Chasing Unicorns

Chasing Unicorns: In Search of Fool’s Gold is a candid exploration of the intricate venture capital landscape in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

It’s an insider’s perspective that offers a unique and comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem’s volatile nature. Nicko Widjaja, a seasoned professional in the startup investment realm, shares firsthand experiences, insights, and revelations about the challenges and opportunities that define this dynamic sector.

The narrative unfolds to depict the dramatic rise and fall of tech startups in the region, spotlighting their devolution from ‘unicorns’ to ‘centaurs,’ exploring the multifaceted implications of this shift. Widjaja presents a thoughtful examination of the domino effect that both entrepreneurs and investors initiate within the industry.

In the pursuit of unicorns, the reader is confronted with harsh realities: the lack of transparency, sudden shifts in deal agreements, and market-specific hurdles. Yet, interwoven within these dramas, is a tale of potential and hope, underscoring the importance of good governance and strategy overhaul in fixing the industry for the better.

Chasing Unicorns: In Search of Fool’s Gold captures the unpredictable terrain of Southeast Asian venture capital, demystifying the quest for unicorn investments, and the realities that lie beneath the pursuit.

Profil Penulis:

Nicko Widjaja is a seasoned professional in the startup investment realm with a vast range of experiences in venture capital, corporate development, and the Indonesian startup ecosystem. As the pioneering CEO of MDI Ventures and BRI Ventures, Indonesia’s inaugural corporate venture capital firms, he led the two firms to become among the few respected investment firms in the region with exits in multiple countries such as Whispr, Geniee, Codapay, Wavecell, Observe IT, and Nium, to name a few.

Driven by his passion for the industry, Nicko has dedicated part of his time to teaching at renowned institutions such as the Institut Teknologi Bandung School of Business Management (2021-present) and previously at UPH Business School (2011-2015).

Nicko currently holds a role as the Chair of the Permanent Committee of Investment and Partnership in the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and an Honorary Board Member of the Indonesia Venture Capital Association.

Over his extensive career, he has spearheaded investments and collaborations in over than a hundred startups worldwide.