The MDI Ventures corporate venture capital arm of Telkom Indonesia is restating its commitment to building a better, more sustainable future. The company’s recent publication of three impact studies demonstrates its dedication to ESG standards. Jointly created with Accenture, these studies shed light on the far-reaching environmental and social consequences of MDI’s holdings.
Effectual Investments through MDI Ventures
As part of its innovative “thesis-driven” strategy, MDI Ventures prioritises investments in companies that do more than just make money; they also improve society and the environment. MDI Ventures CEO Donald Wihardja, said, “As a strategic venture capital focusing on creating businesses with positive values, MDI Ventures implements a thesis-driven strategy to ensure that our investments go to startups that not only generate financial gains but also those that have a positive environmental and social impact that benefits society.”
The Impactful Startups in Our Portfolio
Across three distinct sectors, the impact reports highlight the remarkable accomplishments of the companies that make up MDI’s portfolio:
- Access to healthcare, education, and financial inclusion has been substantially extended in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, thanks to the groundbreaking healthcare platform SwipeRx. Through chemist participation in sales and community engagement, SwipeRx has had a positive effect on more over 144 million patients. We have also completed twelve public sector initiatives across seven distinct healthcare domains.
- More than 900,000 micro, small, and medium firms (MSMEs) across Indonesia have benefitted from the $1.6 billion in essential financial support offered by KoinWorks, a pioneer in Indonesian peer-to-peer lending. This initiative has increased financial inclusion, particularly for low-income communities, and it has also strengthened women-led businesses and created jobs. The dedication of KoinWorks to financial education and digital literacy is a long-term plan that integrates economic development, social responsibility, and environmental protection; it is a key component driving Indonesia’s digital economy.
- Aruna (Agriculture): Aruna has reduced the reliance of local fishermen on intermediaries, tripled their revenue, and generated over 5,000 jobs by completely revamping the management of Indonesian fisheries. Aruna takes the preservation of marine biodiversity and the attainment of global sustainability goals very seriously, as evidenced by its participation in significant environmental conservation initiatives including waste management, coral reef restoration, and mangrove replanting.
An Alliance for Long-Term Sustainability With respect to MDI and Telkom
Telkom’s Chief Digital Innovation Officer, Fajrin Rasyid, said, “The three impact reports launched by MDI Ventures reflect Telkom’s commitment to a solid plan for long-term sustainability and under ESG principles. We will continue playing our role in shaping a sustainable digital ecosystem, and one way to do this is by supporting startups through MDI Ventures, a part of the TelkomGroup.”
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Maintaining MDI’s Commitment to ESG
Those portfolio companies who seek long-term success while also making a positive impact on society will be supported by MDI Ventures. “We at MDI Ventures are dedicated to sustainable growth and making a positive impact through our startup portfolio,” the chief executive added. “In 2024, we aim to release a series of comprehensive and in-depth impact reports, highlighting various companies in our portfolio and reflecting our commitment to ESG principles.” In 2024, MDI Ventures will apply its comprehensive impact methodology to all of its investments, building on the success of the three enterprises listed earlier.
The significant studies published by MDI Ventures demonstrate the firm’s dedication to ESG principles. More than just boasting, these reports guide other companies towards their full potential so that they, too, may help ensure a sustainable future for Earth and its inhabitants.
