Google for Entrepreneurs, KIBAR launch Google Lounge

• To provide financial support and the resources of co-working spaces to startups
• Allows members to access more than 20 Google partner spaces worldwide

KIBAR and Google for Entrepreneurs recently announced the opening of the Google Lounge in their new home in Central Jakarta.

The Google Lounge will foster a community of entrepreneurs, developers, and creatives to strengthen the startup ecosystem in Indonesia.

Google Lounge is sponsored by Google for Entrepreneurs, which provides financial support and Google's resources to dozens of co-working spaces and community programmes across 135 countries.

"We’re thrilled to expand our Google for Entrepreneurs Partner Network to Indonesia by partnering with KIBAR in Jakarta. KIBAR is a leading player in the country’s startup ecosystem and is dedicated to developing the next generation of entrepreneurs in Indonesia,” said Google for Entrepreneurs APAC partnership manager Michael Kim.

The Indonesian government also supports this collaboration.

“The Government appreciates this collaboration, we encourage startup players to join in and contribute to nation’s growth in digital and creative economy.

 “Technology is the tool in creating ecosystem. Key of this ecosystem is the courage from the “people”. This country needs more “leaderships” in the ecosystem to be able to grow,” says Minister of Communications and Information Rudiantara.

KIBAR will join 50 other organisations with a global footprint of more than 135 countries, including six campuses (Google’s owned and operated space for entrepreneurs).

It will also have access to the Google for Entrepreneurs Passport programme, which allows members of the Google Lounge to access more than 20 Google partner spaces around the world.

“We're very proud of these initial steps we're taking to give local startups more opportunities to develop with startups from around the world. This partnership affirms Google’s commitment to Indonesia and helping it become the largest digital economy in Southeast Asia.

“The KIBAR team has a close relationship with key players in the industry and understands how to build a thriving community,” said Google Indonesia managing director Tony Keusgen.

According to Keusgen, this collaboration also complements Google’s broader efforts to invest in the startup and developer ecosystem.

Google Indonesia is committed to training up to 100,000 mobile developers through offline and online curriculums and trainer-led coding workshops called Indonesia Android Kejar.

KIBAR and Google for Entrepreneurs will create a series of programmes to empower Indonesian members. Past initiatives include the Campus Exchange Fintech programme as well as programmes focused on empowering women entrepreneurs and other innovations in technology.

“This marks another historical milestone in our mission to bring Indonesian talent to the global stage. We are very excited about this partnership with Google for Entrepreneurs, we believe it will produce the next generation of innovators, creators and entrepreneurs in Indonesia,” says KIBAR chief executive Yansen Kamto.

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