MAROKO133 Update startup: Bali mandates tourist app 📲, BI adjusts burden-sharing 💵, QRIS b

📌 MAROKO133 Hot startup: Bali mandates tourist app 📲, BI adjusts burden-sharing 💵,

Dear subscribers,

This week’s update highlights major developments shaping Indonesia’s digital and economic landscape. Bali has introduced a mandatory tourist app to support sustainable travel, VinFast announced a landmark EV factory investment, and Venturi Partners has closed fresh funding for its second vehicle targeting consumer brands across Asia. On the innovation front, QRIS adoption continues to accelerate, driving SME participation in the digital economy. Meanwhile, governance challenges resurfaced with ongoing updates in the Tanihub case and the recent detention of Gojek founder and ex-Minister of Education, Nadiem Makarim—reminders of the importance of transparency and accountability in sustaining ecosystem growth.

Best regards,
The DailySocial Team

🚨 What’s New

• VinFast commits IDR 185 trillion EV plant in Subang, West Java 🚗⚡
  Vietnamese EV maker VinFast announced plans to invest IDR 185 trillion (approx. USD 11.2 billion) to build an electric vehicle factory in Subang, around 2 hours from Jakarta. The facility is expected to become one of the largest EV plants in Southeast Asia, producing both cars and batteries for domestic and export markets. This investment marks a major win for Indonesia’s strategy to position itself as a regional EV hub, leveraging its nickel reserves and supportive policies.

• Bali mandates new app for tourists 📲
  Starting early September this week, international visitors to Bali are required to download the “Love Bali” app before entry. The app is designed to track tourist activities, promote sustainable travel, and ensure compliance with local regulations. Authorities say the platform will also function as a digital guide, providing travelers with verified information about destinations, cultural etiquette, and environmental conservation.

• Ex-minister & Gojek co-founder Nadiem detained on graft charges ⚖️
  Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained Nadiem Makarim, former Minister of Education and founder of Gojek, as a suspect in a corruption investigation linked to state-funded education projects. According to the KPK, the case involves procurement irregularities and potential misuse of public funds through $563 million Google Chromebook laptop procurement project. Meanwhile, GoTo clarified that Nadiem has no formal role or involvement in the company, emphasizing its operations remain unaffected. The case underscores rising scrutiny of governance standards and could shape perceptions of Indonesia’s broader innovation ecosystem.

• Tanihub scandal deepens 🌾
  South Jakarta prosecutors have officially detained three new suspects, including former executives from state-owned venture capital firms, in the ongoing corruption and money-laundering case related to Tanihub’s investment funds. Former executives from state-owned investment firms have been charged with enabling unlawful investments worth millions, allegedly funneled into agritech startup Tanihub before being diverted. The scandal deepens concerns over governance and accountability in Indonesia’s venture capital–backed startup ecosystem.

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✨ What’s Exciting

• Venturi Partners raises $150M for consumer brands 🌐
  Singapore-based private equity firm Venturi Partners has closed $150 million in funding for its second vehicle focused on high-growth consumer brands in Asia. The firm, known for backing companies like Livspace and Country Delight, said the fund will target businesses in food, health, personal care, and lifestyle. This reflects increasing investor appetite for consumer-facing businesses that can scale with Asia’s expanding middle class. Venturi Partners emphasized its hands-on approach, supporting portfolio companies with operational expertise, digital transformation, and regional expansion strategies.

