JAKARTA - Every year the development of Indonesia's digital economy always moves in a positive direction. But for this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses around the world, including startups, are going through tough times.
The state-owned company PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk has reopened its digital startup incubation or acceleration program dubbed the Indigo Creative Nation Batch 2, even though Indonesia and other countries in the world are still in a situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
First held in 2013, Indigo Creative Nation is an incubation program or startup acceleration that carries the principles of creativity in business from nurturing creativity to the Follow-on-Funding (FoF) stage.
"Indigo Creative Nation is our annual initiative with the aim of increasing competitiveness, independence and national economic growth through the development of a creative digital industry," said Digital Business Director of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk, Fajrin Rasyid in a virtual conference, Wednesday, October 21.
Fajrin added that Telkom not only disburses funding, but "startups that have successfully entered the Indigo Creative Nation program will also get training activities with mentors that we have curated professionally," added Fajrin.
Indigo Batch 2 is the last batch in 2020. Previously, at Indigo Batch 1, which started in May 2020, 201 startups signed up to take part. Telkom Indonesia conducted a screening process from on desk selection to pitching to get 35 startups. A total of 18 startups were then selected to enter the Indigo Batch 1 program yesterday.
It is known, this program has fostered 31,748 digital talents spread across 17 DILo (Digital Innovation Lounges) throughout Indonesia. At least 177 digital startups have entered the market incubation and acceleration program located at 4 DiVa (Digital Valleys), namely in Jakarta, Bandung, Jogja, and Makassar.
As has been done in previous batches, Telkom Indonesia also provides funding of up to IDR 2 billion for Indigo Batch 2. The funding will be aimed at growth and early stages of startup development.
There are also six startup categories that Telkom will focus on to participate in this program, namely logistics, finance, education, travel and tourism, agriculture, and health.
Finally, startups wishing to participate in the Batch 2 program can register on the indigo.id website. Registration is open from October 1 to November 13.
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