Jakarta, 9 January 2026 – The Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency continues to strengthen the national creative tech ecosystem through an audience with East Ventures. Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya emphasized that the partnership commitment with East Ventures forms part of efforts to address the slowdown in global investment through a collaborative approach between the Government and the business sector.
The Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, received an audience with East Ventures at the Office of the Ministry of Creative Economy, Jakarta, Friday (9/1/2026).
“We believe the creative economy will become the new engine of national economic growth, starting from the regions. Therefore, collaboration with industry players and investors is key to strengthening an ecosystem based on intellectual property,” said Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya during the meeting held at the Office of the Ministry of Creative Economy, Jakarta, Friday, 9 January 2026.
The meeting also formed part of the Creative Economy Fund (Dana Ekraf) program aimed at expanding access to funding, financing, and investment for the creative economy, as well as a follow-up to the Ekraf Tech Innovation Challenge program. The audience underscored the strategic role of venture capital in driving the growth of technology- and intellectual property-based creative economy subsectors.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
The presence of East Ventures also reflected hexahelix synergy among the Government, business actors, and the innovation ecosystem in addressing financing challenges within the creative industry.
“Hexahelix collaboration is necessary to ensure that technological innovation and creative talent continue to have sustainable space to grow,” he added.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
East Ventures Partner Melisa Irene conveyed that Indonesia remains the venture capital firm’s primary investment market.
“Of more than 300 companies in East Ventures’ portfolio, around 75 percent are based in Indonesia, while the remainder are spread across Singapore and other ASEAN countries,” she stated.
With a population of approximately 284 million people and an internet penetration rate of 80.6 percent, Indonesia remains a highly potential market for digital product development, particularly in the e-commerce, fintech, and application-based services sectors.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
The contribution of local startups has also been significant. On-demand startups in Indonesia have created approximately 588,000 jobs and generated additional household income of up to IDR 33.2 trillion, underscoring the role of the digital creative economy as a driver of public welfare.
New opportunities are also emerging from the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI)-based startups, which recorded investment value of approximately USD 542.9 million in 2024. This trend is reinforced by cross-ministerial and institutional support through various programs aimed at strengthening the national innovation ecosystem.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
Also present at the audience were East Ventures representatives, including Government Relations Hasintya Saraswati, Business Development Martin Tanuwijaya, Director of Strategy Fore M. Fahmi Rachmattulah, Founder of Compawnion Stephani Herman, and Founder of Amoda Robin Renardi Yovianto. Meanwhile, Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya was accompanied by the Deputy Minister for Digital Creativity and Technology Muhammad Neil El Himam, along with relevant officials from the Ministry of Creative Economy.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of the Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
