How to Apply for a Business Incubator in Bali

After weeks of coworking in Canggu and sipping kopi-tubruk at sunset, I discovered that Bali isn’t just a tourism playground. It’s quietly becoming a thriving startup ecosystem. Groups like Bali Start-ups & Tech Community host networking dinners every month, where you’ll meet remote founders, local entrepreneurs, even ex-Facebook engineers, all over casual conversations and a chilled Bintang. And the event calendar? It’s full! Ideal for founders who are exploring how startup ecosystems function and want to embed themselves in Bali’s community and network. Being here gave me a dual advantage: I could live somewhere inspiring and apply to incubators that value the sustainability/social-impact mindset. Which brings us to the how-to.

Step 1: Pick the Right Incubator for You

Not all incubators are equal. Some focus purely on tech, some on tourism, others on social impact, sustainability or the creative economy (which matters in Bali).
Here’s what I looked at:

• Focus area: Does the incubator prioritise startups with strong social or environmental impact? If your idea is about sustainable tourism, clean tech or community empowerment, Bali is especially favourable.
• Mentorship vs funding vs networking: Some incubators are heavy on capital, others emphasise mentorship or access to networks (especially helpful if you’re remote/travel-based).
• Location & vibe: Because I was already working remotely from Bali, I wanted somewhere I could integrate with local startup events, and still be connected globally.
• Culture fit: The mindset of the community mattered. Bali’s startup scene is often laid-back, friendly, and collaborative rather than ultra-corporate. For example, the Startup Grind Bali chapter values “friends not contacts, giving first not taking”.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application Materials

Once I found a few incubators that matched my idea (a remote-friendly travel-tech service with local community benefits), I prepared these essentials:

• Business plan: Outline what you do, who you serve, how you’ll make money, what impact you’ll deliver. In Bali’s context, emphasise how your startup contributes to local sustainability, community or innovation.
• Team details: Incubators care about who’s behind the idea. Whether it’s you solo + contractors, or a small team, share backgrounds, roles, strengths. I included how being mobile (and using tools like the ORA eSIM to stay connected globally) was a strategic advantage.
• Pitch deck: Clear and visual. Who's the problem? What’s your solution? Why in Bali/region? What traction or next-steps?
• Support materials: Sometimes they ask for demo/prototype, references, business model canvas, even video intro.
• Alignment with impact/sustainability: Because many Bali programmes favour socially-driven or eco-friendly startups, I explicitly framed my project’s local benefit: how it helps Bali’s economy, reduces eco-footprint, leverages remote work.

Step 3: Submit and Then Engage

Once I hit “submit”, the work didn’t stop.

• Attend info sessions/events: Many incubators host webinars or networking sessions you can find on platforms like Eventbrite and Meetup.
• Stay connected locally: Even while you wait, go to local meetups. I attended the “26th Community Networking Dinner/Drinks” at Yema Kitchen, Canggu on 23 Oct 2025. Great for making early contacts.
• Refine as you wait: Based on feedback or your own reflection, tweak your business plan or deck. Some applications have interview rounds or live demo days.

Step 4: If Accepted – Make the Most of It

When I got accepted, I made sure to maximize:

• Mentorship: Engage actively. Schedule one-on-ones, show up with questions.
• Connections: Bali’s unique blend of local/regional/international founders means you can build a global mindset while on island time.
• Remote advantage: Working from Bali means staying always-connected, often across time-zones. I used my ORA eSIM to travel without swapping SIMs, staying reachable for mentors/investors back home, and even working while doing field visits in Bali’s suburbs.
• Local integration: Use Bali as your living lab–test in local communities, gather feedback, lean into Bali’s sustainable-tourism narrative.
• Follow-through metrics: Show your progress: milestone achievements, prototype built, pilot run, social-impact outcomes. These matter if you want next-round funding or extended support.

Why Bali makes sense? Especially for digital nomad founders

• The cost of living and operating is often lower compared to major Western hubs, allowing your runway to stretch.
• You get access to a thriving community of remote workers, startups, creatives and entrepreneurs who choose Bali for its lifestyle and productivity.
• The time-zone of Indonesia (Asia/Makassar WITA) means you can work with surrounding Asian markets and still have overlap with Europe/America if needed. Using ORA eSIM’s global connectivity solves the “local SIM/setup” headache so your communication stays seamless.
• Many incubators here emphasise social/sustainable impact, which resonates with the local ethos and gives you a meaningful narrative.

Final checks before you hit “Apply”

• Does your idea clearly articulate why Bali/Indonesia you (not just anywhere else)?
• Did you highlight team/skills + why you’re uniquely placed?
• Did you show measurable potential (even at an early stage)?
• Are you prepared for a remote/in-person combo? Will you attend sessions, networking, and do field visits?
• Did you set your connectivity right (so you aren’t slowed by roaming or losing contact)? That’s where ORA eSIM gives you peace of mind.
• Are you ready for impact: local community, sustainability, responsible growth? These carry weight in Bali-incubators.

FAQs

Do I have to live in Bali full-time to join an incubator here?
Not always. Some programmes allow remote participation or hybrid attendance, but many expect some physical presence for networking or workshops. It’s best to check each incubator’s terms.

What kind of startups are Bali incubators looking for?
Many favour startups with a sustainability or social-impact angle (eco‐tourism, community tech, remote work support), though traditional tech/AI/fin-tech also appear. The local context offers a plus if you integrate it.

How important is staying connected while working from Bali?
Very. When you’re in workshops, mentor calls or Pitch Days, your connectivity and ability to manage global time zones matter. Using something like ORA eSIM means you can travel, move around Bali, and still join virtual meetings without swapping SIMs or losing access.

What should I include in the business plan for a Bali-based incubator?
Cover: problem + solution, market size, business model, team, traction/next steps, why Bali/Indonesia (location advantage), community/sustainability impact, metrics for growth. Plus appendices: deck, team bios, maybe budget projections.