7 Steps To Find Your Next Investors

For many startups looking to grow their business, attracting potential investors is crucial. Consider it like a garden. Before an investor participates, you must first place the seed in the soil and get the plant to flourish a little. This is where the real work begins. Investing is all about the future, for some it’s about how you reward your future self by taking care of yourself in the present, for others it’s about taking a trend to a whole new different level. Figuring out what the investors are driven by will help you develop a mandate fit and an emotional connection for the business itself.

Every type of investor comes with their own set of terms and conditions. As a start-up company, it’s crucial to understand where you stand in the timeline of your business and the amount of money you actually need. Understanding the playing field and who to approach will help you seize that big investment you’re looking for.

What about the cost of capital? Is it better to have debt or give equity? The key to answering this lay on comprehending the weight and the amount of responsibility it gives to where you stand now. If you’re early in the business having debt could be better as it frees you from less obligations in the future, but if you’re looking for a beneficial long-term partnership, equity is for you. The basics of investment is always about returns. Depending on the projects and the type of investors, they will value returns in different ways. Here at BIC, we look to provide a healthy mix of financial returns and how the money is going to contribute to the well-being of Indonesia. See our investee checklist here.

The 7 Steps

01. Representing Investors

First and foremost, your projects have to be aligned with what they represent. Some need an impact agenda, some look for high scalability, others only invest in local startups.

02. Good Self-Image

Secondly, they not only invest in your company but also you as a person. The team you gather and the people in it will also act as a “make-or-break” factor, as your business’s survivability and means to adapt rests on them.

03. Understand The Market

Can your idea be implemented on a global scale or is it only affecting a small village? Understanding the market numbers, having good margins and traction will show that not only you are (can be) profitable, but you’re also delivering that special value that makes you stand out from the others, which will lead you to capturing a bigger slice of the market.

04. Know The Deal

What are you willing to give in return for the money? Is it a long or a short partnership? Matching your timelines to an investor agenda will help determine the nature of your relationship, it could be a transactional or a strategic one.

The deal itself can happen within a span of a month to 12 months. So don’t get discouraged if you’re getting “No” as an answer. Come back with a follow-up result in a span of months for a chance on turning that to a “Yes”, as it shows the persistence of your company.

05. Be Clear and Honest

Self-reflection will also help you determine what your business needs most, be clear and be honest. This attitude will help you to open doors you never knew existed. It can be a form of help if you do good with mentorship or networks, or it can also lead to hard cash flow if you’re ready for growth.

06. Goals of Your Project

It’s also important to determine what’s the endgame of your project. Is it to make $100,000 a month? Or to contribute to society and make you happy? Or be the next unicorn? What’s your vision? There’s also the need to build your features over time and choose which you want to bring forth as the face of your business for the next few years. Having a clear vision will show investors that you acknowledge your core and how you will add value in their life.

With great power comes great responsibility, as a founder it’s pivotal to be conscious of the perks that comes with the investments. Expect a change in working hours and in work-family dynamics. These types of commitment and preparations are needed as investors must have the reassurance that their money will be well-spent.

07. Get to Know The Battlefield

Lastly, the battlefield. What makes a great pitch? It’s when emotions meet facts. The story you’re telling, the bond you’re making with the investors, the numbers you achieve, the projections over the years and most importantly YOU. Personalising your pitch, thinking of the way you act as a torch bearer, a spearhead for your company, will help to convince investors you deserve their attention and capital.

Conclusion
Attracting investors can be challenging and time consuming. That’s why you have to prepare everything very carefully down to the smallest detail. Understanding your core and values will take you one step closer to achieving your goals. At BIC, we help companies prepare and be ready to receive funding. Think you need help getting there? Drop us a line and we’ll set up a one-on-one chat with you. Follow your dreams and make the world a part of it.

What types of companies exist in Indonesia?

As the fourth most populous country in the world and supported by strategic maritime routes and good economic stability, Indonesia offers numerous business opportunities for both domestic as foreign entrepreneurs and investors. With Indonesia’s abundance of commodities and various thriving industries, ranging from tourism to property, the archipelago has continuously proven its status as a major economic power with great potential both regionally and globally, as Indonesia is set to become the fourth most powerful global economy by 2050. According to Trading Economics, economic growth in Indonesia has steadily increased by more than seven percent per year over the last ten years and shows no signs of slowing down. It is clear why Indonesia is considered to be a global favorite of foreign investors to engage in business ventures, start fruitful collaborations and make impactful investments.

