Each year, Bain & Company releases a comprehensive list of “ insurgent brands ,” defined primarily as high-growth independent, local consumer brands not owned by a multinational corporation. They compete head-on with the market’s largest incumbents or create new categories altogether. Indonesia is predicted to be the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2045. Estimates suggest its GDP per capita could reach a tipping point of US$7,500 by 2030. When combining all the market's key ingredients...
Mar 08, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast The real estate and infrastructure sectors are responsible for about 40% of global carbon emissions, and addressing the climate crisis requires reforming these industries. Today, we are talking to Annu Talreja , Founder and CEO of Accacia , an Asian startup that enables large property owners to monitor their carbon footprint in real time by integrating with ERPs and property management systems. Accacia has already been implemented across more than 20 million square feet of real estate in Asia. T...
Mar 06, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today, we look into the strategic communications and storytelling aspects of venture building with two expert guests, both of whom are part of AC Ventures ' advisory community for the startups we invest in. Mike Amour is a seasoned veteran in the global advertising and communications industry. His current role is Founding Advisor and Director at Salamander Advisory , founded by a group of TMT growth professionals to help VC firms and tech companies meet milestones and achieve their potential...
Feb 05, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's MindShare episode, we dive into Indonesia’s new retail scene. Host Leighton Cosseboom is joined by Tiffany Danielle , co-founder of Rosé All Day Cosmetics (RADC), an Indonesian beauty brand that recently raised a series A round of US$5.41 million led by SWC Global , with participation from AC Ventures and new backer DSG Consumer Partners . The round came shortly after RADC saw 4x annual revenue growth in 2022 followed by 6x growth in 2023. Also with us, Jack Zhang is the co-founde...
Feb 01, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this NewsCast episode, AC Ventures ' Adrian Li and Leighton Cosseboom team up with Jianggan Li from Momentum Works to dissect TikTok's strategic acquisition of a controlling 75% stake in GoTo's Tokopedia for US$1.5 billion, a move sure to revolutionize Indonesia's e-commerce arena in 2024 and beyond. The group unpacks how the acquisition could catapult Tokopedia to e-commerce supremacy in the nation. They discuss the transformative impact on job creation and the potential boon...
Dec 15, 2023•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this NewsCast episode, Adrian Li and Leighton Cosseboom dive into the Indonesia Venture Capital 2023 report, produced in partnership between AC Ventures and Bain & Company . The pair discuss an imminent upswing in sectors like electric vehicles, renewable energy, healthcare, and new retail, despite the global economic downturn. The episode particularly highlights Indonesia's potential in the electric vehicle market, emphasizing its significant global nickel production, crucial for lit...
Dec 08, 2023•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this NewsCast episode, Adrian Li and Leighton Cosseboom from AC Ventures analyze the e-Conomy SEA 2023 report by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company. They dig into Southeast Asia's digital economic growth trajectory, on track to reach an impressive US$100 billion in revenue, outpacing established tech markets like the US despite global macroeconomic headwinds. Shifting to focus on Indonesia, the pair discuss its growth potential, the build-up of dry powder in the market, local investo...
Nov 22, 2023•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast On today's NewsCast, Adrian Li and Leighton Cosseboom from AC Ventures analyze J&T Express's scaled-back IPO. Amid a sluggish period for Hong Kong's IPO market—currently at a two-decade low—J&T adjusted its expected IPO from an initial US$1 billion to US$500 million due to market uncertainties and diminished investor appetite linked to China's recent performance. The episode also touches on how J&T's association with key e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Tokope...
Nov 07, 2023•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today, we kick off an interesting series on value creation for startups in emerging markets. AC Ventures Principal Leighton Cosseboom is joined by Natasha Nababan , founder of NABS & Partners in Jakarta. With over 20 years of legal experience at both private practice and multinational companies, today Natasha is a key advisor for AC Ventures' portfolio companies. But she is also the guiding legal hand for many other tech companies in Indonesia, namely in the multibillion-dollar and ever-...
Oct 31, 2023•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today marks the debut of AC Ventures ' latest NewsCast series. Host Leighton Cosseboom is joined by ACV's Founder and Managing Partner Adrian Li to discuss the nuances of Indonesia's latest regulation pertaining to TikTok Shop. China's TikTok has 125 million monthly active users in Indonesia, its second-largest market in the world. In 2022, TikTok Shop Indonesia recorded a gross merchandise value of US$2.5 billion. But as per regulation No.31/2023, Indonesia's Ministry of Tra...
