Aligned with MDI Ventures’ commitment to a sustainable future, this 2023 Impact Report highlights how our investments reflect our dedication to positive impact. We aim to ensure our portfolio companies make decisions that support sustainable development. By showcasing DELOS’
contributions to their industry and communities, we hope to inspire others to adopt similar practices in sustainability. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) guide both our mission and DELOS’ ongoing efforts to drive sustainable progress. DELOS is committed to a
sustainable future through its TIDE framework, which emphasizes Technical Excellence, Improving
Communities, Demonstrably Good Products, and Environmental Consciousness. Their focus on empowering medium-sized aquaculture farms highlights their dedication to supporting local communities by leveraging innovative technologies, fostering strategic partnerships, and maintaining a strong commitment to excellence. We are committed to contributing to a sustainable future by partnering with companies that share this vision. Doing good for the people around us is also a smart business strategy, as sustainability benefits both society and long-term success. By driving positive change in the communities we engage with, we ultimately create value for ourselves.

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Aligned with MDI Ventures’ commitment to a sustainable future, this 2023 Impact Report highlights how our investments reflect our dedication to positive impact. We aim to ensure our portfolio companies make decisions that support sustainable development.

Delos Impact Report 2023 - Navigating the TIDEs of Change

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Aligned with MDI Ventures’ commitment to a sustainable future, this 2023 Impact Report highlights how our investments reflect our dedication to positive impact. We aim to ensure our portfolio companies make decisions that support sustainable development. By showcasing Qoala’s
contributions to their industry and communities, we hope to inspire others to adopt similar practices in sustainability. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) guide both our mission and Qoala's ongoing efforts to drive sustainable progress. Qoala’s commitment to
financial inclusion focuses on providing microinsurance to protect lower-income customers, while also offering internal education for insurance agents and expanding job opportunities through Qoala Plus. Their rigorous monitoring of agent satisfaction not only enhances the client experience
but also helps identify key areas for improvement, allowing Qoala to better serve the users and communities that benefit from their services. We are committed to contributing to a sustainable
future by partnering with companies that share this vision. Doing good for the people around us is also a smart business strategy, as sustainability benefits both society and long-term success. By driving positive change in the communities we engage with, we ultimately create value for ourselves.

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Qoala Impact Report 2023 - Expanding Access to Insurance

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Aligned with MDI Ventures’ commitment to a sustainable future, this 2023 Impact Report highlights how our investments reflect our dedication to positive impact. We aim to ensure our portfolio companies make decisions that support sustainable development. By showcasing SwipeRx’s contributions to their industry and communities, we hope to inspire others to adopt similar practices in sustainability. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
guide both our mission and SwipeRx’s ongoing efforts to drive sustainable progress. SwipeRx has positioned itself as a key player in the pharmaceutical industry, committed to improving access
to medicine. Their Theory of Change is built on three core pillars: Quality, Availability, and Affordability. By focusing on supporting smaller pharmacies, SwipeRx is able to make medicine more accessible and affordable for lower-income communities, ensuring that those who need it most have better access to essential healthcare. We are committed to contributing to a sustainable
future by partnering with companies that share this vision. Doing good for the people around us is also a smart business strategy, as sustainability benefits both society and long-term success. By driving positive change in the communities we engage with, we ultimately create value for ourselves.

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SwipeRX Impact Report 2023 - Bridging the Gap: Pharmacies as Pillars of Community and Health

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Aligned with MDI Ventures’ commitment to a sustainable future, this 2023 Impact Report highlights how our investments reflect our dedication to positive impact. We aim to ensure our portfolio companies make decisions that support sustainable development. By showcasing JULO’s
contributions to their industry and communities, we hope to inspire others to adopt similar practices in sustainability. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) guide both our mission and JULO’s ongoing efforts to drive sustainable progress. JULO is committed to offering a digital credit platform that serves business owners who have been underserved by traditional funding sources. Their strong focus on corporate social responsibility and ecofriendly
initiatives further reflects their dedication to aligning the Company with sustainability goals and contributing to a more sustainable future. We are committed to contributing to a sustainable
future by partnering with companies that share this vision. Doing good for the people around us is also a smart business strategy, as sustainability benefits both society and long-term success.
By driving positive change in the communities we engage with, we ultimately create value for ourselves.

