Tokopedia Founder Ready to Be Open, Anyone Can Ask Directly

Tokopedia co-founder Leontinus Alpha Edison has an important message for small-scale entrepreneurs: be confident. Now serving as Deputy for Community Economic Empowerment and Migrant Worker Protection at the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment, he recalled that Tokopedia only recorded transactions of Rp 33 million shortly after its launch in August 2009, before growing to its current size. “So, I have no problem with entrepreneurs here still being small. The important thing is not to lack confidence. Just go for it. There are many good mentors here,” Leontinus said at the ‘Celebration of Local Shopping Collaboration’ event between Tokopedia and TikTok Shop Indonesia in Jakarta on Thursday.

He also said entrepreneurs could contact him directly. If he has spare time, he still reads messages sent to his social media and tries to reply. On that occasion, Leontinus unveiled a programme he designed called ‘Perintis Berdaya’ (Empowered Pioneers), drawing on his experience at Tokopedia. One pillar of the programme is the need for entrepreneurs to be accompanied by mentors. He noted that Tokopedia’s investors had served as mentors for him and co-founder William Tanuwijaya.

Another pillar is access, opening up opportunities for learning and whatever entrepreneurs need, such as raw materials and finance. There is also the issue of financing. Leontinus observed a difference between fundraising during Tokopedia’s early days and the situation now. He admitted that he and William were never asked about assets by their funders, unlike today’s entrepreneurs. He expressed a personal ambition to establish clear regulations on this matter, so that assessments are not solely asset-based but also consider business profiles, cost structures, revenue structures, and market dynamics. The final pillar is the empowerment and protection of migrant workers.