MDI Ventures Introduces "eMerge", Program to Facilitate Angel Investor Network in Indonesia

A venture company belonging to the Telkom Group, MDI Ventures, launch platform emerges which can connect the network angel investors and startups in Indonesia. The platform closed its first deal that the startup got game livestream Gox with an undisclosed amount.

eMerge is a platform facilitated by MDI Ventures to bring together angel investors and early stage startup (early stage) in Indonesia. MDI declined to mention the amount angel investors who have joined the eMerge platform.

Partner at Centauri MDI-KB Kenneth Li said his party wanted to open up opportunities for angel investors to invest in local startups. He saw that startups don't always meet with angel investors right way to build a business.

In addition, the ecosystem angel investors in Indonesia are less exposed because they tend to hide their identity when investing. In contrast to the world's digital industry, the United States and China have already formed a network angel investors-New.

"That's why we want to help develop this ecosystem. Angel investors can bring startups they meet onto this platform," said Kenneth when contacted by DailySocial.id.

There are no specific criteria for angel investors who want to invest through this platform. However, Kenneth added that MDI will also provide assistance to the angel investors this.

"We will assists and educate yourself, but angel investors lead the investment. Those who negotiate with startups. We help in the legal and due dilligence," he said.

A little information, eMerge has an investment period of 1-10 years with a target return about 2,6 times in 3,5 years and internal rate of return (IRR) yearly at 27%.

Ecosystem angel investors in Indonesia

Based on reports Angel Investment Network Indonesia (ANGIN) in 2020, ecosystem angel investors Indonesia is currently entering a growing phase (growing), along with the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. While the ecosystem angel investors in neighboring countries, Malaysia and Singapore, are already in phase mature.

In Indonesia, ANGIN is a network organization angel investors largest in Indonesia with 130 investor clients, including 80 angel investors individual. Of these, ANGIN has raised more than 200 early stage investors involved in funding.

Even though VCs have started playing in ticket sizes small, ANGIN's Impact Investment Lead Benedikta Atika assesses that angel investors have a more relevant role, especially for early-stage startups.

There are several factors that underlie this, namely flexibility angel investors in providing support outside of capital and interests angel investors to provide support to the sector niche (example less-tech enabled model, social impacts) which has been considered less attractive by investors in general.

In the ranks angel investors who joined ANGIN, there are institutional investors who come from VC, conglomerate families, corporates, impact investors, and organization. While from the individual circles, came from entrepreneurs, HNWI (High-Net-Worth-Individuals), and public figures. 80% of ANGIN's total clients are Indonesians.

Previously, Kenangan Kapital Founder & CEO Edward Tirtanata also mentioned the lack of access to connect with angel investors in Indonesia. It assesses existence angel investors In Indonesia, it's not that they don't exist, it's just that they don't want to be exposed to their names. Edward himself has tried his new role as an angel investor through Memories Fund for the last two years.