Unlocking cross-border opportunities: ACV Capital and Austrade’s tech mixer driving Australia-Indonesia collaboration

Published on April 28, 2025

ACV Capital, in collaboration with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), recently hosted an insightful tech mixer that brought together founders, investors, and business leaders to explore cross-border opportunities between Indonesia and Australia. The event, which featured opening remarks from Lauren Adams, Trade Commissioner, Austrade Jakarta, and Ariel Indra, VP of Investment, ACV Capital, underscored the strong economic potential of the Southeast Asian region and the increasing opportunities for collaboration in key industries such as climate tech, fintech, and enterprise solutions.

Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, is emerging as one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions. With a combined GDP of US$3 trillion and over 600 million people, the region offers a rapidly expanding digital economy. In Indonesia, the digital economy is expected to reach US$90 billion by 2024, making it one of the most promising markets for investment. The growing internet access across the region—75% of the population is online—provides a strong foundation for digital innovation.

The strengthening economic ties between Australia and Indonesia are driving significant growth in various sectors. The recent upgrade of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) simplifies trade and unlocks e-commerce opportunities. Australia’s commitment to the region is also evident in its $1.3 billion annual Official Development Assistance and its Southeast Asia Regional Development Partnership Plan for 2024-2028. These initiatives offer an ideal foundation for startups and investors looking to scale across borders.

Key industries, including renewable energy, digital financial services, SaaS, and enterprise software, are seeing increased cross-border investments. In 2024, Australian investment in Indonesia grew by 34%, signaling strong potential for collaboration. Notable investments include:

• Western Sydney University opening a campus in Surabaya to support digital talent development
• ACV Capital’s climate strategy receiving USD 8M from Australian Development Investments to drive sustainable innovation
• Orica’s AUD 20M investment in East Kalimantan, creating 50 skilled jobs through advanced manufacturing and automation
  

These investments signal the strength of collaboration in technology, sustainability, and digital services, as Australia and Indonesia work together to address the growing demand for innovative solutions.

Sector-specific opportunities

During the mixer, panelists from leading companies, including Eka Himawan, Co-founder & Managing Director of Xurya, Rifanditto A., Co-founder & CEO of Sirka, Robert Morrish, CEO & Founder of Cybe Asia, and Billy Saputra, Country Director Indonesia of Braintip AI, shared their experiences and explored the opportunities for startups in the Australia-Indonesia corridor. Some key takeaways include:

• Climate Tech: Xurya highlighted the increasing interest from Australian investors in Indonesia’s clean energy sector, underscoring the growing demand for sustainable solutions.
• AI and Digital Health: Cybe Asia and Braintip AI discussed how AI is emerging as a key driver of economic growth, offering opportunities for cross-border collaboration in AI-driven solutions in healthcare and digital identity.
• Personalized Digital Health: Sirka emphasized the growing demand for personalized health coaching and the role of technology in scaling such solutions, with opportunities for collaboration with Australian research institutions and tech companies.

Challenges in cross-border expansion

Despite the immense opportunities, scaling across borders comes with its challenges. Regulatory differences, market localization, talent acquisition, and funding access are common hurdles faced by startups. Xurya discussed regulatory challenges for clean energy startups in Indonesia, while Cybe Asia highlighted complexities surrounding data governance and digital identity. However, understanding local regulations and working closely with both local and international investors is crucial for navigating these challenges effectively.

The role of investors and government support

Investors play a critical role in cross-border expansion. Australia is Indonesia’s 11th largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), with venture capital firms and institutional investors offering not only funding but also strategic support, market access, and industry expertise. Australian initiatives, such as the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, provide a framework for strengthening trade, investment, and business partnerships in the region, paving the way for deeper digital collaboration between Australia and Indonesia.

Looking ahead: The future of Australia-Indonesia collaboration

As both countries continue to integrate their digital economies, the future of Australia-Indonesia collaboration looks promising. Beyond financial investment, the partnership is set to foster knowledge exchange, talent mobility, and joint innovation. The growing interest in sectors such as AI, sustainability, fintech, and infrastructure underscores the immense potential for cross-border collaboration in shaping the next generation of tech-driven businesses.