If you are looking to expand your efforts within Indonesia’s business landscape, it is important to first gain an understanding of the different types of business structures that are available. Understanding the benefits and limitations of these entities will help you choose the structure best suited for your business objectives. Generally, there are three types of private-owned companies in Indonesia: Company Limited (PT), Commanditaire Vennootschap (CV) and Firma (FA).

PT (Company Limited)

is the first and most common type of legal entity used by local business owners in Indonesia, but may also be formed by foreigners through a PT PMA. This business vehicle is preferred because the shareholders’ responsibility for liabilities and debt of the company are limited to their initial capital contributions, which protects their personal assets. There are several classified types of TPs, with the main characteristics including being a profit-driven business, having a clear corporate jurisdiction and business relationships that are governed by civil law, and generally requiring a minimum of one director, two local Indonesian shareholders and one commissioner. Establishing your company as a PT makes it more convenient to attract capital from the public as shares are easily transferable. More importantly, any Indonesian company that would like to receive foreign investments is required to have PT as its business structure. If you are keen on drawing foreign investors and capital into your business to fuel your growth, establishing your company as a PT is the way to go. Apart from the prior mentioned perks, PTs also have their disadvantages that should be taken into account. Setting up a PT comes with relatively high costs and long processing times, responsibility to make tax reports to the government and the requirement of special local and national permits for the establishment of the company..

CV (Commanditaire Vennootschap or Allied Commanditaire)

which is a business form that is not considered a legal entity as it is not governed by specific regulations, making the general partners personally liable for possible debts of the company. A CV is formed by two or more partners, which fall in the category of either active or silent partners. Active partners provide the venture with capital and run the daily business, while silent partners only provide capital, limiting their responsibility to the capital invested. Advantages of the CV as business structure consist of easier establishment with no minimum capital requirement, ability to acquire larger amounts of capital and credit, and thus greater expansion opportunities. Disadvantages include the limitation of carrying out only various business activities within certain fields, difficulty of pulling back investments, unprotected personal assets and the exclusion of foreigners as potential partners or investors.

FA (Firma)

is a business form which is incorporated by two or more partners, each being solely responsible for the company’s obligations. All members involved sign an agreement, defining the terms of the partnership including their shared name, the duration of the operations and the profit distribution. FA’s are easy to establish, have a clear legal status and allow for efficient deployment of the partner’s distinctive skills and expertise. Nevertheless, as the company is built on strong interpersonal bonds, internal conflict and tension between partners make it prone to threats for its survival and continuity. The firm is disbanded as soon as one of the members leaves, making this business entity less robust than its priorly mentioned counterparts. On top of that, partners have unlimited liability for any possible debts of the company, which potentially could be at the expense of one’s personal assets.


Each type of business structure comes with its own distinctive advantages and disadvantages. Taking the time to understand the regulations and perks related to the relevant business structures will arm you with the right knowledge and benefit your business efforts in the long run. If needed, seek local consultation to support you in deciding on the business structure which best suits your needs. The BIC team wishes you success in setting up your venture capital and will welcome your funding application when your New Paradigm business is ready to grow.

Unpacking the Impact Agenda

The ever-increasing need for sustainable growth in the global economy has given rise to new ways and principles of acquiring assets that create value not only for investors, but also for society as a whole and the environment. For those seeking alternatives to their traditional portfolios and looking for purpose-driven investments to address long-term challenges, welcome to “Impact Investing”.

WHY IMPACT MATTERS

Impact investing, a way to generate measurable positive social and/or environmental benefits while delivering financial returns, is expanding as a promising economic opportunity for investors, stakeholders, and growing entrepreneurs in the developing world. To broaden the scope of environmentally and socially clever business decisions, impact investments have emerged as a sensible response to many socio-economic challenges. This strategy allows investors to intentionally pursue investments on business models that actively combat global issues, and by doing so contribute to the healthy development of the emerging global market economies while giving back to local communities and sustaining livelihoods.

When applied to specific social causes, impact investing has the potential to bring more capital and fresh approaches to targeted issue areas, as investors can directly subsidise organisations aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs). The relationship between impact and investments can be easily conveyed and articulated using SDGs framework. Some of the objectives include, quality education, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, industrial and infrastructure innovation and climate action.

