The Inner Circle

Global SME Incubator. For founders who refuse to stay local.

Intake: 2027
Format: Cohort of 8
Duration: 4 to 6 months
Markets: MY SG TH ID AU
Equity: 0%
Fee: Subsidised

What this is

An acceleration programme built to take your business global.

The Global Incubator Programme is for innovative SMEs ready to grow and scale by unlocking the potential of global markets. To scale abroad you need to understand what each market demands, and build the partnerships, collaborations and networks that open doors.

We put you inside world-leading incubators abroad, and beside the people who have already done it. The structured, intensive three-stage path tackles the challenges most innovative companies face when entering global markets, with world-class mentors reducing the barriers and the risks.

Who it is for

ASEAN-based SMEs

Small and medium companies operating in the ASEAN region with the ambition and commitment to scale globally.

Proven traction

You already have sales and momentum at home, and now want to innovate your products and services through global partnerships.

Senior commitment

A senior person from your company commits to every stage. This is not something you delegate.

Cohorts of 8

Selection is competitive and every selected business takes part in all three stages. Every seat is earned.

Programme

Prepare, Pursue, Exploit. A structured and intensive path into global markets.

Prepare

Day 01

Preparation workshop

Full cohort · paired with an UnBranded innovation and growth specialist

Malaysia

Apply

Day 02

Strategic action plan and value proposition

Market landscape briefing · coaching to present your business at its sharpest

Malaysia

Apply

Pursue

Month 01

First market visit

Technology and market fit · preliminary customer validation · ecosystem introductions

SG · TH · ID · AU

Apply

Weekly

Deep-dive sessions

Incubator team, mentors and experts on what it really takes to win the market

Online · evenings

Apply

Month 04-06

Second market visit and Demo Day

Showcase the cohort to investors and experts, and open new connections

Partner market

Apply

Exploit

Ongoing

Turn every connection into growth

Your innovation and growth specialist, the network and the knowledge, working for you

Malaysia · Online

Apply

What you get

Sessions run weekly, usually on a weekday evening, so you can build without stepping away from the business.

Expert-led sessions

Critical insight on mission, forecasting, product and market fit, branding, sales, marketing, funding and pitching.

Cohort peer learning

Over 12 hours of peer learning and coaching, plus informal advice sessions with founders who share your drive.

1-to-1 support

Personalised guidance from experienced mentors on the exact challenges in front of your business.

Demo Day

Present to a panel of experts and investors and leave with feedback you can act on.

Funding opportunity

Most programmes give graduates the chance to apply for a business grant through a competitive process.

The whole ecosystem

Brand, learning, web, merchandise, media, intelligence and sourcing from ten UnCult companies, behind every member.

Mentor bench

Mentors who have built, sold, scaled and survived.

Not lecturers. Operators. Every mentor on the bench has run the play in a real market with real money on the line. You get their playbook, their scars and their network.

Founders of regional consumer brands

People who took a product from one market to five, and know where the problems hide.

Heads of growth and performance

Operators who have scaled acquisition and retention across ASEAN and can read a funnel in minutes.

Investors and grant assessors

The people on the other side of the table at Demo Day, teaching you what makes them say yes.

UnBranded innovation and growth specialists

Your dedicated strategist through Prepare, Pursue and Exploit, with thirty years of brand and market strategy behind them.

Markets

Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Australia. Drag the globe.

Malaysia

HQ · Cohort base

Singapore

Incubator partner

Thailand

Incubator partner

Indonesia

Incubator partner

Australia

Incubator partner

Drag to rotate · Live programme map

Your stage

A programme for every stage, from idea to scale.

Get Ready to Start

For aspiring founders with an idea

You have a business idea but are not quite ready to launch. Develop the idea, build your confidence and learn the fundamentals: entrepreneurial mindset, problem and solution fit, finance, branding and pitching.

Launchpads

Twelve sessions · about to launch

You understand the problem you are solving and are ready to begin. Twelve sessions on mindset, business strategy, finance, branding and pitching to get the business off the ground.

Incubators

Nine workshops · side hustle to full time

You have traction and want a sustainable business with a clear strategy. Strategy, culture and mission, social media, legal, storytelling, PR, pricing, customer journey mapping and pitching.

Accelerators

Twelve workshops · ready to scale

Business and leadership programmes for founders ready to scale their business and impact, drawing on the knowledge of every founder in the room.

Deep Dives

Targeted · established businesses

Focused support in one area such as funding, digital transformation or innovation, with expert masterclasses, peer workshops and 1-to-1 coaching.

Fine print

Most programmes take place online via Zoom. Some are delivered both online and in person, usually at our offices in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

No. Our programmes exist to support entrepreneurs. We take no equity and no stake in your business.

All business models, sectors and industries. Product, service or marketplace, selling to consumers or businesses, seeking funding or bootstrapping.

Thanks to our corporate partners, programmes run on a small contribution and commitment fee.

Currently Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Australia.