let’s assume a company has the SAFE note conversion at a post-money valuation of $2 million.

For simplicity, the share price is $1.00.

The SAFE note holders receive a 25% discount on the share price. So, for a $150,000 investment, while new investors are paying $1.00 per share, the SAFE investor pays $0.75 per share due to the discount.

Calculations:
$150,000 investment ÷ $0.75/share = 200,000 shares issued.
Since the shares are valued at $1.00 each at the end of the round, the SAFE investor’s $150,000 investment is now worth $200,000 (200,000 shares × $1.00).

A qualifying capital raise is typically an investment round where your company raises funds from institutional investors or VCs at a negotiated valuation. In the context of the SAFE, qualifying financing refers to a bona fide equity fundraising event or series of events where the company raises at least $200,000 at a post-money valuation that meets or exceeds the qualifying financing threshold. The primary purpose of this financing must be to raise capital through the issuance of QF shares, and the SAFE will convert into equity based on the agreed terms when this event occurs.

If your startup does not raise a qualifying capital round within two years, the SAFE will convert at the pre-set Fall-back Valuation ($1M or $2M, depending on your stream).

No, a SAFE is not a debt instrument, nor does it grant Plus Eight voting rights, board seats, or operational control. It is simply an agreement to convert into equity at a future funding event.

No, the SAFE is designed to convert into equity rather than be repaid like a loan. If no qualifying capital raise occurs, it will convert at the Fall-back Valuation.

Because the SAFE converts at a discount, it can impact your cap table by increasing the number of shares issued when it converts. However, this is a standard mechanism used by many accelerators and investors to support early-stage startups.

Yes, many startups raise funding from multiple investors using separate SAFE notes. Each SAFE can have different terms, such as valuation caps or discounts, based on the agreement with each investor.

Yes, your company must be legally incorporated before signing the SAFE, as the agreement involves issuing equity in a legal entity.