Bangkok – On a warm January evening in Bangkok, under the golden lights of the Capella Hotel, a moment of pride unfolded for Indonesia. At the ASEAN Digital Awards 2025, Indonesian startups took center stage—bringing home nine out of 18 awards—in a resounding testament to the country’s innovative spirit and rising digital excellence.
From gold medals in sectors like Digital Startup and Digital Innovation to honorable mentions in Inclusivity and Public Sector Impact, these young companies didn’t just win trophies—they told a story of ambition, collaboration, and national identity in the age of digital transformation.
“This victory isn’t just for the startups,” said Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, while attending the event. “It’s for Indonesia. It reflects our journey—from a consumer of digital products to a global contributor of innovation.”
Among the standouts were eFishery, known for revolutionizing aquaculture with AI; Surplus, a food tech startup addressing waste; Ludesc, leading with smart education solutions; and Cexup, which modernizes health access for underserved populations. Also in the spotlight was OpenSID, the open-source platform empowering over 24,000 villages—a beacon of how digital tools can reach even the country’s most remote corners.
The startups weren’t alone. They carried the support of Kemkomdigi, Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital, which has nurtured them through mentorship and strategy. For many founders, this recognition was a culmination of years of perseverance—bootstrapped beginnings, tireless coding, and late-night strategy sessions in shared coworking spaces.
Professor Eko K. Budiardjo, an esteemed computer science academic and one of the judges at the event, called it “Indonesia’s highest digital achievement to date in Southeast Asia.”
It’s easy to admire the innovation behind these awards. But beneath the surface lies a deeper story—a story about belief: belief in local talent, belief in equitable technology, and belief that a developing nation can lead a digital renaissance.
From Jakarta to Jayapura, from classrooms to cloud labs, Indonesia’s digital dream is no longer an aspiration—it’s a movement. And on this January evening, that movement was celebrated with applause, medals, and most importantly—hope.
