Gojek, Digitaraya launch startup accelerator program

Indonesian unicorn Gojek has launched an accelerator program called Gojek Xcelerate, in partnership with local startup hub Digitaraya.

Photo credit: Gojek

The program is set to involve collaborations with experts from Google Developers Launchpad, global management firm McKinsey & Company, and UBS Bank, which are key partners of Digitaraya.

Gojek Xcelerate will provide a series of acceleration programs for six months for 20 selected local startups. It involves initiatives that are aimed at driving business growth, such as growth hacking, business model development, and machine learning applications.

Selected firms will be able to access Gojek and Digitaraya’s network of mentors, according to a statement. At the end of each batch, a demo day will be held where startups can pitch their business ideas and earn a chance for their service to be integrated into the Gojek app.

The tech giant did not specify whether investments in the chosen firms are an integral part of the program.

Registrations for the event opened on September 10, and the selection process will start on September 17. The Gojek Xcelerate Bootcamp, on the other hand, will begin on September 23.

According to research by Google and Temasek, Indonesia represents the largest market size in Southeast Asia, with a projected contribution of US$100 billion by 2025. With the accelerator, Gojek looks to capitalize on that opportunity and pave the way for the country’s next unicorn.

Last year, Gojek’s archrival Grab launched its own accelerator program called Velocity for growth-stage startups. With the initiative, the Singapore-based firm aims to plug inductees into its “expertise, technical resources, and networks.”

Velocity was announced alongside the official unveiling of Grab Ventures, Grab’s innovation arm that aims to develop technologies, build businesses in-house, and seek strategic collaboration and investments.