Go-Jek co-founder Michelangelo Moran leaves the company (Update)

Photo credit: Go-Jek.

(Update October 21: Go-Jek CEO Nadiem Makarim’s comment on the departure was added below)

One of Go-Jek’s original co-founders, Michelangelo Moran, has left the startup.

He announced his decision in a Facebook post today. An excerpt:

What I’ve learned about myself is that we are all human. I’ve been through a lot of big ups and big downs, but you have to remember to take care of yourself and not push the limits. I have also learned that being successful has its perks, but you will only feel complete if you are happy at the end of it. It’s been such an amazing 6 year journey, but with a sad and heavy heart, my time in GO-JEK has come to an end. […] As one of the original co-founders, I have seen the company grow from a small house in Kerinci to one of the biggest companies of its type in Indonesia with a billion dollar valuation, an achievement some can only dream about.

Photo credit: Michelangelo Moran’s Facebook.

Go-Jek is certainly Indonesia’s most talked-about startup to date. It’s the only local startup with a confirmed valuation above US$1 billion – Indonesia’s first unicorn.

It started in 2010 as simple website that lets you order a motorcycle taxi by phone. Since then it has quickly evolved into an on-demand empire that spans services as diverse as transportation, food delivery, cleaning, massages, and many more.

With its fast growth came problems. Go-Jek has had to deal with hackers and backlash from traditional motorcycle taxi drivers. It’s even had to face criticism from its own partners.

Michelangelo is not the only core team member to leave. Alamanda Shantika, who joined Go-Jek in 2014 to lead the engineering team, announced her departure a few weeks ago.

Go-Jek CEO Nadiem Makarim commented on Michaelangelo’s departure: