Startup Collaboration to Develop Impactful Solutions for SMEs
Startup funding in Indonesia continues to face pressure as the global tech winter persists. In 2025, total startup funding in Indonesia amounted to approximately $355.7 million, a sharp decline from the peak of $6.9 billion in 2021[2.1]. This reflects increasingly tight access to capital for startups, alongside other challenges such as suboptimal business governance, inability to align solutions with market needs, and lack of competitive value propositions.
Amid these challenges, startups remain crucial in driving equitable prosperity. They create jobs, expand financial access, introduce environmental innovations, and strengthen community empowerment across regions.
In response to these challenges, ahead of The 2026 Asia Grassroots Forum, Amartha has launched the Gamechanger Series, a collaborative initiative bringing together cross-sector startups to develop and test solutions with direct impact on SMEs and grassroots communities.
‘The 2026 Asia Grassroots Forum, hosted by Amartha, provides a vital platform for Indonesian startups to present their solutions to a wider ecosystem, including international investor networks partnered with Amartha. We see many startups with relevant innovations to address societal challenges, but they need access to collaboration, validation, and funding support to grow sustainably,’ said Aria Widyanto, Chief Compliance & Sustainability Officer at Amartha. ‘Through the Gamechanger Series, we aim to unlock these opportunities while strengthening a meaningful innovation ecosystem.’
In collaboration with KUMPUL Impact, the Gamechanger Series is designed not just as a discussion forum but as an incubation space for ideation and implementation of solutions with direct impact on SMEs and grassroots communities. The programme will include co-creation workshops, on-the-ground pilot projects, and solution showcase sessions.
This approach ensures startups contribute not just ideas but also real-world implementation within communities. It drives them to develop solutions that are relevant, measurable, and directly applicable in society.
‘Sebagai platform yang berfokus membangun ekosistem inovasi, KUMPUL Impact melihat kolaborasi lintas sektor menjadi kunci agar startup dapat berkembang sekaligus menciptakan dampak yang relevan. Melalui Gamechanger Series, kami ingin menjembatani para inovator dengan kebutuhan nyata UMKM dan masyarakat akar rumput, sehingga solusi yang lahir tidak hanya scalable, tetapi juga memiliki implementasi yang kuat dan berkelanjutan,’ said Sarita Kinanti, Program & Impact Director at KUMPUL Impact.
Alongside the Gamechanger Series, Amartha is hosting a Founder-Investor Matchmaking Session, enabling Indonesian startup founders to connect directly with global investors. Through one-on-one meetings, 80 selected startups will meet 40 investors to explore strategic collaborations and funding opportunities.
All these initiatives will culminate at The 2026 Asia Grassroots Forum, themed ‘Enabling Growth, Elevating Financial Health’, held on 3-4 June 2026 at Shangri-La, Jakarta. The forum will bring together over 500 participants from government, investors, startups, academia, and civil society organisations to foster collaboration in strengthening grassroots economic empowerment across Asia.
‘The 2026 Asia Grassroots Forum is not just a meeting point for stakeholders but a catalyst for building concrete and sustainable cross-sector collaborations. We hope this forum will enhance connectivity between startups, investors, government, and development organisations to expand inclusive growth opportunities for Asian SMEs,’ Aria concluded.