Microsoft and USAID Help iMULAI 4.0 Winners Turn Ideas into Reality

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 The United States Government, Microsoft Indonesia and the Government of Indonesia jointly announced on 24 May the 10 winners of the iMULAI 4.0 Business Innovation Competition.

 

 

Now in its fourth year running, iMULAI 4.0 is a national innovation software competition sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Microsoft Indonesia. The purpose of the competition is to encourage Indonesian startups to submit creative ideas on information and communications technology (ICT) based software that improve the way entrepreneurs do business.

“iMULAI helps these local software startups by providing them with access to Microsoft software development tools, as well as connecting them with key industry players and government and economic development agencies to increase market visibility. We are working towards the common goal of developing Indonesia to its fullest potential,” said Andreas Diantoro, President Director of Microsoft Indonesia.

Prior to the competition, iMULAI conducted a series of seminars in Makassar, Samarinda, Palembang and Surabaya to raise awareness and encourage participation. As a result, more than 280 startups from 55 cities in Indonesia participated in this year’s competition.

Each of the iMULAI 4.0 winners received a professional startup software suite worth US$300,000 and hardware which will help to support their businesses. They are also provided with the opportunity to join a special business planning boot camp to present their innovative ideas to venture capital companies that are looking for prospective partners to invest in. 

“The iMULAI 4.0 competition has given us lots of useful tools and opportunities that aid in our business development. We appreciate the chance to meet possible investors who are able to help us expand our services to more companies,” said Mico Wendy, one of the iMULAI 4.0 winners who submitted the “SaveMillions” idea, a mobile application aimed at helping people make educated decisions on their charitable donations.

Programs such as iMULAI demonstrate Microsoft’s commitment to work closely with government agencies to foster innovations and broaden the reach of technology into communities across Indonesia.

“The United States is proud to support iMULAI for the fourth year and create opportunities for Indonesian entrepreneurs to contribute to the global economy. For Indonesia to sustain its growth, we have to work together to improve education, protect intellectual property rights and support innovators and entrepreneurs,” said Scot Marciel, Ambassador, U.S. Embassy Jakarta, Indonesia.