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Julo Impact Report 2023 - Path to Sustainable Profitability and Financial Health

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Aligned with MDI Ventures’ commitment to a sustainable future, this 2023 Impact Report highlights how our investments reflect our dedication to positive impact. We aim to ensure our portfolio companies make decisions that support sustainable development.
By showcasing Paxel’s contributions to their industry and communities, we hope to inspire others to adopt similar practices in sustainability. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) guide both our mission and Paxel’s ongoing efforts to drive sustainable progress. Paxel’s core values of delivering kindness are reflected in their commitment to sustainability, with a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2027. Through the use of electric motorcycles for its Heroes (courier partners), eco-friendly services like PaxelRecycle, and a collaboration with Alvaboard, they are actively reducing their environmental footprint. Paxel’s sophisticated sorting system also allows Heroes to deliver more packages within the same area, minimizing carbon footprints and increasing productivity. These efforts highlight their dedication to sustainability and operational efficiency. We are committed to contributing to a sustainable future by partnering with companies that share this vision. Doing good for the people around us is also a smart business strategy, as sustainability benefits both society and long-term success. By driving positive change in the communities we engage with, we ultimately create value for ourselves.

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Paxel Impact Report 2023 - Kindness Delivered: Strengthening the Economy through Empowering Communities

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Aligned with MDI Ventures' commitment to a sustainable future, this 2023 Impact Report highlights how our investments reflect our dedication to positive impact. We aim to ensure our portfolio companies make decisions that support sustainable development.
By showcasing Aruna’s contributions to their industry and communities, we hope to inspire others to adopt similar practices in sustainability. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN
SDGs) guide both our mission and Aruna’s ongoing efforts to drive sustainable progress.
Aruna's network of over 55,000 fishers across approximately 150 locations in Indonesia enables them to have a substantial impact on the national fishing industry by streamlining the supply chain
and promoting sustainable fishing practices. Their commitment to sustainability is evident in their use of solar power and various programs designed to benefit their partnering fishers. Aruna is dedicated to not only making their operations more sustainable but also supporting the people who are essential to their success. We are committed to contributing to a sustainable future by partnering with companies that share this vision. Doing good for the people around us is also
a smart business strategy, as sustainability benefits both society and long-term success. By driving positive change in the communities we engage with, we ultimately create value for ourselves.

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Aligned with MDI Ventures' commitment to a sustainable future, this 2023 Impact Report highlights how our investments reflect our dedication to positive impact. We aim to ensure our portfolio companies make decisions that support sustainable development.

Aruna Impact Report 2023 - Fostering Sustainable Fisheries towards Blue Economy

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Aligned with MDI Ventures’ commitment to a sustainable future, this 2023 Impact Report highlights how our investments reflect our dedication to positive impact. We aim to ensure our portfolio companies make decisions that support sustainable development.
By showcasing Cermati’s contributions to their industry and communities, we hope to
inspire others to adopt similar practices in sustainability. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) guide both our mission and Cermati’s ongoing efforts to drive sustainable progress. Cermati have a strong on corporate social responsibility, and eco-friendly initiatives further reflect their dedication to aligning the Company with sustainability goals and contributing to a more sustainable future. We are committed to contributing to a sustainable future by partnering with companies that share this vision. Doing good for the people around us is also a smart business strategy, as sustainability benefits both society and long-term success. By driving positive change in
the communities we engage with, we ultimately create value for ourselves.

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Cermati Impact Report 2023 - More inclusive Financial Future for Indonesians

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Aligned with MDI Ventures’ commitment to a sustainable future, this 2023 Impact Report highlights how our investments reflect our dedication to positive impact. We aim to ensure our portfolio companies make decisions that support sustainable development. By showcasing Amartha’s contributions to their industry and communities, we hope to inspire others to adopt similar practices in sustainability. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) guide both our mission and Amartha’s ongoing efforts todrive sustainable progress.

