Already a hub for innovation, Jakarta is attracting young founders who need more than knowledge support – they need capital. The GIST Initiative is now joining forces with in-country investors to empower entrepreneurs in Indonesia looking for funding opportunities to help their startups start and scale. The longer term goal of the partnership is to build a stronger ecosystem for entrepreneurs to grow in Southeast Asia.

The Global Innovation Through Science and Technology (GIST) Initiative is the U.S. government’s flagship science and technology entrepreneurship program. Since 2014, GIST has been working with Indonesian innovators through its GIST Startup Trainings program. The program supports young founders through skills building, networking and mentorship. Now four years later, GIST is taking it support of the Indonesian startup ecosystem one step further, launching a GIST Investors program in Jakarta.

The GIST Investors program in Indonesia will be conducted in partnership with the Angel Investment Network Indonesia (ANGIN), the largest angel investors group in the country that supports early stage startups. By pooling resources, ANGIN helps investors engage with young startups that need investment and mentorship. Through implementation partner VentureWell, GIST Investors: Indonesia will work with ANGIN to bolster the support investors can provide entrepreneurs in Indonesia.

GIST Investors is a public-private partnership training program between the U.S. Department of State, private businesses, academic institutions and international organizations. The year-long program works with local, in-country investors to create sustainable investment networks and strengthen existing investment communities. The program includes in-country workshops and seminars that work to fill a funding gap often seen in emerging startup ecosystems.

To learn more about GIST Investors: Indonesia, click here.

Photo Credit: Stenly Lam | Flickr