PT Indonesia Open Network (ION) has officially been established as a\ncompany dedicated to building digital public infrastructure. This\ninitiative aims to support the development of digital trade, expand\nmarket access, and enhance the competitiveness of Indonesian micro,\nsmall, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).<\/p>\n
The establishment of PT ION was marked by the signing of the deed of\nincorporation by its founders, including Sachin Gopalan, Chief Executive\nOfficer of PT Chairos International Ventures, alongside Ronald Walla and\nRudolf Saut Butarbutar, the Chairman and Secretary of the ION Teknologi\nIndonesia Foundation, respectively, at the APINDO Office in Jakarta on\nFriday (04\/09\/2026).<\/p>\n
Dr Bayu Prawira Hie, President Director of PT Indonesia Open Network,\nstated that the formation of this legal entity is a significant\nmilestone for ION\u2019s development in Indonesia. He noted that a formal\nlegal entity is essential as ION\u2019s activities will involve commercial\noperations, business partnerships, investments, and technological\ndevelopment, all of which require clear and accountable legal\nstanding.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday marks the signing of the establishment of PT Indonesia Open\nNetwork. With the birth of PT ION, we now have a legal entity capable of\nconducting various business activities while providing accountability to\nthe shareholders investing in building Indonesia,\u201d said Bayu.<\/p>\n
According to Bayu, PT ION has an authorised share capital of IDR 10\nbillion, with a paid-up capital of IDR 2.5 billion. The company has\nissued 2,500,001 shares, consisting of 2.5 million Series A shares\ntemporarily held by PT Chairos International Ventures, and one special\n\u2018golden share\u2019 held by the ION Teknologi Indonesia Foundation.<\/p>\n
Bayu clarified that the temporary status refers to the shareholding\nof PT Chairos rather than the legality of PT ION itself. The 2.5 million\nshares are intended to be transferred to new investors wishing to\nparticipate in ION\u2019s development. The golden share held by the\nfoundation serves to safeguard the company\u2019s direction, vision, and\nmission, ensuring it remains oriented towards the public interest.<\/p>\n
Once legal formalities are complete, PT ION will immediately\nestablish its organisational structure, finalise agreements with\npartners, and continue pilot projects initiated prior to the official\nincorporation. The next phase involves accelerating the implementation\nof ION as digital infrastructure accessible to businesses and the\ngeneral public.<\/p>\n
To support its expansion, PT ION is targeting an initial investment\nphase of approximately US$100 million. This funding is planned to come\nfrom at least 20 companies, with each contributing around US$5 million.\nThis scheme is designed to ensure that no single shareholder can\ndominate or control the company.<\/p>\n
Bayu noted that the response from potential partners and investors to\nthe ION concept has been very positive. ION is viewed as a\ntransformative solution for MSMEs, particularly in overcoming barriers\nrelated to market access, technology, and marketing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe invite various parties to join us in building ION for the benefit\nof MSMEs and the Indonesian economy. This is not a startup built solely\nfor maximum profit, but rather a digital public infrastructure developed\nfor the common good,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Sachin Gopalan, CEO of PT Chairos International Ventures,\nexplained that PT ION was formed as an investment vehicle for both\ndomestic and international parties. However, domestic investors will\nremain the primary focus, as ION is designed to be a strategic asset for\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
\u201cION will serve as public infrastructure that the community can use\nfor digital trade, while also providing various tools to enable\nIndonesian companies to enhance their digital capabilities,\u201d said\nSachin.<\/p>\n
Sachin continued that PT ION\u2019s ownership structure will be built on\nthe principle of distributed and balanced ownership. No single party\nshould be dominant, as ION must remain an open and independent\ninfrastructure that provides widespread benefits to society.<\/p>\n
The shareholder composition is also expected to represent various\nsectors, ranging from the government or state-owned enterprises,\nbanking, and manufacturing to technology companies. Through this\ncross-sector representation, ION is expected to grow as a national\necosystem that is not controlled by specific industrial interests.<\/p>\n
According to Sachin, several technology companies have already shown\ninterest in developing this open network. Google, for instance, has\nprovided a grant of US$1.5 million to support ION\u2019s development through\nan incubation programme. The funding model utilises a co-funding\npattern, allowing global technology companies to collaborate with local\npartners and other stakeholders in building digital public\ninfrastructure.<\/p>\n
Similar open network concepts have previously been developed in India\nunder the name Open Network Digital Commerce (ONDC). In addition to\nIndonesia, digital open network models are also being prepared for\ndevelopment in Malaysia, Thailand, and Brazil.<\/p>\n
Sachin explained that the ION Teknologi Indonesia Foundation does not\nfunction as a vehicle for bringing in investment, but rather as a\n\u2018mission guardian\u2019 to protect the company\u2019s mandate. This role is\nnecessary to ensure that PT ION does not deviate from its original\npurpose as a digital public infrastructure company.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a company with many shareholders, every party may bring their own\ninterests. Therefore, there must be a neutral party to ensure PT ION\nremains within its established mandate. That is the role of the ION\nTeknologi Indonesia Foundation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In its initial phase, ION will focus on assisting MSMEs in gaining\nmarket access and improving their capabilities.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pt-ion-officially-established-to-serve-as-digital-public-infrastructure-1788537130", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }