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.

  ---

✨ 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.

  ---

🔮 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 …

  Konten dipersingkat otomatis.

  🔗 Sumber: dailysocial.id

  ---

  📌 MAROKO133 Update startup: 💸 Fresh rounds roll in. 🤝 INA–EDC pact lands US$600M.

  Dear subscribers,

  We’re back with a sharp, no-noise briefing for founders, investors, VCs, and regulators across Indonesia, the region, and beyond. Inside: this week’s key moves in funding, market expansion, strategic partnerships, and policy enforcement—distilled into actionable insights for faster decisions.

  This week’s newsletter is sponsored by Biznet Gio Cloud

  Biznet Gio Cloud: Reliable Cloud Designed for Optimal Performance
  
  Bring your preferred web apps online with virtual machines or ready-to-use platforms. Start with cost-effective web hosting, VPS, or elastic cloud servers.
  
  Learn More

  Best regards,
  The DailySocial Team

  ---

  🚨 What’s New

  • Startup funding highlights in Indonesia this week:

    • Alodokter (healthtech): Undisclosed syndicated round led by AngelCentral; supports expansion across telemedicine, bookings, e-pharmacy; 20M+ MAUs.

    • IDRX (Rupiah stablecoin): US$300K pre-seed led by eMerge by MDI Ventures (w/ Indodax, MANSA, Lisk, Camp, angels); focus on security, compliance, and adoption; US$90M+ tx volume since early-2024 launch.

    • ForU AI (AI identity): US$2.5M seed from NLS Ventures, IBC, WAGMi, 1982 Ventures + angels; building user-owned AI-DiD; $FORU token and 50M airdrop targeted Q1 2025.

    • Yup / Finture (neobank & paylater): US$32M Series C1 led by Moore Strategic Ventures and Spice Expeditions; total funding US$100M+; breakeven target end-2025; OJK/BI-licensed group entities; expanding digital insurance (Indotekno, Fuse).

    • Ayoconnect (fintech infra): Undisclosed round led by Finch Capital (w/ ION Pacific); reinforces disciplined growth and near-term break-even plan.

    • FAZZ (fintech infra): US$10M filing from UQ Fintech Lab; total equity funding US$193M+ to date.

  • OJK, the Indonesian National Police, and multiple agencies repatriated and detained AAG, former Director of PT Investree Radhika Jaya, for allegedly raising Rp2.7T illegally (Jan 2022–Mar 2024) via SPVs PT Radhika Persada Utama and PT Putra Radhika Investama. Charges include Article 46 jo Article 16(1) Banking Law and Article 305(1) Law No. 4/2023 (P2SK) jo Article 55 Criminal Code, carrying 5–10 years imprisonment. After a Red Notice in Nov 2024 and non-cooperation while in Doha, Qatar, authorities executed NCB-to-NCB cooperation, G2G diplomacy, and passport revocation; AAG is now held at Bareskrim. OJK continues to coordinate on victim reports and commends the inter-agency effort to protect consumers and enforce financial-sector integrity. [Read more]

  • Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) and Export Development Canada (EDC) signed a Market Leader Partnership MoU providing up to US$600M in financing for INA-priority projects in infrastructure, renewable/clean tech, and agrifood. The partnership pairs EDC’s global reach with INA’s local mandate to generate socio-economic impact, deepen two-way trade, and crowd-in global capital. For Canada, it expands commercial presence in Indonesia—its largest Southeast Asian export market since 2024—while supporting quality job creation. INA frames the MoU as more than financing: it aims to design trusted funding structures that bolster long-term competitiveness; EDC will mobilize its exporter/investor network to surface opportunities. Established in 2020, INA targets transport, logistics, digital, green energy, healthcare, food, and advanced materials. [Read more]

  👏 What’s Exciting

  • Oracle to build hyperscale data center & AI footprint in Indonesia.
    Oracle announced plans to invest in Indonesia’s tech infrastructure, focusing on a large-scale data center in Batam (≈120MW power capacity) and AI solutions to accelerate national digital transformation. In partnership with Danantara and with government support, Oracle aims to strengthen data sovereignty, expand digital infrastructure, and create skilled jobs—serving public sector, banking, and enterprises, and extending reach via Nongsa Digital Park. Sustainability considerations will be integrated as part of the permitting process.

  • OpenAI launches ChatGPT Go in Indonesia.
    OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Go in Indonesia—the second country globally to receive the service. Priced at Rp75,000/month, it targets free users seeking premium capabilities at a lower price point, including access to GPT-5, more image generation, expanded file uploads, advanced data analysis, and custom GPT building. Indonesia’s user base has reportedly tripled year-over-year, ranking among the global top five. OpenAI reiterated its data-privacy commitments; the government welcomed broader AI access. ChatGPT Go complements Plus and Pro, and will compete with other premium AI offerings such as Google’s Gemini.

  • Danantara Trust Fund – US$100M initial philanthropic allocation.
    Danantara committed US$100M to seed philanthropy programs in education, health, and WASH, in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. CEO Rosan Roeslani said Danantara will allocate 1–2% of annual dividends to sustain social initiatives. This “philanthropy lab” runs through Jan 2026, with concrete partnerships to follow. Backed by President Prabowo Subianto—who met Bill Gates during UNGA 80—the initiative seeks humanitarian projects that tackle poverty, hunger, and education gaps, positioning Indonesia as a regional philanthropy hub.

    <div class="captioned-…

    Konten dipersingkat otomatis.

    🔗 Sumber: dailysocial.id

    ---