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🔮 What’s Next

• QRIS drives digitalization for SMEs 📊
  Indonesia’s digital economy continues to gain momentum through QRIS adoption. By H1 2025, QRIS recorded 57 million users and 39.3 million merchants, of which 93.16% are SMEs. Transaction volumes hit 6.05 billion with a total value of Rp 579 trillion—clear evidence that SMEs are not just present in the digital ecosystem but also thriving through digital transactions

• QRIS Tap adoption accelerates 🚀
  Bank Indonesia rolled out QRIS Tap (NFC-based) in March 2025, allowing users to make payments by simply tapping their phone. By June 2025, 47.8 million users and 648,000+ merchants had adopted the service, particularly …

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  🔗 Sumber: dailysocial.id

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  📌 MAROKO133 Update startup: Indonesia eyes Sovereign AI Fund 🤖, GoTo records profi

  Dear subscribers,

  This week’s update captures a mix of funding momentum, regulatory moves, and ecosystem shifts shaping Indonesia’s digital economy. OY! secured fresh capital to scale its fintech infrastructure, while GoTo delivered record-breaking Q2 performance. Regulators are stepping up with new cybersecurity rules for crypto, and Grab Ventures announced its latest startup cohort. Meanwhile, Living Lab Ventures launched InnoLab, Indonesia unveiled plans for a Sovereign AI Fund, and IBM flagged the region’s AI readiness gap.

  On the digital infrastructure front, Indonesia’s internet penetration reached 116% in 2025 with 229 million users—yet growth has slowed to just +1.8% YoY, signaling market maturity and shifting the focus to service quality, monetization, and bridging the digital divide beyond Java.

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  Best regards,
  The DailySocial Team

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  🚨 What’s New

  • OY! secures $15M funding – Indonesian fintech OY! raised US$15M led by MUFG Innovation Partners (MUIP) through their Indonesia’s focused Garuda Fund to strengthen payment infrastructure and expand its product suite. Processing billions in transactions monthly, OY! is positioning itself as a core enabler in Indonesia’s digital payments race. The round signals sustained investor appetite in fintech despite tighter funding. Read more

  • OJK issues cybersecurity guidelines – The Financial Services Authority (OJK) rolled out new cybersecurity rules for digital asset exchanges and custodians. The policy mandates stronger governance, incident response, and data security to curb systemic risks. It reflects regulators’ push to balance innovation with investor protection as crypto adoption rises. Read more

  • Grab Ventures picks five startups – Casion, Jejakin, Liberty Society, Rekosistem, and Sirsak join the Grab Ventures Velocity accelerator. The cohort will gain mentorship, market access, and scaling opportunities through Grab’s ecosystem. Themes include sustainability, social impact, and smart urban solutions. Read more

  • GoTo posts record Q2 2025 performance – GoTo booked 23% YoY revenue growth, its best quarter since IPO, fueled by ride-hailing recovery and fintech expansion. Efficiency gains also narrowed losses, boosting investor confidence in its turnaround. The milestone marks renewed momentum for Indonesia’s biggest tech group. Read more

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  👏 What’s Exciting

  • WeRide secures investment from Grab to launch robotaxis in SEA – Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide has secured a strategic equity investment from Grab’s partners to accelerate the rollout of robotaxis and autonomous shuttles in Southeast Asia. While Singapore has piloted autonomous taxis in controlled environments since 2016, WeRide’s Grab-backed expansion could mark the first large-scale commercial push for driverless mobility in the region. Read more

  • Living Lab Ventures launches InnoLab – A new program connecting startups with global IP strategy in 5 sectors (health, new gen semiconductor, renewable energy, logistics and climate. InnoLab aims to help founders bridge local research with global opportunities, supporting cross-border scaling. Read more

  • Indonesia plans “Sovereign AI Fund” – Indonesian government is preparing a state-backed AI fund to drive local R&D, support startups, and attract global partnerships. The move underscores Indonesia’s ambition to assert digital sovereignty and compete in the regional AI race. Read more

  • IBM: Only 11% of APAC organizations AI-ready – Despite 85% claiming readiness, only 11% of firms in Asia-Pacific have the infrastructure to scale AI, per IBM. The gap highlights execution risks but also a massive market for enterprise AI solutions. <a href="https://news.dailysocial.id/tech-business/news/studi…

    Konten dipersingkat otomatis.

    🔗 Sumber: dailysocial.id

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