The spotlight was on five groundbreaking AI startups at Indonesia AI Day 2024, held at The Tribrata Dharmawangsa in Jakarta on November 14. These startups participated in the "Pitch Battle," an exciting event designed to highlight innovative AI-driven solutions in a competitive format. Supported by Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) and the Artificial Intelligence Institute for Progress (AIIP), the event brought together emerging AI talent and industry stakeholders, including venture capitalists, to foster collaboration and accelerate AI adoption across Indonesia.

The five finalists of the Pitch Battle—Devcode.ai, Serenic.ai, Farmagain, Spasial AI, and TenangAI—had just four minutes to pitch their AI-powered products before a distinguished panel of judges. The judges included experts from various sectors, such as Andora Michi (Innovations Factory), Imam Usman (Ruangguru), Peter Shearer (Wahyoo), Ray Frederick (Alpha JWC Ventures), and Rudiantara (former Minister of Communication and Information Technology). Each startup was given a chance to showcase their innovations, followed by a brief Q&A session where the judges probed the companies on the uniqueness and potential impact of their AI solutions.

The Pitch Battle was a vital part of the broader Indonesia AI Day agenda, which sought to connect startups with venture capitalists and other industry leaders. The event’s main goal was to promote AI innovation in key sectors such as agriculture, urban development, education, and gender equality, while also encouraging further digital transformation in Indonesia. The startups were selected based on their focus on one of the five key themes outlined by the organizers: the growth of emerging cities, food security through sustainable practices, enhancing national education scores, empowering MSMEs, and bridging the gender gap to empower women.

Among the five startups, Devcode.ai, which offers an AI-powered platform for digital lending, received particular praise. Andora Michi, a judge from Innovations Factory, commended Devcode’s potential to solve critical digital transformation challenges in Indonesia, particularly the shortage of tech talent. This recognition highlights the real-world impact AI can have on solving some of the country’s most pressing issues.

While some of the startups were still in prototype stages, others had already gained traction in the market, showcasing both the early and advanced stages of AI innovation. This diversity in development stages reflected the inclusive nature of the event, which welcomed startups at various points of growth, from pre-seed companies with teams of just two to four people to more established players.

The five finalists competed for the opportunity to engage with the event’s judges in a more intimate setting, gaining valuable networking opportunities and insights. This chance to engage with industry leaders is an important step for startups looking to scale their AI innovations and secure future funding or partnerships.

KATADATA