Airwallex has launched a refreshed version of its ‘Airwallex for Startups’ programme, a global initiative aimed at helping founders transform their financial operations into a driver of growth and innovation. The programme begins in Singapore and will expand to other markets in the coming months.
A new approach to financial growth
Many startups struggle to sustain growth due to weak financial management. According to industry data, 90 per cent of startups fail, with 38 per cent citing cash flow problems as the main cause. Airwallex aims to address this issue by helping startups view financial operations as a core growth function rather than a back-office task.
The updated programme introduces three main pillars: stage-appropriate financial infrastructure, strategic CFO mentorship, and an AI innovation sandbox. It combines access to Airwallex’s financial infrastructure with expert guidance and practical resources designed to help founders build sustainable business models.
Lucy Liu, Co-founder and President of Airwallex, said, “The best ideas don’t just need funding; they need the right financial foundations to scale. Feedback from our community has sharpened our focus. We’re now aligning our expertise and experience to deliver what founders value most from Airwallex: access to the tools, knowledge, and networks that turn financial operations into a growth advantage.”
Tailored support for each growth stage
The first pillar, stage-appropriate financial infrastructure, provides startups with access to Airwallex products and financial benefits that scale with their growth, from pre-seed to Series A and beyond. This approach ensures that the support founders receive evolves alongside their businesses.
The second pillar, strategic financial mentorship, connects participants with seasoned CFOs through the Startup CFO Expert Panel. These finance leaders have steered some of the region’s most successful tech firms through both expansion and downturns. Founders will attend small-group sessions and masterclasses covering key topics such as cash flow management, fundraising preparation, valuation, and investor relations.
The programme officially launches with the Startup CFO Summit in Singapore, bringing together more than 100 founders, 20 CFOs, and selected investors. The event includes workshops on the financial principles that determine early-stage success.
Supporting innovation through AI collaboration
The third pillar, the AI Sandbox, focuses on supporting AI-native startups. Selected participants receive real business challenges from Airwallex—such as improving customer acquisition or automating workflows—and collaborate directly with internal teams to develop and test solutions in real-world conditions. The most promising startups may progress into design-partner relationships with Airwallex, allowing them to validate their solutions with live customers and strengthen their fundraising prospects.
The inaugural AI Sandbox cohort will explore use cases centred on growth and productivity. This initiative reinforces Airwallex’s commitment to supporting innovative startups that integrate AI into their business models.
Building a connected ecosystem for growth
Beyond the core programme, Airwallex has partnered with OpenAI, Google Cloud, HubSpot, and other technology leaders to provide startups with exclusive perks across AI, cloud infrastructure, and growth tools. These partnerships give founders a comprehensive technology stack to accelerate development and expansion.
The company’s refreshed initiative builds on its earlier efforts, which included financial support, community-building events, and business acceleration grants. In the previous phase, Airwallex worked with partners such as Square Peg, Jungle Ventures, and NextGen Ventures to deliver learning and networking opportunities. This latest evolution takes the programme further by combining infrastructure, mentorship, and innovation support to help founders grow confidently beyond borders.
