Endeavor Indonesia’s managing partner passes away

Photo credit: Endeavor Indonesia

Wayah Surya Wiroto, managing director of Endeavor Indonesia, passed away yesterday.

He oversaw the networking firm’s ScaleUp  accelerator programs and was a driving force in the local entrepreneurial community.

Prior to this role, Wiroto spent four years at General Electric Indonesia in several leadership positions, including country sales director for its renewable energy division. He also acted as an external advisor for YCAB Foundation, a nonprofit organization.

Wiroto was major inspiration for the startup and Endeavor community alike.

Linda Rottenberg, Endeavor co-founder and CEO, remembers how Wiroto loved supporting high-impact entrepreneurs and cheering on his team.

“All of us at Endeavor are heartbroken over the loss of our serious-yet-always-enjoys-a-good-laugh colleague, a most kind and thoughtful soul – our beloved Pak Wayah. Together, we will work to carry on the legacy he leaves to his family, his teammates, and to the entire Indonesian entrepreneurial ecosystem,” she says.

Pandu Sjahrir, Endeavor board member and AC Ventures founding partner, describes Wiroto as a “cheerleader of tech companies and entrepreneurs” in Indonesia and across Asia.

“It’s a big loss for us,” Lan Anh Nguyen, managing director of Endeavor Vietnam, tells Tech in Asia. “As Indonesia has the most mature tech ecosystem of all our Asia Endeavor offices, we often go to him for support and guidance.”

Wiroto went beyond his “duty to help entrepreneurs who’re in need of advice, especially at their critical juncture,” recalls Nirmal Rajaram, a partner at Rigel Capital Management. “He’s one of kindest and most composed personalities that I have had the privilege to be friends with in my life. He will be deeply missed.”

Endeavor Entrepreneurs member and ex-Fabelio co-founder Marshall Utoyo recounts how Wiroto, a “very kind soul that keeps on giving,” helped him through tough times.

“I remember one time when the crisis at my previous company happened, he went above and beyond to connect us to people, doing checks and fighting for us in so many ways that were way above what was asked. Even after that, he checked up with me regularly on my condition both health and mental, and never ever asked for anything back,” he tells Tech in Asia.

See also: These are the most active investors in Indonesia’s startups