Eight Indonesian startups have been included in the Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2026 list, which features small companies and startups considered to have growth prospects in the Asia-Pacific region (31/08).

The eight startups operate across various sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare, fintech, e-commerce, green energy and environmental management.

Forbes Asia said AI was the dominant theme in this year's list. Almost one-quarter of the companies are business technology companies offering AI-based services.

Overall, companies included in the Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2026 have raised $2.4 billion in funding, equivalent to around Rp 42.59 trillion, based on an exchange rate of Rp 17,745 per US dollar. Nearly $1 billion, or around Rp 17.75 trillion, was raised during 2026 up to the time the list was compiled.

Eight Indonesian Startups on the Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2026 List

Indonesia contributed eight companies to the list, the same number as Australia. India had the largest number with 19 companies, followed by Singapore with 15, China with 10, and Japan and South Korea with nine each.

The eight Indonesian startups are Cekat.AI, Durianpay, Grouu, Loluna, Satu Dental, Sirka, Soul Parking and Waste4Change.

Cekat.AI

Cekat.AI is a Jakarta-based technology company founded in 2023 by Matthew Sebastian. It develops AI-based customer service automation, including AI bots that answer customer questions through websites and messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram.

The company said more than 3,000 customers across 15 industries have used its software. Its customers include Siloam Hospitals and Indomaret.

In April 2026, Cekat.AI received an undisclosed seed investment from Insignia Ventures Partners. The funding will be used to recruit more software engineers and support regional expansion.

Durianpay

Durianpay is a Jakarta-based fintech company that provides payment services for businesses. It recorded more than $5.5 billion in total transactions throughout 2025 and said that 2025 was its first profitable year.

Founded in 2020 by Natasha Ardiani, Durianpay now serves more than 400 clients in Indonesia, including Jiwa Group and social commerce platform Evermos.

The company has raised $8.1 million through several investment rounds. It plans to expand its services outside Indonesia and add cross-border payment services supported by stablecoins.

Grouu and Loluna

Grouu operates in the food and beverage sector, initially focusing on nutritious and fresh food for babies. Founded in 2020 by Jessica Marthin, the company later expanded into ready-to-eat meals and snacks for older children.

Grouu also sells cooking ingredients through various distribution channels. Its products are available at more than 3,000 supermarket outlets, including Lottemart, and through online platforms such as Shopee.

The company has also built a network of more than 190 mompreneurs in 50 cities who serve as product collection points in customers' residential areas. Grouu has raised more than $1 million from investors including Teja Ventures and Selera Kapital.

Loluna is an Indonesian baby-care brand founded in 2022 by Bianca Belnadia Lie. Its products include body wash, creams and sunscreen lotions for babies and children.

The company began selling its products in September 2023. Its products are now available in 10,000 stores in Indonesia, including Alfamidi and Watsons, as well as online platforms such as Shopee and TikTok Shop.

In February 2025, Loluna received an undisclosed seed investment from investors including Alpha JWC Ventures and Creative Gorilla Capital.

Healthcare and Parking Technology

Satu Dental provides dental healthcare services aimed at making treatment more affordable. Founded in 2021 by Satria Situmorang, the company has grown alongside the increasing trend of personal care among young Indonesians.

As of June 2026, Satu Dental had 56 clinics across Greater Jakarta and two other major cities on Java. It also works with a network of about 500 dentists and general practitioners.

Satu Dental said it has raised more than $20 million through several investment rounds. In June 2026, it received another undisclosed funding round and is targeting more than 60 clinics by the end of 2026.

Sirka was initially established as a health application offering dietary guidance and consultations with professionals. Founded in 2021 by Rifanditto Adhikara, the company later expanded its business through partnerships with healthcare clinics.

In 2024, Sirka opened its own healthcare clinic focusing on weight management, digestive health, diabetes care and chronic disease management. It currently has two clinics in Greater Jakarta and plans to open three more clinics during 2026.

Sirka raised $2.6 million in seed funding in 2022. The round was jointly led by ACV Capital and Wavemaker Partners.

Soul Parking develops technology to address parking problems in Indonesian cities. Founded in Jakarta in 2020 by Kenneth Darmansjah, the company provides smart parking systems and an application for vehicle users.

One of its technologies is a vertical mechanical steel rack for motorcycles. The company said the system can increase parking capacity by up to eight times compared with conventional parking spaces.

Soul Parking also provides an operating system that controls parking gates and records vehicle entry and exit data in real time. Its application allows drivers to find parking spaces, make digital payments and request their motorcycles to be brought out earlier.

The company currently manages 150 locations in Indonesia. In January 2025, it completed a Series A extension funding round led by ACV Capital and venture capital firm AppWorks. The funding will be used to expand into second- and third-tier cities.

Waste Management and AI Lead the List

Waste4Change operates in waste management and aims to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. Founded in 2014 by Mohamad Bijaksana Junerosano, the company provides programs including material recycling and organic waste composting.

Waste4Change said it has managed more than 90,000 tons of waste since its establishment, including about 38,000 tons during 2025. It has around 400 corporate customers and 21,000 household customers.

The company received $5 million in Series A funding in 2022. The round was jointly led by ACV Capital and Barito Mitra Investama, which is owned by businessman Prajogo Pangestu.

Forbes Asia said AI is the main theme of the 100 to Watch list this year. Almost one-quarter of the companies are business technology companies offering AI-related services to help businesses automate tasks and improve operational efficiency.

Robotics also has a significant presence, with 10 companies in the list operating in the sector. Their technologies range from service robots for older people to specialized robots used in research laboratories.

Robotics technology is also being developed for healthcare. One company on the list is developing medical nanorobots that are too small to be seen by the naked eye and could potentially be used to deliver cancer treatment more precisely.

Green technology and sustainability are also represented by 10 companies. Their technologies include seaweed-based alternatives to plastic and modular treatment systems that can turn seawater and industrial waste into clean water.

Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2026 Selection Criteria

Forbes Asia compiled the list through online submissions and invited accelerators, incubators, universities, venture capital firms and other parties to submit nominations.

Eligible companies must be headquartered in the Asia-Pacific region and must be privately owned, for-profit businesses. They must also have annual revenue of no more than $50 million.

Their total funding must not exceed $100 million as of August 15, 2026.

Forbes evaluated companies based on several factors, including their impact and contribution to their industries and the region, product-market fit, business model prospects, innovation, revenue growth record and ability to attract funding.

Forbes Asia also said its editorial team has the right to remove or replace companies or individuals from the list if new information shows that they no longer meet the eligibility requirements.

PHOTO: FORBES

This article was created with AI assistance.

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