BIG NAMES ALSO ON THIS JOURNEY

In times of recurring risk aversion, capital volatility and stringency in public funding, many of the world’s largest foundations have pledged a significant portion of their assets towards impact investing such as, Ford Foundation’s $1 billion commitment being the largest to date and Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group who committed over $4.7 billion, facilitating the creation and preservation of housing units that affordable to both low to moderate income family.

As this new culture of impact investing in Indonesia is now maturing with the agriculture and fisheries sector as the main focus of the economic market, which is experiencing +5% revenue growth every year, more localisation efforts are being made. Now investors are involving local stakeholders in the operational and fund allocation system, enabling collaboration in the development of the supply chain market. One of the most influential investors in this sector is Openspace Ventures, which is ranked 5th in the identified portfolio with 71% influence on Indonesian economy such as Halodoc, Tani Group, Akulaku, and Sorabel.

IMPACT AS THE NEW NORMAL

It is always a challenge to combine the numerous investment activities with social and environmental objectives. Our shared interest in achieving positive goals while reaping personal financial rewards will be the beginning of many future opportunities as we give back to communities and the natural ecosystems. With the right mix of social objectives and appropriate returns, impact investment is the benchmark we look for to improve portfolio performance. This applies to all sectors.

Here at BIC we see impact investing as more than a smart move, but as a responsibility towards the world that surrounds us. Impact is no longer an option, it has become the way every business should operate. Sustainability is now a collective exercise. We invite investors who share this same vision to help us support entrepreneurs who have the heart and determination to make a difference.

Welcome to Impact Investing

The Evolution Of An Island

by P.D. Pamungkas & T. Courly

Bali is an island bathed in mysticism and much of its origins is left to tales and stories passed on from generation to generation. What remains of its pre-historic era stems largely from the religious influence of Hinduism and Buddhism. Many agree that Bali’s recent past began to develop under the reign of Majapahit Empire in the 17th century, where large scale agriculture and irrigation was developed. The empire also brought Javanese influence towards the creation of architecture, arts, and literature, helping to define the Bali we know today.

The Western history of Bali started with the arrival of European settlers around the same time. These first contacts and expeditions, brought forth the birth of Bali as a new island in a still-growing world map. The western influence continued to root and nurture the island through traders’ efforts to pioneer infrastructure on the island in 1917 and then establishing sailing routes in 1924.

ENTERING THE GLOBAL WORLD

Following the declaration of Independence of Indonesia on 17 August 1945 from Japanese occupation, Bali’s development remained slow for over two decades. Fast forward to 1970 when Ngurah Rai International Airport was opened to help Bali blossom as a world-famous tourist attraction. Bali soon became a global melting pot of foreign influence and commercialisation began to show negative effects on the religious and cultural-centric framework of the Balinese people.

The Kuta terrorist bombings that shocked the nation in 2002 and 2005, were one of the major events that cemented Bali into the period of globalisation. The events that specifically aim to intimidate international tourists turned out to be the ones that helped the island further flourish. Bali Government Tourism Office stated the influx of visitors gradually scaled up from 2 million in 2005 to approximately 10 million in 2019.

PANDEMIC ON THE ISLAND

In 2020, Bali successfully earned 4th place as the Most Popular World Destination for hospitality and fantasy-like destinations. However, the pandemic did force many who depended on tourism to undergo necessary changes. Both private and public organisations have been exploring ways to reshape the foundation of the island’s economy.

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy seeks to optimize digitalisation for global workers to come and live here, and is proposing a special Visa for digital nomads. The unfolding of this scene will drive new kinds of tourism and entertainment to be developed by skilled workers in the aim to create stronger economic hubs in areas like Canggu, Ubud, and Nusa Dua, strengthening the growth of a services-based economy, linked to the rest of Indonesia, Asia, and the world.

The era of digital trading is developing more rapidly. Transactions and hand-in-hand affairs advance into onlines payments through social media and shopping applications, allowing entrepreneurs to strengthen the bond with investors and customers alike.

CONCLUSION

The economic crisis that came with the pandemic pressured the people of Bali to undergo massive changes in their daily lives. Flexibility, adaptiveness to outside cultures and challenging situations are the key survival points at the moment. One of the most favorable efforts is agricultural innovation and digital technology, which stand as the next profitable pillars of the island.

The island of the Gods is an excellent choice for digital nomads and entrepreneurs who seek interdependency in mobility, economy, and technology. “Work & Live in Bali” will continue to be of vital importance for building a stable services-based economy.

At BIC, we believe that entrepreneurs and investors can help each other to pioneer the next shift of this magical island.