Amartha empowers women entrepreneurs by providing financial resources and educational support, helping grow new businesses and unlocking potential in underserved communities. Their initiatives, including financial aid and leadership development for young women in rural areas and top universities, demonstrate a strong commitment to increasing female participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, dan Mathematics (STEAM) fields. Beyond offering financial services, Amartha drives meaningful change by promoting gender equality and leadership in these key sectors. We are committed to contributing to a sustainable future by partnering with companies that share this vision. Doing good for the people around us is also a smart business strategy, as sustainability benefits both society and long-term success. By driving positive change in the communities we engage with, we ultimately create value for ourselves.


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Aligned with MDI Ventures’ commitment to a sustainable future, this 2023 Impact Report highlights how our investments reflect our dedication to positive impact.

Amartha Impact Report 2023 - Building Impact Through Digital Transformation

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In our commitment to cultivating positive change and steering towards a sustainable future, MDI Ventures is pleased to introduce the Impact Report 2023. As a strategic investor in impactful ventures such as SwipeRx, our dedication to fostering positive environmental and social transformations is at the core of our mission. 

Through this report and others in this collection, we aim to showcase members of our portfolio who align with our impact values, and in doing so, inspire similar companies with the potential for meaningful impact. By sharing insights into the companies we've invested in, we aspire to encourage a broader dialogue on how businesses can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world. MDI Ventures remains unwavering in its pursuit of impactful investments that align with global sustainability objectives, and we invite others to join us on this journey towards creating a better future for all.

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As a strategic investor in impactful ventures such as SwipeRx, our dedication to fostering positive environmental and social transformations is at the core of our mission. 

SwipeRX Impact Report 2022: Transforming The Pharma Industry In Southeast Asia

MDI Impact Report - SwipeRx.pdf

Aruna’s journey in transforming the fishing industry reflects a steadfast commitment to positive impact across various critical themes. Through their focus on Digital Empowerment, Access to Quality Education, Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries, Environment and Clean Energy, Aruna has not only revolutionized the fisheries sector but also aligned its mission with Sustainable Development Goals. 

Through active empowerment of the fishermen community and the promotion of enhanced traceability and transparency in the fishing process, Aruna’s unwavering dedication to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration positions the company as a key player in making Indonesia the global maritime axis by 2045.

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Aruna’s journey in transforming the fishing industry reflects a steadfast commitment to positive impact across various critical themes. Through their focus on Digital Empowerment, Access to Quality Education, Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries, Environment and Clean Energy, Aruna has not only revolutionized the fisheries sector but also aligned its mission with Sustainable Development Goals. Through active empowerment of the fishermen community and the promotion of enhanced traceability and transparency in the fishing process, Aruna’s unwavering dedication to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration positions the company as a key player in making Indonesia the global maritime axis by 2045.

Aruna Impact Report 2022: Transforming The Artisanal Fishery Sector

MDI Impact Report - Aruna.pdf

KoinWorks is dedicated to making a meaningful impact that aligns with the SDGs, particularly in the areas of Financial Access, Financial & Business Literacy and Digital Empowerment. As it seeks to advance SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), KoinWorks has provided substantial financial access support to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), fostering entrepreneurship, financial support, and job creation. Within this, there is a focus on contributing to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by empowering women-led enterprises.

In parallel, the Financial & Business Literacy theme addresses SDG 4 (Quality Education) through digital trainings, encompassing numerous financial literacy events and engaging a broad audience. KoinWorks further contributes to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by empowering the underserved through a suite of digital tools. Through this approach, KoinWorks’ seeks to contribute to sustainable development, aligning its impact themes with the broader global goals outlined by the United Nation (UN).

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KoinWorks is dedicated to making a meaningful impact that aligns with the SDGs, particularly in the areas of Financial Access, Financial & Business Literacy and Digital Empowerment.

