Most Timorese businesses start informally and stay informal — not because founders lack ambition, but because the path from idea to registered, funded, growing company is scattered across offices, donor programs and word of mouth. Training happens, but you hear about it too late. Grants exist, but the call closed last month. Registration is free and fast, but everyone still thinks it's hard.

Startups of Timor is being built to put that whole path in one place: plain-language guidance to start a company, the national calendar of training and competitions, a public showcase where every founder gets a profile, community crowdfunding in cash or SOT Coin, and the directory of every organisation that supports entrepreneurs — from IADE to the micro-finance institutions.

And because we are part of the S.O.T. Group family — Stays, Services, Shop, Sites, SOT Coin — a startup here doesn't graduate into thin air. When you're ready to sell, your business moves onto the marketplace where your customers already are.

What we believe

• The first sale teaches more than the tenth workshop.
• A registered business is a stronger business — and registering should feel as easy as it legally is.
• Community money deserves community accountability: every pledge and every update on the record.
• Founders deserve world-class tools that run on an ordinary phone.