startups

Indonesia to Replace VC Firms with Vending Machines That Dispense Funding at Random

Indonesia launches vending machines that randomly dispense startup funding, replacing VC firms in an experiment to improve capital allocation.

Dec 2 • Leigh McKiernon

VC Firm Celebrates Another Successful Year of Strategic Losses

AltBridge Capital celebrated after 9 of its 10 portfolio startups collapsed this year, calling the losses a strategic victory for the firm.

Nov 29 • Leigh McKiernon

New App Aims to Help Indonesia’s Poor. Requires iPhone 17 Pro Max

An Indonesian startup has launched a financial inclusion app for the underbanked... exclusively for iPhone 17 Pro Max users.

Nov 25 • Leigh McKiernon

New Law Requires All VC Associates to Wear T-Shirts Saying “Not an Actual Investor”

Indonesia now requires VC associates under 30 to wear T-shirts saying “Not an Actual Investor” to curb confusion in the startup scene.

Nov 21 • Leigh McKiernon

Founder Who Refused VC Funding Forced to Eat Lunch at Regular Restaurant

After refusing VC funding, a Singapore startup founder faces the unthinkable... eating at Subway like a regular person.

Nov 20 • Leigh McKiernon

New AI Tool Translates ‘Polite British Email’ into Actual Meaning for Americans

New app Contextify debuts, revealing what British professionals truly mean behind phrases like “Not sure if you saw my last note.”

Nov 17 • Leigh McKiernon

Startup Raises $10M Using Pitch Deck Created by Rejected Applicant

An Indonesian startup raised $10M using a pitch deck submitted by a job applicant they didn’t hire. Genius or exploitation?

Nov 13 • Leigh McKiernon

Founder Who Grew Up in Gated Community Releases Memoir Titled ‘Built From Nothing’

Indonesian startup founder Kevin Gunawan releases Built From Nothing, a memoir chronicling his rise from gated community to Series A funding.

Nov 10 • Leigh McKiernon

Startup Founder Who ‘Failed Heroically’ Somehow Still Buys $2M Villa in Bali

An Indonesian founder shuts down his startup, walks away with millions, and buys a $2M Bali villa. Failure never looked so rewarding.

Nov 7 • Leigh McKiernon

Study Finds 98% of Indonesian Startups Were Just Elaborate Excuses to Raise Seed Rounds

Report reveals Indonesia’s startup boom was built on fundraising, not innovation. Founders raised, cashed out, and moved on.

Nov 3 • Leigh McKiernon

Indonesia’s Startup Scene Applies for UNESCO Protection as World’s Largest Bubble

Venture capitalists push to make Indonesia’s startup bubble a UNESCO site, calling it a fragile ecosystem of hype worth protecting.

Oct 31 • Leigh McKiernon

Forbes Clarifies: ‘Under 30’ Refers to Number of Days to Get on the List After Payment

Forbes finally clears the air: ‘Under 30’ now means how fast your payment clears. Recognition, delivered in 30 days or less.

Oct 26 • Leigh McKiernon

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