init 6

Last night, we hosted our Founders Gathering to explore our following strategies for greater resilience in 2025. We focused on strengthening our collaboration for future endeavors. The discussions were highly productive, and our founders agreed to aim high as they laid the groundwork for further expansion. Some of them are already recognized as regional players. May this Ramadan inspire a turning point for the greater good of all of us. Keep flying ??

In celebration of Ramadan, Educa Studio and Gamelab are launching "KABI, Kisah Teladan Nabi," an educational program for children. With the growing enthusiasm for the animation industry, Educa Studio and Gamelab are seizing this opportunity to collaborate with vocational schools. Currently, Educa has optimized the program for vocational school graduates, allowing them to participate in 2D and 3D animation and design. The initiative has already reached over 500 vocational schools and more than 100,000 students. Kudos to Educa team and Andi Taru Full article: https://lnkd.in/ed2SHcPA

Meet our Endeavor Ambassador, Achmad Zaky (Founding Partner of Init-6)! Achmad Zaky’s journey began with a visionary idea and countless hurdles. As the Co-Founder of Bukalapak alongside Muhamad Fajrin Rasyid and Nugroho Herucahyono, Achmad Zaky turned his vision into reality, leading the company to unicorn status and making it one of Indonesia’s top e-commerce platforms. His journey from unicorn builder to ecosystem enabler reflects the power of bold ideas and unstoppable execution. After his successful exit, Zaky is now shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs as an investor and mentor. By backing founders and building the ecosystem through init 6, Achmad Zaky Foundation, and Endeavor as our Ambassador, he continues to pay it forward, proving that true success is not just about scaling businesses, but about lifting others along the way. Did you know? In 2019, Achmad Zaky was mentored by Endeavor Global Board Member Nicolas Szekasy (Former CFO & Co-Founder of Mercado Libre, Managing Director of KASZEK), an experience that strengthened his decision to launch Init-6. That shows the power of our network! How about you? Have you received mentorship from Achmad Zaky? Is there a lesson from his journey that resonates with you? Share your thoughts! #Endeavor?#EndeavorIndonesia?#EndeavorAmbassador?#entrepreneur?#entrepreneurship?#highimpact?#startupjakarta?#startupindonesia?#achmadzaky?#bukalapak?#init6

Last month, we had the opportunity to sit down with Muhammed Mekki, an entrepreneur and Founding Partner of AstroLabs, during the Moniify Talks. Achmad Zaky shared his experiences from the early days of building a successful startup and his transition into becoming an investor through Init-6. What sets Init-6 apart is Achmad Zaky's deep-rooted experience as a founder himself. Having walked the challenging path of entrepreneurship, he has a profound understanding of the myriad obstacles that founders encounter while steering their startups through both prosperous and turbulent times. This background fosters transparent and strong relationships with the companies he invests in, particularly when they face pivotal decisions related to securing funding or strategizing for business expansion. Init-6 aims to ensure that founders feel supported every step of the way. Achmad Zaky also discussed the complexities of the Indonesian market and how founders can create products that not only achieve market fit but are also scalable and suitable for tier two cities. Watch the full interview : https://lnkd.in/ecwNZhyd

We Stand With You! We began 2025 with hopes of brighter days, but my heart breaks as the wave of layoffs continues to grow. The recent news about the eFishery fraud case, which might trigger even more layoffs, only deepens the uncertainty . Losing a job is devastating. It’s even harder for those with families who rely on them—especially as we approach the festive season of Ramadhan and Eid al-Fitr, a time that should be filled with joy, not worry. This is a heavy burden, and my thoughts go out to everyone impacted. In the face of this troubling trend, I’ve taken a small step to make a difference. I’ve created a Google Form for those who’ve been laid off and are looking for new opportunities. By filling it out, I can connect you with my network of friends, recruiters, fellow VCs, and founders who are actively hiring—not just in startups, but across industries. Here's the link to Google Form: https://lnkd.in/dgVbv4Aq I can't do it alone! Need collective help! 1?? Share this post with your network to reach those affected by layoffs. 2?? If you’re hiring or know someone who is, let me know—I’d be happy to share access to the talent list so you can connect with incredible talent. I hope this small initiative can spark hope and open doors for those who need it most. Together, we can make a difference. #WeStandWithYou

Our portfolio, Skorlife, has successfully secured Pre-Series A funding. A huge shoutout and congratulations to the entire team for this incredible achievement! Onwards and upwards ?? Full article: https://lnkd.in/gHNqJPXH

We are thrilled to have participated in the DealStreetAsia Pre-Summit Networking event last night! The conversations were vibrant and essential, filled with fresh ideas addressing the challenges and opportunities in Indonesia's investment and startup landscape. Achmad Zaky is genuinely optimistic about the impact of collective strength and?eager for what lies ahead! And Happy 10th-anniversary DealStreetAsia! A decade of data, insights, collaboration, and impactful connections. Image: DealstreetAsia