KoinWorks Impact Report 2022: Leveling Up Beyond Finance

MDI Impact Report - KoinWorks.pdf

This whitepaper delves into the opportunities and challenges of corporate venture capital (CVC) for large, legacy enterprises, with a specific focus on state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Indonesia and the ASEAN region, as well as how businesses can effectively enter the CVC industry to drive outsized growth.

Starting with the common problems faced by large enterprises in today's business climate and how startups can help solve these issues. Then, it examines the cautionary tales and case studies of disruption in the industry, where innovative startups have overtaken legacy incumbents.

It also emphasizes that SOEs and large corporations must acknowledge and tackle internal challenges. They need to reevaluate processes, products, and red flags that hinder future success.

We bring you to the next section to delve into understanding CVC as a model, and how large legacy players can leverage it to their advantage. It provides a snapshot of the ASEAN region's CVC landscape and an overview of Indonesia's largest CVC players.

The paper also stresses the significance of conducting a comprehensive SWOT assessment for corporations, offering a checklist for reference. It also explores strategies for handling threats, both offensively and defensively, for CVCs in Indonesia.

Not to mention, the next section scrutinizes ASEAN's capital market liquidity, forecasting an upswing in CVC returns and favouring IPOs for startups aiming at higher growth. The final section outlines SOEs' entry strategies into CVC, emphasizing the advantages of collaborating with established CVC firms like MDI Ventures, providing valuable expertise, corporate synergy, and resource efficiency for a superior CVC experience.


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This whitepaper delves into the opportunities and challenges of corporate venture capital (CVC) for large, legacy enterprises, with a specific focus on state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Indonesia and the ASEAN region, as well as how businesses can effectively enter the CVC industry to drive outsized growth.

How Large Enterprise Can Enter CVC

Get White Paper: How Large Can Enterprise Enter CVC

Get White Paper: How Large Enterprise Can Enter CVC

MDI-EnterCVC.pdf

AriseConviction - The Evolutionary Growth of Digital Opportunities Introduces a New Era of Creator Economy.

The emergence of newer social media platforms encouraged the cultural and generational shift, where being a #creator is considered a viable and increasingly desired career.

For the purpose of clarity, there are 3 different kinds of creators:

- The Influencer - people with respected perspectives to influence
- The Teacher - or educators, are people engaged in teaching materials
- The Artist - or creators of stories, artwork, NFTs, etc

Indonesia’s creator economy is estimated to be valued at USD 9.15 billion in 2021 with a 72.9% growth rate compared to 2020. However, challenges for creators around financing, operations, and monetization still remains. Comparing it to the U.S market, there is still untapped potential of 81.65%.

There is still room for innovative solutions in this industry to optimize and amplify existing creators in terms of financials, operational efficiencies, and monetizations. These solutions can also be very niche to different types of creator categories (beauty, gamers, educators, etc.)

What type of solutions do you think can empower and amplify the creator economy in Indonesia?

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AriseConviction - The evolutionary growth of digital opportunities introduces a new era of Creator Economy. The emergence of newer social media platforms encouraged the cultural and generational shift, where being a creator is considered a viable and increasingly desired career. For the purpose of clarity, there are

Arise Conviction: Evolutionary Growth of Digital Opportunities

ariseconviction-creatoreconomy.pdf

This report is an update from our last supply chain report in 2019. We removed 387 startups from our last list of supply chain companies (didn’t represent supply chain or was too old) and we added 598 new startups to our list (startups we missed before and some new).

We updated our report to not only highlight how all supply chain startups build a competitive product by function, feature or use case; but we also showcase how each category has changed/evolved. This report is color coded to reflect changes, see how to read this report at the bottom of the executive summary.

For those seeing this report for the first time, we attempted to map the entire supply chain startup ecosystem (1000+ logistic startups). We then filtered these startups into 10 categories and labeled the top startups per category. We then looked through every startup to understand how they innovate by function, feature and use case. Having both a macro and detailed view of the ecosystem allows us to predict disruption within the supply chain ecosystem.

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By Kyle Kling

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This report is an update from our last supply chain report in 2019. We removed 387 startups from our last list of supply chain companies (didn’t represent supply chain or was too old) and we added 598 new startups to our list (startups we missed before and some new).

