From Zero to Millions in Revenue [#StartupAsia Preview]

I always admire gutsy and hardworking entrepreneurs, and it is not hard to meet one in Indonesia. Two of them who I’ve come to know are Yazid Faizin and Pandu Wirawan. They are the founders of Adstars, one of the earliest mobile ad networks in the country.

As we learned last year, the company generates more than 500 million ad impressions each month. It’s an impressive stat and the founders have worked really hard to reach it. I heard from other friends in startup circles that both entrepreneurs are obsessed with their startup; to the point that they could miss out on meals, working until their bodies couldn’t take it but minds were still going strong. It isn’t big news that entrepreneurs can be hardcore workers.

But that level of commitment is pretty intense. For Yazid and Pandu, it is called “passion to drive things further, better.” You got to admire that. Of course, you never want to work at a level that threatens your health. For kids out there, please don’t try this at home.

But their efforts did pay off, thankfully. In just a couple of years since launch, Adstars became profitable. In fact, I learned that its annual revenue is in the millions [1], although I couldn’t pry the exact figures from the founders. Adstars continues to grow and thrive today. Folks I’ve met in the advertising industry in Indonesia usually have great things to say about the mobile ad network.

I’m extremely glad to tell you that they will be sharing their startup journey at Startup Asia Jakarta on June 7, from 2.30 – 3.00 pm. The session will be titled “From Zero to Millions in Revenue.”

This coffee chat should be insightful and fun. Yazid and Pandu will also reveal their next venture at the conference. Both are tightlipped about their next startup, but I’m sure it will be something interesting, and given their track record, profitable too.

See you at Startup Asia Jakarta, folks! Stay tuned for more previews on our agenda.

[Image: Brad W. Foster]