Join the evolution. Invest in the New Paradigm.

An Economic Vision for a Post-Pandemic Bali

Our Managing Partner, Tom Courly recently did an interview with Eric Buvelot for Indonesia Expat Magazine (click here to read original article).

Read the full story on how Bali Investment Club is building a new financing model to support Indonesia’s change-makers below…

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged our economies worldwide, there has been much speculation about what our investment will be like tomorrow.

While some believe that once the “plague” is over everything will return like before, some others are betting on a radically different outcome.

So different, in fact, that prominent US news magazine Foreign Policy has already come up with a new word to define this new era of economics: fuzzynomics. An era of more awareness and less greed, where people will have greater control over what they consume and what investments will really mean for the long-term wellbeing of communities.

Wishful thinking, you might say! Here in Bali, BIC (Bali Investment Club) is already working to build a different entrepreneurial model for the iconic tourism island. This new model will broaden sources of income to avoid repeating errors of the past. It’s a scheme that doesn’t only apply to Bali, but to many other parts of the Indonesian archipelago as well. “The last thing Bali needs in the future is another five-star hotel,” says Tom Courly, co-founder of this new financial entity which claims to be the first-ever to set foot in Bali. Before the pandemic, tourism accounted for about 70 percent of the island’s GDP. Now, it’s been one and a half years since holidaymakers deserted the Indonesian island paradise, leaving local communities in disarray.

Consequently, some in the local administration have already figured out, like SMESCO, a private branch of the Ministry of Cooperation and SME, what the economic future of Bali could look like with far fewer tourists. “Their office has contacted us recently and after our first meeting, we both admitted that our purpose was similar,” further explains this Frenchman. He was brought up in South Africa and holds an MBA, along with 10 years of experience in advertising, consulting, and entrepreneurship. “We have the same vision about Bali; a vision that encompasses many transformations, where the island would become a new economic zone,” he asserts.

But how does Bali Investment Club work? It is mainly a financial proxy between expatriates, locals, institutions and businesses. It is a social club, but one with a mission; and some human values that are duly served by its own specific jargon. “We seek high-net-worth individuals, meaning, somebody with around $1 million in liquid financial assets to join our ‘angel network’. We are a hybrid. We sit between venture capital and a social club,” adds the young manager. So far, BIC has managed to attract all sorts of investors: foreign individuals, Indonesians, and sovereign funds, that is state-owned investment funds that deal in real and financial assets with public money. Not to forget the usual venture capital funds possibly joining as one-shot associates on a particular bargain.

 

MOSTLY TARGETING SMEs

If you have between $100,000 and $2 million to invest in a sound project with positive social and environmental impacts in Bali, this is the investor club to join. If you have even more money to invest, BIC offers a hedging strategy as well, a tactic aiming to hedge one investment by making a trade-in another. Another way to say you must not run the risk of putting all your eggs in one basket. On the other hand, if you have only $20,000 in your purse, that will do too, as BIC is mostly targeting SMEs. It is a way to reconnect to Bali’s true economic scale but also to adjust to the very cautious forethought of today’s so-called new normal.

BIC doesn’t bet on radical expansion, like tourism in the past, but on diversification. “Our approach to the island economics is holistic,” he articulates, once again saying a word rarely used in the world of finance. “Bali needs economic stability where tourism will just represent an added income. Bali doesn’t need big international players, but small and medium enterprises which invest in people. We need here to override the logic of outright profit and give our trust to the people,” says Tom Courly. Everything in a spirit of collaboration is outlined by the Indonesian concept of “gotong-royong”, that BIC has made its own since the public launching of their activities last June in Pererenan, Bali.

 

We also do monitoring and act as mentors

Who are the investees targeted by BIC? Any local startup company with “good ideas” about the economic restructuring of Bali. The startup must have completed the “seed stage”, meaning it has already started to prove itself in the real world. It must also be committed to innovative entrepreneurship with added value for the people at the bottom of the economic pyramid and/or the environment. If your business is looking for some growth equity (expansion capital), then you should contact them to progress through their steps. “We don’t just act as bankers to the companies. We also do monitoring and act as mentors once a deal is made. It’s very strategic in a sense, as we help the business to succeed, hence we’re able to remove some risk from the investment,” details the young manager.