Yesterday, init 6 proudly hosted our Annual Gathering 2025 with the theme: “Rebuilding Confidence, Redefining Growth!” This theme is more than just a set of buzzwords—it embodies the spirit we aim to instill in our portfolio founders. In a time when the Indonesian startup ecosystem faces negative perceptions, it’s crucial to rebuild confidence and showcase the immense potential for growth that still exists. As founders, it’s their role to demonstrate that the Indonesian startup landscape remains vibrant and full of opportunity. However, we must also adjust our growth expectations to align with the evolving market landscape. That’s why we encouraged our founders to approach their 2025 business plans with cautious optimism, balancing strategic preparation with a commitment to sustainable growth. The event was truly insightful and packed with engaging discussions. We were honored to have an exceptional lineup of speakers, including: Prof Bambang Brodjonegoro, Special Advisor to the President of Indonesia on Economics Pandu Sjahrir, CEO of Indies Capital and Founding Partner of AC Ventures Hans Patuwo, COO of GoTo Group Andannu Tyo, CEO and Founder of TUKU (MAKA Group) Gordon Enns, CEO of DataOn (PT Indodev Niaga Internet) Zaky Muhammad Syah (Zack), CEO and Founder of dibimbing.id Rizki Aditya, CEO and Founder of Monit A special thank you goes to Rey Kamal and Ade Nurul Safrina for moderating the sessions so effectively. At init 6, we (Achmad Zaky, Nugroho Herucahyono, Arif Medianto, Teuku Al Hafidh) remain optimistic about the future of the Indonesian startup ecosystem. We’re excited to continue collaborating with brilliant entrepreneurs to build resilient companies that drive economic growth and innovation in Indonesia. Stay tuned for our next event—we can’t wait to see you there!

Highlights from the Init-6 Annual Gathering 2025: Rebuilding Confidence, Redefining Growth We are honored and grateful for the support of our speakers: Prof Bambang Brodjonegoro, Special Advisor to the President of Indonesia on economics; Pandu Sjahrir, CEO of Indies Capital and Founding Partner of AC Ventures; Hans Patuwo, COO of GoTo Group, Andannu Tyo, CEO and Founder of TUKU (MAKA Group) Gordon Enns, CEO of DataOn (PT Indodev Niaga Internet) Zaky Muhammad Syah (Zack), CEO and Founder of dibimbing.id and Rizki Aditya, CEO and Founder of Monit along with the other CEOs and founders in attendance. The annual gathering focused on collaborative dialogue, commencing with an opening speech by our founding partner, Achmad Zaky. He emphasized the importance of entrepreneurial spirit as a fundamental driver of Indonesia’s economic growth. Zaky mentioned that the current business landscape has shifted from previous years; founders must now concentrate on achieving healthy growth and developing strong business models rather than solely relying on fundraising. The session began with a keynote address from Prof. Bambang, who provided insights into the global and domestic macroeconomic landscape. He noted that the global economy is experiencing stagnation in key regions, such as Europe, while trade dynamics are being reshaped by the protectionist policies of the United States. This shift is having a ripple effect on developing economies like Indonesia. The keynote was followed by a panel discussion featuring Pandu Sjahrir and Hans Patuwo, who discussed how to navigate and respond to the current economic situation. The speakers highlighted the importance of optimizing costs, scaling efficiently, leveraging local opportunities, pursuing strategic partnerships, diversifying funding sources, and focusing on talent development. We also heard inspiring stories from the founders of TUKU (MAKA Group) and DataOn (PT Indodev Niaga Internet), who shared how they built successful companies by prioritizing research and development, human development, and leveraging consumer insights to inform critical business decisions. Finally, Zaky Muhammad Syah (Zack) and Rizki Aditya offered valuable insights on how founders and investors can collaborate on long-term journeys, particularly in the education and finance sectors, emphasizing the importance of governance and inclusivity to enhance competitiveness. See you! Rexi Christopher Teuku Al Hafidh gicha graciella

Happy New Year 2025! In a recent interview with DealStreetAsia, our founding partner, Achmad Zaky, and venture partner, Rexi Christopher, discussed the market shift and strategies for diversifying our business in 2025. "We prioritize diversifying our investments into resilient sectors and supporting businesses that focus on affordability without compromising quality. As economic conditions shift and consumer preferences evolve, adaptability becomes crucial. We advise our consumer-focused companies to prioritize research and development (R&D) to explore alternative products that can unlock new markets." "Regarding market competition, we encourage our portfolio companies to avoid competing with low-cost products that rely on frequent promotions to attract customers. Instead, we focus on investing in businesses that offer value-driven products, have strong market positioning, foster deep brand loyalty, and ensure sustainable growth and differentiation in the market." Read more: https://lnkd.in/eansmXnF