Donald Wihardja Officially Serves as CEO of MDI Ventures

After serving as a Partner at Convergence Ventures which has now changed its name to AC Ventures post to merge with Agaeti Ventures, Donald Wihardja officially took up a new position as CEO of MDI Ventures, filling the vacant position for 9 months since his predecessor left. As is known, this position was previously occupied by Nicko Widjaja, who has now moved to build BRI Ventures.

Along with Donald's entry, Aldi Adrian Hartanto now serves as VP of Investments at MDI Ventures.

To KRASIA VP of investments at MDI Ventures Aldi Adrian Hartanto said, "Based on Donald Wihardja's experience in investing and running a business, he can add its own color to the investment style and culture at MDI Ventures in the future.

He added that in the next few years, the main goal of MDI Ventures is to remain the same, which is in accordance with the vision of being a VC that focuses on funding. multi-stage top in South East Asia.

It is hoped that Donald and his team can help to accelerate fundraising activities, in order to create an independent funding association, as well as to support and strengthen the organization. 2019 MDI Ventures was successful note 5 exit, with 3 acquisitions and 2 IPOs.

Add new managed fund

This year MDI Ventures will soon add two new managed fund again to strengthen the Telkom Group startup investment portfolio from the early stage to later stages. To DailySocial MDI Ventures Managing Partner Kenneth Li said that this addition was due to the allocation of the first round of funds for four years having run out.

In early December 2019, Telkom Group through MDI Ventures and KB Financial Group from South Korea also formed a new managed fund called the Centauri Fund. Back again, in the middle of 2019, a subsidiary in the mobile business Telkomsel form a new investment unit, namely Telkomsel Innovation Partners (TMI) to be managed by MDI Ventures.

Investment challenges in 2020

The pandemic has forced many business strategies to be rearranged, as well as investment strategies. In a number of interviews with venture capitalist, we get a lot insight about the prediction that investment in Indonesia will decrease in 2020. Although some investors are sure that they will not delay the existing plans.

Kenneth assessed, there will be adjustments to investment activities. However, he estimates that there will be investors who will take advantage of this situation to look for a startup portfolio whose valuation can be adjusted.discount, especially, investors who have cash reserves strong.

"We don't see investment plans based on market aggressiveness, but startups that will be successful in the future. After all, investment depends on how investors set their hypotheses. I'm sure VCs who have fund new and track record good to survive in this situation," he said.