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The Launch of the Ratu Nusa Fund

In an exciting development for women entrepreneurs in Indonesia, venture capital firms Gobi Partners and Ozora Yatrapaktaja have joined forces to launch the Ratu Nusa Fund, a US$10 million seed fund specifically aimed at supporting women-led startups. This initiative marks a significant step towards addressing the gender disparities in venture capital funding, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Focus Areas of the Fund

The Ratu Nusa Fund is designed to support seed-stage and pre-Series A companies that are making strides in various sectors, including:

• Health Tech
• E-commerce/Social Commerce
• Future of Work/Education
• Proptech
• Enterprise/SME Tech
• Fintech

This diverse focus not only highlights the fund’s commitment to innovation but also its dedication to improving the livelihoods of women and girls across Indonesia. The fund aims to empower companies located in emerging secondary and tertiary cities such as Surabaya, Bali, Denpasar, Nusantara, and Medan. By targeting these areas, the Ratu Nusa Fund seeks to broaden access to resources and opportunities for women entrepreneurs who may otherwise be overlooked.

Empowering Women and Girls

One of the core missions of the Ratu Nusa Fund is to uplift women and girls in Indonesia. By investing in companies that prioritize gender equality and social impact, the fund aims to create a ripple effect that enhances the overall quality of life for women across the nation. This focus on social responsibility is crucial in a country where an estimated 133 million women could benefit from increased access to entrepreneurial resources.

The Expertise Behind the Fund

Ozora Yatrapaktaja brings a wealth of local expertise and a robust network of connections with businesses, governments, and organizations globally. The firm is committed to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, aligning with Indonesia’s ambitious Vision of 2045. This vision aims to transform Indonesia into a high-income country, and initiatives like the Ratu Nusa Fund are vital in achieving that goal.

Gobi Partners, founded in 2002, is a pan-Asian VC firm with US$1.5 billion in assets under management. The firm has a strong track record of supporting entrepreneurs from early to growth stages, focusing on underserved markets. With 15 funds raised across 13 locations and investments in over 310 startups (more than 60 in ASEAN), Gobi Partners is well-positioned to make a significant impact through the Ratu Nusa Fund.

Voices Behind the Initiative

Thomas G. Tsao, Co-Founder of Gobi Partners, emphasizes the importance of this initiative:

“Women entrepreneurs have long gotten a small slice of the VC funding pie mainly due to entrenched gender biases, leaving untapped potential from half of the world’s population. The Ratu Nusa Fund was designed to address this gap.”

His insights highlight the urgent need for change in the venture capital landscape, particularly in regions like Indonesia, where there are an estimated 30 million active women entrepreneurs.

Margaret Srijaya, Founding Partner of Ozora Yatrapaktaja, echoes this sentiment:

“There is a large underserved and untapped opportunity in VC support for women entrepreneurs and women-impact businesses serving 133 million Indonesian women. We are confident that the Ratu Nusa Fund will provide worthy women-led businesses the ability to scale its impact in this country and across neighboring markets within the Asia-Pacific region.”

The Launch Event

The official launch of the Ratu Nusa Fund took place in Surabaya, where both Tsao and Srijaya shared their vision for the fund and its potential impact. The event served as a platform to engage with stakeholders, entrepreneurs, and the community, fostering a spirit of collaboration and innovation.

By focusing on women-led startups and addressing the unique challenges they face, the Ratu Nusa Fund is poised to make a meaningful difference in Indonesia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The commitment from both Gobi Partners and Ozora Yatrapaktaja underscores the importance of inclusivity in venture capital, paving the way for a more equitable future in the startup landscape.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights in our monthly newsletter, where we delve deeper into the latest developments in fintech and beyond!