State-controlled Telekomunikasi Indonesia, better known as Telkom, sealed an agreement with US-based business accelerator Plug and Play on the side of President Joko Widodo's Wednesday visit to Silicon Valley, marking the start of a collaboration for a startup-coaching program, an executive revealed.

"The agreement meant to support startups ecosystem in Indonesia by building bridges between Indonesia and the Silicon Valley," Ery Punta, Telkom Digital Service deputy executive general manager, told the Jakarta Globe on Thursday (18/02).

Ery said the agreement covers sourcing deals which will provide access for Indonesian startups to Silicon Valley. Telkom's own startup incubator Indigo will send at least two startups to Silicon Valley in the second quarter of this year.

"It goes both ways. We are looking for innovative seeds from startups in the Silicon Valley to cooperate with Telkom group while sending chosen Indigo startups for an immersion program," Ery said.

Telkom is yet to select the startups, as they are still in the incubation program.

In a previous meeting last year between Indonesia's Communications and IT Minister Rudiantara and seven US-based business incubators, Plug and Play has noted its interest in Indonesia and offered assistance in coaching local mentors.

The collaboration is part of the government's aim to create at least 1,000 technopreneurs by 2020 and to grow the digital economy in the country.

Saeed Amidi, Plug and Play chief executive, reportedly mentioned Indonesia as the "digital energy of Asia" during President Joko Widodo's visit to his office before the signing.

"We need to build a competent mentors network. Mentors are not only smart and competent people, but those who able to open doors and help to direct people. ... Our main strategy is to build a strong and sustain ecosystem foundation that is not only focused on capacity, but also to open and build motivations," Rudiantara said in a statement.

"We will ask more founders from Silicon Valley to share the mindset, not to share about investment alone," he added.

(Jakarta Globe)