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Nicole Yap
APAC Partnerships Manager, Google for Startups
Nicole Yap is a prominent figure in the startup ecosystem, currently serving as the APAC Partnerships Manager for Google for Startups at Google since January 2022.4 With a diverse background in entrepreneurship, venture capital, and startup acceleration, Nicole has established herself as a key player in supporting and nurturing startups across Southeast Asia.
Career Highlights
Google for Startups:: In her current role, Nicole works to support startups and advance the startup ecosystem for 55% of the world's population.4 She connects ecosystem partners and their startups to the best resources Google has to offer.4
Startup Acceleration:: Prior to her current position, Nicole was a Mentor for Google for Startups Accelerator from June 2020 to December 2021, where she facilitated OKRs, Founder's Lab, and Founder Mini Labs.4 She also served as an Anchor Mentor for the inaugural cohort of the Google for Startups Southeast Asia Accelerator.4
Venture Capital:: Nicole worked as a Venture Partner at Moonshot Ventures from March to October 2021, focusing on investing in early-stage, women-led ventures delivering impact across Southeast Asia.4
Entrepreneurship:: Nicole has founded and led several ventures, including:
- Digitaraya: A Jakarta-based startup accelerator she co-founded in 2017, which has supported over 73 startups from 12 countries.2
- 8SIAN: An NFT project featuring 8,888 digital representations of Asian women, which she founded in 2021.3
- INSTEA: A creative tea and coffee bar franchise with 13 outlets in Malaysia and Australia, which she has owned since 2019.3
Education and Background
Nicole holds a BASc in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo, an MBA from HEC Paris, and an MSc in Management Studies from the MIT Sloan School of Management.1
Throughout her career, Nicole has demonstrated a strong commitment to empowering startups, particularly those led by women, and promoting diversity in the tech industry. Her experience spans across various sectors, including AI, blockchain, and traditional business, making her a valuable asset in the rapidly evolving startup landscape of Southeast Asia.