Supply Chain Startup Report 2022

2022-Supply-Chain-Industry-Report.pdf

The Bloom of Agriculture in Indonesia: Yielding Next Gen. Agri Conglomerate Leveraging Tech Orchestration

Indonesia’s vast and abundant fertile soils make us a major global key producer of a wide variety of agricultural products, contributing to 13.45% of Indonesia’s GDP. Arise has witnessed the transformative potential of #agritech in Indonesia as a solution to the existing challenges in this industry.

The technology potentially can holistically transform across all agricultural value chains:

- Market Linkage - Farm Inputs
- Quality Management and Traceability
- Financial Offerings
- Supply Chain Tech and Output Market Linkage
- Precision Agriculture and Farm Management

These improvements can result in better profitability, higher efficiency, and improved productivity across crops, poultry, livestock, aquaculture, and forestry which is where Arise has positioned itself in the #AriseConviction to support Agri-Tech companies in the space.

Do you think improving agriculture production in Indonesia can lead to far greater exports?

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The Bloom of Agriculture in Indonesia: Yielding Next Gen. Agri Conglomerate Leveraging Tech Orchestration
Indonesia’s vast and abundant fertile soils make us a major global key producer of a wide variety of agricultural products, contributing to 13.45% of Indonesia’s GDP.

Arise Conviction: The Bloom of Agriculture in Indonesia

ariseconviction-agriculture.pdf

Indonesia is the largest archipelago country in the world. 70% of its territory is the sea which supports over 3,000 Bony fishes and more than 850 sharks, rays, and chimeras. The fisheries industry employs about 12 million Indonesians which are 2.7 Million of whom are independent fishermen.

If we look deeper into the overall sea production outputs, the industry can categorize into three big segments:

- Shrimp: 1.38 MT (37%) - US$7.03 Bn (77%)
- Fish: 1.26 MT (34%) - US$2 bn (22%)
- Algae: 107 MT (29%) - US$0.16 Bn (1%)

As we can see, despite the similar volume, Shrimp represent a significantly higher $$$ proportion due to its nature of high-value products. However, Classic challenges in the multi-layer value chain, low productivity, and lack of financing hinder the archipelago Shrimp industry's $$$ Multi-Billion Dollar untapped potentials.

Thus, a tech-enabled solution that can immerse into farmers' culture and infrastructure will be a great fit. It will result in higher FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio), SR (Survival Rate), and Harvest, making it a killer flywheel for #Shrimp Farmers which is where Arise #AriseConviction will be to support MDI Ventures and other Major VCs investments in the other fishery category.

What do you think are other solutions needed by the #Shrimp #Fishermen?

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Indonesia is the largest archipelago country in the world. 70% of its territory is the sea which supports over 3,000 Bony fishes and more than 850 sharks, rays, and chimeras. The fisheries industry employs about 12 million Indonesians which are 2.7 Million of whom are independent fishermen.

Arise Conviction: Indonesia Fishery Industry Revolution

ariseconviction-fishery.pdf

With the increasing digital adoption driven by the pandemic globally, the B2C Marketplace has been the one that benefits the most on the surface. But in Asia, it contributes to almost 80% of the Global B2B Transaction Sales, reaching up to US$ 6.1tn showing a significant untapped opportunity on the other side of the coin, which caught our attention in Arise.

Unlike B2C Marketplace, generalist B2C Marketplace encounters significant limits due to the different nature of the industries - requiring a tailored and specialized approach. A Similar trend is also emerging in South East Asia, taking a different path of how B2C Marketplace playbook. Instead of "a winner take all" to "various winners in every vertical" such as:

- Agriculture Inputs
- F&B Retail
- Consumer Goods
- Construction Supplies
- Manufacture
- Office Supplies
- etc

Echoed by emerging leaders in B2B Marketplace that already got backing from MDI Ventures and Other Major VCs. Leaving Agriculture inputs, Construction Supplies and Manufacture remain, this is where #AriseConviction developed by our very own Nathasya Budidjaja Mika A. will be for the next race to reshape the next-billion digital users.