Bali Investment Club is a financial tool adapted to the tiny size and huge fame of the island. It pays homage to the unparalleled shine of this mythical place with a distinctively soft approach. It claims core values that are defined in three simple words, “truth, trust, and faith”, and BIC intends to have every stakeholder consider these ideals. It wasn’t always the case in the past. Do you remember the start of mass tourism with the mammoth Nusa Dua complex in the early 80s or the failed Dubai-style polderisation of Benoa Bay more recently? Will the under-construction Kura Kura Bali project that is starting a Balinese-value-based hub for the future in Serangan really be different? Time will tell…

For the time being, BIC is betting on Bali becoming an epicenter for emerging ideas; a hub for new networks, systems, communities, and projects that redefine the way we relate to each other and the world, says its website. From a rural society thrown alive to the big mouth of mass tourism a few decades ago, it is now time to consider Bali with a different perspective on its future. A more respectful one that takes into account the people in a sustainable environment. Will investment clubs like BIC be the key to the metamorphosis? The pandemic has brought up a crucial need for change everywhere, we can fairly admit. Like Tom Courly likes to say with sincere simplicity, “invest in the change you want to see.”

Invest in the change you want to see.

11 Things You Didn’t Know About Indonesia

Southeast Asia has long been at the forefront of impact investing. And many startups and investors in Indonesia are adopting an environmental, social, and governance approach. There are many factors fostering this shift, with the main driver coming from a sudden decrease in tourism, one of the islands’ top revenue sources. We’re witnessing a rapidly growing digital ecosystem that is aligning the value of sustainability with long-term investor interests.

There has never been a better time for impact investment in Indonesia than now. According to conservative estimates, Indonesia offers an estimated USD 23 billion in impact investment opportunities over the next 5 years. With the underlying fundamentals of Indonesia staged for growth, there are various reasons to consider investing in the archipelago country.

Poised for Growth

According to McKinsey & Co, Indonesia is on track to become the world’s 7th largest economy in 2030. This consulting firm also projects an 11% growth per year for consumer spending on financial services and savings as 90 million Indonesians join the middle classes by 2030. Since 1980, Indonesia has demonstrated the most consistent (stable) growth of any economy. Today, it is the 4th most populous country and the 16th largest economy in the world.

Size of the Market

Indonesia’s impact investing market has been on the rise, especially after 2013. The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) refers to Indonesia’s impact investing market as “the largest and most mature in Southeast Asia” both by “capital deployed and several deals”.

Over the next five years, experts predict Indonesia will create around USD 23 billion in investment opportunities to offer impact investors. Multiple sectors will be targeted by both investors and government-sponsored programs with finance, education, food and beverages, tourism and agriculture and fisheries being the industries with the most potential.

Multiple Sectors of Interest

When looking at the most lucrative niches for investment, McKinsey highlights several B2B sectors as well as sectors that contribute to social and environmental impact, like energy, sanitation, reforestation, water, recycling and waste processing. The estimated sales of all sectors combined by 2030 are close to USD 1.4 trillion. To arrive at the investment forecast per sector experts have looked for estimates in expert reports.

Even by conservative estimate of 5% of any sector’s sales being reinvested, the data is very promising. This is conservative since each sector is likely to grow sales by 5% or more each year.

Trends

When it comes to energy consumption, Indonesia is one of the world’s fastest growing countries. At the same time, only 11% of the energy supply is from renewable sources presently. By 2030 IRENA anticipates that renewables will represent 28% of power generation, which will open the door for many new developments and power plant construction projects. Indonesia is the country with the largest potential of geothermal energy resources as hydropower is expected to then generate 2% and other renewables like solar and wind, together generating 1% in 2030.

A Digital Hub

Digital transformation is remaking the business landscape worldwide. But some countries are catching up faster than others. Southeast Asia has been a champion in the adoption of blockchain–a revolutionary technology that has wide applications. From government databases to financial transactions, supply chain management, product tracing, logistics, sustainable development, retail and ecommerce – decentralization and full traceability are two of the main components of blockchain networks. Along with its vast computational power, blockchain is closely tied to the cryptocurrency market – a market that recently passed $2 trillion in valuation.

Regulations in Indonesia are favourable for fostering a digital economy, which will create a more open market. Both local and foreign players are investing in Indonesian tech companies. These investments will accelerate the growth of the digital economy and ecosystem. But since the digital industry is still very young, the opportunities are endless.

At BIC, we believe Indonesia is perfectly positioned to leapfrog its development. The Club actively supports entrepreneurs who are working on sustainable business solutions across various sectors.

Visit our portfolio to view our active investment opportunities.

Invest in the future. Invest in Indonesia.