ShelterTech Announces 20 New Startups for its Accelerators Program

ShelterTech, a tech-backed program for solving homelessness started by Habitat for Humanity, has announced the 20 startups and scale-ups joining its latest accelerators working towards helping low-income families solve various housing issues. 

ShelterTech offers masterclasses, mentorships, and connects investors and partners with companies looking to work towards better housing for all through the use of charity and technology. 

These new participants will go through a rigorous program that will help develop and better their business plans through technical training, product demonstrations, along with one-on-one mentorship and support from experts in the industry. One such mentor is Steve Melhuish, co-founder of PropertyGuru, one of the largest online property portals in Asia. 

Lizan Kuster, Associate Director for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Habitat’s Terwilliger Center, explained: 

“We were very impressed by the quality and potential from applicants. It was not easy narrowing it down to ten startups, but these are the ventures we believe hold the greatest potential to grow and multiply their impact.”

ShelterTech selected these 20 new companies because they embody the movement towards making homes more sustainable and resilient. Their products and services are meant for offering better housing that is more affordable for the most vulnerable. 

In Southeast Asia, the cohort is comprised of:

• AffordAble Abodes, Malaysia: Develops affordable, low-cost housing that would make it possible for Bottom-of-Pyramid (BoP) populations to have their own homes.
• Nay Yar Housing, Myanmar: Offers a marketplace for apartment-sharing listings.
• Billion Bricks, Singapore: A unique and forward-thinking non-profit that aims to solve the housing problems in Singapore.
• Pounamu, Myanmar: A traditional buildings development company.
• Cubo Modular, Philippines: A modular housing solution designed to provide housing to low-income workers in Metro Manila.
• Sampangan, Indonesia: An innovative waste processing solution using carbonization technology to efficiently decompose any kind of solid waste into carbon for organic agriculture and other industries.
• Gradana, Indonesia: A property fintech company that addresses the issues of limited funding alternatives.
• Social Light, Philippines: Focuses on the WiFi market in providing data analytics to venues.
• My Dream Home, Cambodia: A home developer focused on providing environmentally sound housing for those in need.
• TapEffect, Cambodia: Works towards bringing clean water to houses across Cambodia.