What other use cases that you think are still untapped within the #B2B?

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With the increasing digital adoption driven by the pandemic globally, the B2C Marketplace has been the one that benefits the most on the surface. But in Asia, it contributes to almost 80% of the Global B2B Transaction Sales, reaching up to US$ 6.1tn showing a significant untapped opportunity on the other side ...

Arise Conviction: B2B Marketplace Takes the Spotlight

ariseconviction-b2b.pdf

Multiple global catalysts have driven the adoption of open API architecture, gradually changed how stakeholders interact.

A similar trend is also emerging in South East Asia, taking the path of how conventional marketplace being adopted in the beginning and started the digital revolution in the region

Echoed by emerging leaders with API-based platforms that already got backing from MDI Ventures and Other Major VCs. Leaving Logistic and Commerce remain, this is where #AriseConviction for the next race to reshape the next-billion digital users will be.

What other use cases that you think will be the most disruptive of all?

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Multiple global catalysts have driven the adoption of open API architecture, gradually changed how stakeholders interact.

A Similar trend is also emerging in South East Asia, taking the path of how conventional marketplace was adopted in the beginning and started the digital revolution in the region ...

Arise Conviction: From X2X to API Marketplace

ariseconviction-apimarketplace.pdf

In today’s economy, digital disruption is the new normal as the Internet has virtually transformed every segment of the business world. From OTT to P2P, digital disruptors have found new ways of distributing media, information, goods, and even wealth.

Venture capital (VC) has been a major driving force behind the success of digital disruptors as the funds provide much capital to reach a scale to disrupt incumbent players. In the US, disruptors such as Netflix, Amazon, Whatsapp, Airbnb and Uber had taken over much of their brick-and-mortar counterparts. In Southeast Asia, companies such as Go-Jek, Grab, Traveloka, and Tokopedia are doing much of similar effort to carve out significant market share in each of their respective sectors.

Established businesses will have no choice but to respond to these digital disruptors. Technology adoption can happen almost anywhere and at anytime. They must find ways to participate in this adoption or risk decline.

For over the last decade, telecommunication industry has been disrupted by multiple waves of technological advancements. It has happened with Whatsapp taking over significant portions of the voice and text market, with Netflix in premium video content and quite recently, high-profile mega deals such as Go-Jek, Tokopedia, and Traveloka has been marked as the beginning of local tech companies dominating the competitive landscape.

As the wave of digital disruptions are now ‘home-grown’, businesses need to reorganize and respond by launching similar digital initiatives to anticipate the upcoming innovation trends

In particular, industry convergence in financial services is accelerating as Indonesia’s ecommerce giants began to consolidate, and digital transformation is taking place in the financial services sector that requires banks and telecommunications companies to use mobile payment to engage customers that are embedded in the ecosystem.

This paper discusses the trend in Indonesia’s mobile payment from a number of perspectives and explores the reasons why some initiatives succeed and others fail. We believe this paper offers an extensive insight for those who would like to understand further about the current Indonesian payment ecosystem, and what would be the key success factors to win the competition.

**The disruptors are here to stay.**

 

Sincerely Yours,

**Nicko Widjaja** | CEO of MDI Ventures

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In today’s economy, digital disruption is the new normal as the Internet has virtually transformed every segment of the business world. From OTT to P2P, digital disruptors have found new ways of distributing media, information, goods, and even wealth.

Mobile Payments In Indonesia: Race to Big Data Domination

mobilepaymentindonesia.pdf

Telkom Indonesia has made a firm commitment to support the development of Indonesia’s startup ecosystem and corporate innovation. Via MDI Ventures, our corporate venture arm, we have set out the vision to bring the best of the world’s innovations into our rapidly emerging markets and expand our border to lead corporate open innovation in Indonesia.

Historically, telecommunication industry has been disrupted by multiple waves of technological disruption over the course of its existence. Telegraphy, once considered as one of main revenue streams in the telco ecosystem, completely lost its relevance after the introduction of e-mail. Fixed line telephone, once the core business of telecommunication companies, will also be completely obsolete in the near future. Today, we are the leading mobile connectivity provider in the country. However, we cannot stay comfortable with status quo. Digital revolution is changing the world and we need to keep evolving to stay ahead.

