MDI Ventures CEO Donald Wihardja (center) signed a memorandum of understanding with Antler Germany Managing Director Christoph Klink (second from right), witnessed by Telkom Digital Business Director Fajrin Rasyid (second from left), at Hannover Messe 2023 in Berlin (19/4).

The strategic partnership between MDI Ventures and Antler Germany, established at Hannover Messe 2023, is expected to foster additional co-investments that will positively impact startups in Indonesia.

The step is in line with Telkom strategic focus on developing digital businesses.

Berlin, 20 April 2023 – MDI Ventures, a subsidiary of PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (Telkom) in the venture capital sector, has entered into a strategic partnership with Antler Germany, an early stage venture capital and global startup generator, on 19 April 2023. The memorandum of understanding between MDI Ventures and Antler Germany was signed in Berlin as part of Telkom activities at Hannover Messe 2023, the world's leading trade exhibition for industrial technology, innovation, and digitalization.

The strategic partnership aims to explore the potential of the global startup portfolio, particularly startups with deep tech characteristics in sectors such as biotech, cybersecurity, and climate tech, looking to enter the Indonesian market.

The synergy between MDI Ventures and Antler Germany in the future is expected to bolster the deep-tech startup ecosystem in Indonesia. MDI Ventures, as a subsidiary of Telkom, a state owned entity in the Indonesian digital telecommunications sector, underscores the strategic importance of this collaboration.

Telkom Digital Business Director, Fajrin Rasyid, highlighted the significance of partnering with global venture capital to advance Telkom's strategic focus on digital business development.

"Today, we are taking decisive steps by forging a strategic synergy with Antler Germany, representing Indonesia to establish bilateral partnerships between Indonesia and Germany," Fajrin said at Hannover Messe 2023.

Fajrin also said that Telkom partnership with Antler Germany marks a significant milestone in proving and maximizing MDI Ventures role as a global venture capital firm aligned with Telkom's strategic vision.

Through the memorandum of understanding, MDI Ventures aims to facilitate additional co-investments with Antler Germany that will benefit startups in Indonesia. Both MDI Ventures and Antler Germany aim to foster deeper collaboration by leveraging their expertise and global networks.

As of 2022, MDI Ventures startup network includes approximately 334 companies from 11 countries, while Antler Germany's portfolio comprises around 20 companies. Overall, Antler Germany is part of Antler Global, which has funded a total of approximately 660 startups from 80 countries, including 12 in Indonesia.

Donald Wihardja, MDI Ventures CEO, highlighted that through the partnership with Antler Germany, MDI Ventures will facilitate potential investments in startups with cutting-edge technologies that can benefit the Indonesian market.

"We can also support their growth and contribute to Indonesia's startup ecosystem through MDI Ventures' access to state-owned enterprises," Wihardja said.

The partnership between MDI Ventures and Antler Germany aligns with Indonesia's ambitions to become a prominent player in the global technology and innovation landscape. MDI Ventures will play a crucial role in managing investments for promising companies with high growth potential.

#ElevatingYourFuture