Indonesia’s Komdigi partners with Google Cloud to develop AI startup ecosystem

At the Google Cloud Summit in Jakarta on May 22, Indonesia’s Ministry of Communications and Digital (Komdigi) and Google Cloud launched an accelerator programme for Indonesian-based startups to enhance their artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.

The Google for Startups Accelerator Southeast Asia: Indonesia, AI-Focused initiative marks a strategic step for the country in its efforts to grow an AI-based digital economy, especially among startups. 

The Minister of Digital, Meutya Hafid, said the effort was in line with the government's Indonesia Emas 2045 vision, where technology – especially AI – is expected to drive an equitable and sustainable economy.

"The Indonesia, AI-focused partnership programme is designed to empower startups in Indonesia, allowing them to gain access to world-class technology and training, enabling them to create meaningful AI-based innovations," said Hafid.

According to a press release from Google Cloud, the three-month programme offers startups up to US$350,000 (S$448,694) worth of credits to access Google Cloud's AI technology ecosystem that features generative AI and agentic AI tools. 

Participants will also get training and workshop opportunities at Komdigi's Digital Innovation Hub. The training is followed by a Demo Day, where startups can pitch their AI products to potential investors and strategic stakeholders. 

Registration for the first batch has opened for 20 selected startups and will begin in September 2025. 

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Aiming for 100 AI startups in five years  

Google Cloud's Country Director, Indonesia, Fanly Tanto, said that the programme aims to develop 100 AI startups in the next five years, allowing them to tap into Google technology while empowering them to create real impact to the community. 

"If local startups and small businesses effectively apply Google Cloud platform services, including data analytics and AI, they could gain an estimated US$61 billion in economic value by 2030," she said. 

Tanto highlighted that over the past decade, Google has become an important partner to the national startup ecosystem. Of the regional participants of Google's accelerator programme in Southeast Asia, more than a quarter are from Indonesia.

Past alumni of the programme include big names such as Gojek, NOICE, Kata.ai, and Aruna, startups that are now the backbone of the country's digital economy.  

Google Cloud's Head of Startup Ecosystem, Southeast Asia, Thye Yeow Bok, expected the programme's graduates to not only become local players, but also part of the global network of Google for Startups Accelerator alumni who have mentored more than 1,500 startups around the world. 

"We look forward to playing a part in nurturing the country's next wave of promising AI startups and unicorns," he said.  

To make Indonesia a regional AI innovation centre 

In her keynote address, Minister Hafid affirmed the government's commitment to make Indonesia the centre of AI innovation in Southeast Asia through open and strategic cooperation with various parties. 

"We open the door to all strategic partners, both local and global, based on the principles of equality and professionalism to accelerate digital transformation that benefits all Indonesian people," said Hafid.  

The Indonesian Government fully supports AI innovation for key sectors such as education, health, finance, agriculture, smart cities, environmental sustainability, and social services, she added.    

Hafid appreciated Google's investment in the development of data centres to support the national AI ecosystem, estimated to reach US$88 billion (S$112.81 billion) in the next five years.  

She also emphasised the importance of AI development that favours national interests and protects vulnerable groups, through various policies such as the Circular Letter on AI Ethics, Government Regulation on Electronic System Operators in Child Protection (PP TUNAS), and the AI Roadmap for Indonesia that are currently being worked on. 

Indonesia has also established the Indonesian National Competency Standard (SKKNI) in AI to ensure that national digital talents are sensitive to ethical issues such as algorithmic bias and data privacy protection.  

"With a collaborative ecosystem based on strong regulations, excellent talent, and cutting-edge technology, Indonesia has a solid foundation to become the centre of AI innovation in Southeast Asia," she said.