Oct 02, 2023•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rounding out our latest series on fintech in Indonesia, host Leighton Cosseboom is joined again today by AC Ventures ’ Founder and Managing Partner Adrian Li , as well as Ben Haryono , Co-founder and CEO of KoinWorks , a leading fintech company and one of Indonesia’s largest SME lenders. KoinWorks started out as a P2P lending platform and has since grown to become a full-fledged financial super app – complete with a suite of neo-banking services and complex financial instruments. In this episode...
Sep 18, 2023•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Continuing our series on fintech in Indonesia, host Leighton Cosseboom is joined by Adrian Li , Founder and Managing Partner of AC Ventures (ACV), as well as Adrianus Hitijahubessy , Co-founder and CEO of Julo , a fast-growing consumer lending fintech company in the archipelago. With a focus on productive and constructive financing, Julo operates in a landscape that's anticipated to reach US$254 billion by 2025. The group unpacks Julo’s unique approach to the complex emerging market and expl...
Sep 12, 2023•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Kicking off a fresh series on fintech in Indonesia, host Leighton Cosseboom of AC Ventures is joined today by Pandu Adi Laras , Co-founder and CEO of Broom . The startup is a digital used car showroom platform that makes it easier for auto dealers to run and develop their businesses nationwide. Broom is also making a name for itself as a fast-rising fintech player, as it provides working capital solutions to local dealers – many of whom are informal MSMEs and thereby underserved by formal financ...
Sep 05, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The much-anticipated launch of the carbon exchange in Indonesia is set to take place in September 2023. Officials say trading value can reach between US$1 billion and US$15 billion annually, as the nation is one of the few places in the world capable of absorbing carbon dioxide Rounding out our series on decarbonization and Indonesia’s green growth potential, today we’re joined by multiple experts. Lauren Blasco , ACV's Principal of ESG is with us, along with Dharsono Hartono , Legacy Lead f...
Aug 09, 2023•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Kicking off a series on decarbonization and Indonesia’s green growth potential, Leighton Cosseboom of Indonesia’s leading early-stage venture capital firm AC Ventures is joined by Manfred Borer , Co-founder and CEO of agritech startup Koltiva . The business offers a robust online and offline solution that cultivates eco-friendly, traceable global supply chains, from seed to table. It is a lesser-known sector in the tech space, but is already a multi-billion dollar industry and growing, as the wo...
Jul 31, 2023•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Completing our series on Indonesia’s shift to electric vehicles, host Leighton Cosseboom is joined by Michael Soerijadji of AC Ventures and Raditya Wibowo , the Co-founder and CEO of MAKA Motors , an electric vehicle startup redefining Indonesia's motorcycle landscape through innovation and engineering excellence. Earlier today, MAKA Motors announced it has just closed a US$37.6 million seed funding round co-led by AC Ventures. MAKA Motors creates durable, powerful, and affordable electric m...
Jul 20, 2023•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Continuing our series on the archipelago’s impending shift to electric vehicles (EVs), today we’re joined by Oliver Barker , the entrepreneur behind two important EV operations in Bali, SKUTE and Niu Mobility . SKUTE is the island’s pioneering electric scooter rental company, while Niu Mobility Bali is an authorized dealer of the famous China-based EV two-wheeler brand, Niu. Speaking with AC Ventures' Principal of Comms Leighton Cosseboom , Oliver shares his thoughts on how to usher one of t...
Jun 22, 2023•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's Mindshare episode, we're discussing Indonesia's imminent electric vehicle (EV) transition, particularly in the context of EV two-wheelers. As the second largest motorbike market in the world after India, and with strong government support, the space presents a robust opportunity for EV entrepreneurs and investors alike. Hosted by AC Ventures ' Principal of Comms Leighton Cosseboom , we are joined by Pandu Sjahrir , Founding Partner at ACV, and Jack Yang , the new Manag...
Jun 20, 2023•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's MindShare episode, we're looking at the future of education technology in Indonesia, a more than US$40 billion opportunity when combining B2B and B2C demand across multiple sub-verticals. Hosted by AC Ventures ' Principal of Comms Leighton Cosseboom , we are joined by Abhay Saboo , the Co-founder & CEO of CoLearn , one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing edtech platforms. It combines AI-powered homework help with live classes and a focus on STEM subjects. Also with us ...
May 15, 2023•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this MindShare episode, AC Ventures ’ Principal of PR & Communications Leighton Cosseboom hosts his colleague Samira Shihab , ACV’s Principal of Value Creation, and Chandan Deep , VP of Strategy and Operations at B Capital , a global venture capital firm anchored by Boston Consulting Group and led by Eduardo Saverin along with other high-profile names. With US$6.5 billion in assets under management across multiple funds, B Capital focuses on seed to late-stage growth investments, primaril...
