Rakuten and Techstars have partnered to launch an accelerator for startups developing technologies that can be used with social messaging apps.
E-commerce firm Rakuten has partnered accelerator operator Techstars to launch an accelerator in Singapore for companies developing social messaging technologies.
The vehicle, dubbed Rakuten Accelerator, Powered by Techstars, will be particularly interested in companies working with Viber, the instant messaging and voice communication app Rakuten acquired for $900m in 2014.
The initiative is open to early-stage startups developing a range of technologies including artificial intelligence, chatbots and chat-based commerce, cryptocurrency, virtual reality and augmented reality, advertising technology, and voice and…
