Watchtower & Friends fortifies a decade of accelerating startups 

• Invested in over 50 startups & creating more than 2,000 jobs
• Portfolio startups valued over US$22.5M, with a market cap exceeding US$113M

With a track record of success and an established network of committed collaborators, government partners, investors, mentors, and visionaries, Watchtower & Friends (WTF) continues to strengthen its position as Malaysia’s leading private accelerator, marking ten years of empowering startups.

In a statement, the company said that through its comprehensive WTF Accelerator programme, spanning over eight cohorts, WTF has invested in more than 50 startups, creating over 2,000 jobs, with many of these startups growing into well-known SMEs with significant revenue. Additionally, WTF stated that it has startups in its portfolio with valuations exceeding US$22.5 million (RM100 million), with the total estimated market capitalisation of these companies surpassing US$113 million (RM500 million).

Originally created as a venture builder, WTF focused on nurturing startups internally, including the equity crowdfunding platform pitchIN, before pivoting to an accelerator model—an approach that proved successful and has been on a skyward trajectory ever since.

Co-founders Sam Shafie and Kashminder Singh coined the company’s cheeky abbreviation not only to reflect the testing journey that most startups face but also to pay tribute to the many friends made along the way and the Jimi Hendrix hit All Along the Watchtower.

Brought together by passion and fuelled by expertise and experience from their different backgrounds, Sam and Kashminder developed the “State of My Startup” document, helping startups identify their stage of development, available resources, and market opportunities. This became the foundation of the WTF Accelerator programme, which, aside from dedicated mentorship, covers key topics such as Founders’ Foundation, Building a Minimum Viable Product, and Funding Fundamentals over a 12-week course.

“Most startups come to us with only a PowerPoint presentation or even just an idea in hand. But with their determination and our guidance under the WTF Accelerator programme, a high number of these startups go on to succeed and raise further funding rounds from VCs, angel investors, and equity crowdfunding platforms. As technology advances, the success window for startups is arguably getting smaller, which is why accelerator programmes like ours are crucial for incubating at the early stages,” said Sam Shafie, co-founder and CEO of Watchtower & Friends.

WTF Accelerator Programme Cohort 8 alumnus Sheikh Ezaiddin, founder of Ejen2u, said: “WTF is more than a training ground—it’s a launchpad for early-stage founders. They go beyond just investing or incubating; they believe, trust, and push us to grow.”

A sentiment echoed by Cohort 4 alumnus Kyan Liew, founder of ParkIt Malaysia, who added: “ParkIt would not be where we are without the initial help from WTF. Their guidance truly validated our vision, and they continue to be an invaluable source of support as we enter the next stage of our startup journey.”

Other notable alumni that have emerged from WTF’s decade of accelerating startups include logistics booking platform TheLorry; Lapasar, a B2B e-commerce wholesale platform; MoneyMatch, a fintech specialising in international money transfers; and Omnimatics, which provides automotive IoT solutions for fleet management. Each of these success stories has created a multiplier effect, impacting their communities, industries, the startup ecosystem, and the Malaysian economy.

Reflecting on WTF’s vision and how it has evolved over the past ten years, Kashminder Singh, co-founder of Watchtower & Friends, said: “The vision of WTF has always been simple: to build startups that make a difference and contribute to Malaysia’s progress. With the support of partners, not only in the government but also in the private sector, we are able to redefine what that means, with WTF acting as a catalyst towards championing local heroes and rallying confidence behind the capabilities of local startups and accelerators alike.”

Amidst celebrations of its tenth anniversary, WTF is already looking ahead to the decade to come. Its flagship WTF Accelerator Programme is setting its sights on greater collaboration opportunities, expanding its reach to inspire more startups, and continuing to drive a lasting legacy of positive change in the Malaysian startup ecosystem.

Startups looking to accelerate their business are invited to connect with WTF and prepare to excel alongside like-minded, passionate entrepreneurs, partners, and stakeholders from the government and corporate sectors. The WTF Accelerator Programme also welcomes individuals and organisations keen to collaborate and contribute to the cause, whether as mentors or investors.

For more information on Watchtower & Friends and the WTF Accelerator Programme, please visit: https://www.watchtowerfriends.com