We set ambitious targets for our corporate transformation initiatives. Telkom Indonesia aims to be the country’s leading digital player by actively building partnerships with both startups and established companies. We are also seeing that the adoption of internet results in diminishing national boundaries. Being a forward-looking digital telco company, we do not want to see this as a threat, but rather an opportunity to grow larger than ever. This is time for us to mobilize our resources and lead the transformation by making strategic investments in the Asia-Pacific region’s fastest growing digital companies.

MDI Ventures has been working to establish thought leadership in the field of open innovation. The firm had expanded beyond investment activities to support corporate partners in solving the toughest challenges of the information age.

We are pleased to present you with our industry report on the state of Indonesia’s startup ecosystem, **“Bits by Bricks: Underlying Legacy Business as the Foundation for Digital Future”**.

On the behalf of Telkom Indonesia, thank you very much for your attention, and we wish that you find this information useful.

 

Sincerely Yours,

 

**David Bangun**

Director Digital and Strategic Portfolio, Telkom Indonesia

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A Perspective on Indonesia's Startup Ecosystem. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from our past experience in a venturing almost six years ahead of everybody. Clearly ‘spray’ model won’t work, especially in this part of the world.

Bits X Bricks

bitsxbricks.pdf

###### _Disclaimer: The essay is based on writer’s opinion_

I would like to start this post by disclosing my purpose of this essay.

I ruminate that the word “disruptive” has been highly overused—at least in Indonesia’s tech ecosystem—reaching a level that I personally despise it as more and more people treat it like a raunchy catchphrase. I used to mistakenly take that being disruptive is about bringing new age technology—which I think is how most startup founders and business stakeholders in Indonesia still perceive it. Most of the people in the scene trying to claim that they’re doing something disruptive by “redefining x”, “adopting the most advanced technology of y”, or combining it with other jargons (“machine intelligence”, “predictive learnings”, etc).

I met a startup about 2 years ago that is trying to create beacon/BLE-based solutions for retailers and advertisers. I thought that they have some potentials, until they’re calling themselves a disruptive IoT company (duh~). Good vernaculars for corporate pitches, until when it comes down to result, they’re dull as dishwater.

I would like to convey my thoughts on at least 3 things that make a technology products or services should be categorized as “disruptive”.

**1. When it democratizes the economics’ supply chain**

This type of disruptive technology is imminent in sharing economy startups, such as Uber and Airbnb.

What makes Uber and Airbnb great is that it brings liquidity into markets with an inelastic supply. In simple economics term, they democratize the supply side of the market by making it more skewed into perfect competition market structure. Today, everyone can be a cab driver and hotel host. Supply of cabs on hotel rooms that used to be inelastic (the number of cabs and hotel rooms are limited to the capacity of cab companies and hotel chains) becoming more elastic, and hence, with all things equal (ceteris paribus), reducing the price down, as it brings more quantity to the market.

A platform expert Sangeet Paul Choudary in his book “Platform Scale” manifested the concept of “changing business channels from pipes to platforms”. Platform companies are in the business of enabling interactions between supply and demand side of the market. The power that enable this kind of interactions and at the same time bringing more value for both sides of the market (higher availability in supply side, more affordable prices in demand side) is very powerful, and bringing a disruptive force to the incumbent players?—?all of whom are still struggling with their inelastic supply chain.
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**2. When it changes businesses’ cost structures**

Cloud computing has definitely disrupted the whole enterprise software market. Products like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Dropbox are changing the landscape of how enterprises pay for their hosting and storage services, respectively. Instead of compiling a bulk of upfront costs for the initial outlays, using these cloud technologies, companies can pay for those same services in a monthly/yearly subscription basis.


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I ruminate that the word “disruptive” has been highly overused—at least in Indonesia’s tech ecosystem—reaching a level that I personally despise it as more and more people treat it like a raunchy catchphrase. (JA)