Focus on "Daily Consumer Innovation", Gojek Xcelerate Third Round Held

For the third time the accelerator program has been made Gojek with Digitalaya, Gojek Xcelerate, held again. Different from first round and second, now the theme is raised "daily consumer innovation" or digital innovations that can help people meet their daily needs.

The theme is considered quite close to Gojek, because they have related product lines. Therefore the company is confident enough to provide insight in-depth armed with the experience and competence of the internal team.

To DailySocial, Gojek Xcelerate Lead Yoanita Simanjuntak revealed that this program specifically targets Indonesian startups that offer convenience for the public to access world-quality local products. In addition, it is expected to have a social element to help create a positive impact on the surrounding community -- for example by empowering SMEs in the process of product production or distribution.

"By theme daily consumer innovation, we are targeting B2C market share startups that provide solutions in line with Gojek to always facilitate everyday life through technological innovation."

Engaging mentors from Gojek

One of the interesting inputs that Xcelerate got from the participants was that many of them still needed relevant knowledge and experience for digital business development. From managing talent to developing business models. Although in the end funding is one of the main goals, but with a curriculum specially made by Gojek expected to add to their resources and insights.

The way it works is not much different from other accelerator programs, participants will routinely take part in special classes presenting mentors to experts in certain fields. Curriculum Gojek also submitted by the leader, product manager Gojek.

"In the programme Gojek Xcelerate, the startups will get the session bootcamp for one week, with various curricula from Gojek, Google and other global partners; session mentoring with McKinsey, UBS Bank and Digitaraya; and ended with a Demo Day where startups presented their products and business models," said Yoanita.

He added, through this program startups can meet directly with VCs and potential investors in the network Gojek Xcelerate -- also a team leadership Gojek, so that startups have the opportunity to be integrated or join the ecosystem Gojek. This is claimed to be different Gojek Xcelerate with other accelerator programs.

"Our experience of ups and downs is a lesson that can be shared with startups, so that it can help them avoid the mistakes we made in the past. This includes how to make the right decisions at the right time for long-term and sustainable growth," said Yoanita.

Target Gojek Xcelerate

Through a new category in this third round, team Gojek and Digitaraya found a lot of potential that can still be explored by startups that have already got it funding and specifically targeting sectors daily consumer innovation. Starting from frozen food products (fozen food) to marketplace rental of children's toys and baby necessities.

"Our definition of success is how much value is felt by the participants/startup alumni Gojek Xcelerate and also the ecosystem around it. We hope Gojek Xcelerate can help shorten the journey for startups to achieve large-scale growth," said Yoanita.

Some graduate startups Gojek Xcelerate include Qlue, Travelio, Peto, Izy.ai and Crewdible. These startups have different industrial backgrounds. Crewdible for example, engaged in logistics warehousing, Izy in the hospitality industry, Peto in pet care, Travelio in accommodation reservations and Qlue in solutions smart city.

It is planned that this program will run until March 2020 with a target of 20 selected startups in five batches. Digitaraya, Google Developers Launchpad, McKinsey & Co. and UBS became partners Gojek in this program.

"Through Gojek Our Xcelerate wants to give startups access to be able to meet top mentors Gojek, world-class practitioners, and potential investors and other funding sources to develop their business in the future. This is one form of commitment Gojek to continue to provide a wider positive social impact on society by supporting the development of the startup industry and technological innovation in Indonesia," concluded Yoanita.