May 05, 2023•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this MindShare episode, host Leighton Cosseboom of AC Ventures discusses Indonesia's more than 64 million MSMEs, which contribute significantly to the economy, representing 99% of total business activities, creating 97% of jobs, and accounting for around 60% of the nation’s US$1.4 trillion GDP. These small businesses often take the form of “warungs” – outdoor cafes, food stalls, and family-owned convenience shops. They are vital for Indonesia's inclusive and sustainable economic devel...
Apr 10, 2023•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this MindShare episode, we explore fintech's impact on economic inclusion in Indonesia, a place where consumers can buy a full meal for the same price they usually pay for a simple interbank transfer. Change is afoot, however, as fintech startups create competition and the government is also doing its part to lower costs with rollouts like BI-FAST and others. With us today to discuss are two experts on the bleeding edge. Tessa Wijaya is the co-founder and COO of Xendit . One of Indonesi...
Mar 10, 2023•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast This MindShare episode is all about the next decade of e-commerce in Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest and most important retail market. E-commerce in Indonesia has grown rapidly in recent years, with Lazada, Tokopedia, and Shopee paving the way for new players like Astro. Despite limited internet penetration and low consumer trust a decade ago, the market is now booming with revenue projected to reach US$52 billion in 2023 and US$77 billion by 2027. Hosted by Leighton Cosseboom , Head of Comm...
Mar 01, 2023•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast As we continue our MindShare series with group discussions on current events in Asia’s tech scene, today's episode is all about the future of crypto in emerging markets like Indonesia. The possibilities for blockchain in Southeast Asia are many. The region has a rapidly growing population with a high adoption rate of novel fintech. Governments are taking steps to regulate the crypto industry, while businesses are exploring its use for things like payments, remittances, and more. The region also ...
Feb 10, 2023•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today, we continue our MindShare series where we invite guests to have group discussions on current events in Asia’s tech scene. Stakeholders know that blockchain has the potential to radically change financial systems and, therefore, entire economies. The use of digital assets and smart contracts in DeFi can provide greater financial inclusion for the unbanked population and enable cross-border transactions with lower fees. Crypto trading and mining activities can also drive economic growth and...
Feb 07, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Continuing our series on impact in Indonesia’s digital economy, AC Ventures ' Head of ESG Lauren Blasco is joined by Angelique Timmer , SVP of Impact and ESG at KoinWorks , a full-fledged neobank for MSMEs that started out as a peer-to-peer lending platform for entrepreneurs to access working capital beyond banks and traditional financial institutions. Today, KoinWorks delivers outsized impact across Indonesia by providing access to financial services and investment opportunities to underserved ...
Jan 31, 2023•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast In our new ongoing series "MindShare," AC Ventures curates expert guests to discuss current events and timely topics in the Southeast Asian tech ecosystem. Via insightful group discussion, we then interpret what it all means for startups, investors, and stakeholders in the region. Hosted by Leighton Cosseboom , Head of PR & Communication at ACV, today's topic is all about good governance in startups. It’s no secret that corporate governance in early-stage ventures has never been particularly...
Jan 17, 2023•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today on Indonesia Digital Deconstructed, Lauren Blasco , Head of ESG at AC Ventures , continues our series on impact and ESG investing in Indonesia's vibrant digital economy. In this episode, Lauren is joined by Neels Steyn , Venture Architect Director at BCG Digital Ventures in Southeast Asia. Neels, with the support of Boston Consulting Group , helps the world's largest and most influential corporations invent, launch, and scale innovative new businesses, products, and platforms designe...
Jan 16, 2023•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today, we continue our series on ESG and impact in Southeast Asia’s tech scene with Lauren Blasco , Head of ESG at AC Ventures , as our host. AC Ventures recently established the nation’s first quantifiable ESG standards with its debut report, “ Scaling Impact With Technology ,” produced in partnership with Boston Consulting Group and supported by The Upright Project . There is no question that northern Europe is leading the charge when it comes to companies reporting their impact. Helsink...
Dec 15, 2022•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today, we kick off a fresh series focused on the intersection of ESG, impact, and tech in Indonesia. AC Ventures recently established the nation’s first quantifiable ESG standards with its debut report, “ Scaling Impact With Technology ,” produced in partnership with Boston Consulting Group and supported by The Upright Project in Finland. Hosted by Lauren Blasco , Head of ESG at AC Ventures, we are joined by Mohamad Bijaksana Junerosano (who goes by Sano for short). He’s the founder and CEO of W...
Dec 09, 2022•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
