Sequoia’s Surge Introduces Its Sixth
Cohort Of 20 Companies Building Smarter
Solutions for A Changing World

  • The startups have raised USD $60 million in total from Surge and co-investors 
  • The cohort features startups in AgTech, EdTech, D2C, Fintech, SaaS, Dev Tools and Cyber Security who are solving some of the biggest challenges faced by consumers and businesses around the world
  • Surge 06 is the most geographically diverse cohort yet, with new entrants from Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan, and 60% of startups building for global markets from day one

Surge, Sequoia Capital India’s rapid scale-up program in Southeast Asia and India has launched its sixth cohort, showcasing 20 early-stage startups with funding totaling USD $60 million from Surge and co-investors.

Surge has seen incredible growth over the past three years, with six cohorts and over 10,000 companies evaluated. With the sixth cohort, the Surge community now includes 246 founders from 112 startups across more than 15 sectors. 45 companies from the first four cohorts comprising 69 companies have raised follow-on funding. The progression seen by these startups is testament to the extensive, early-stage support that the Surge program provides, with strategic mentorship and hands-on guidance for company building.

“The exceptional calibre and talent displayed by the founders of each new Surge cohort continue to humble us. Every founder brings with them the kind of bold innovation and purpose the world needs to solve some of the most pressing problems today. Many of our companies are building strong, digital foundations that are opening pathways to international markets. We’re excited to be part of our founders’ ambitious journeys, as they work towards becoming global businesses of the future,” said Rajan Anandan, Managing Director, Surge & Sequoia India.

Companies That Build Fresher, Smarter Solutions to Help Consumers and Businesses Adapt to A Changing World

The companies in Surge 06 bring with them a diverse group of founders that are diving deep into tech-driven solutions across several markets and industries. Not only is Surge 06 welcoming its first startups from Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan, but 13 out of the 20 are already building for an audience beyond their home markets. (Refer to the Appendix below for a full breakdown of Surge 06 companies).

Several companies in the cohort are from AgTech, EdTech, FinTech, direct-to-consumer and e-commerce sectors. In EdTech, companies are leading the way in digital learning and mentoring. Several startups are building e-commerce platforms to connect customers to a wider range of goods and services and are providing unprecedented access to digital payments and retail investing. Innovation in AgTech is also a highlight, focusing on streamlining complex agriculture supply chains and sending a lifeline to farmers in rural areas.

By leveraging advancements in tech and software, these companies are transforming human potential through the way we live, work, and learn, and solving fundamental, systematic issues across countries.

The cohort also features a significant number of software startups focusing on cybersecurity, customer engagement, talent development, payments and more. As products and services continue to move online, these startups are playing a pivotal role in supporting SME growth and helping them navigate an increasingly borderless and digitized world.

Surge 06 will kick off on 27 January, where founders will go through a rigorous 16-week virtual program. Past speakers and mentors in the program include Siu Rui Quek (Carousell), William Tanuwijaya (Tokopedia/GoTo), Chhatri Sityodtong (ONE Championship), Ankiti Bose (Zilingo) and Doug Leone (Sequoia Capital).

To learn more about Surge and find out more about each Surge 06 company, please click here.

 

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR