Indosat, member of Ooredoo Group, and Softbank invest in Indonesia's maturing start-up ecosystem

DOHA, Qatar and JAKARTA, Indonesia, Feb. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Dealoka, a mobile e-commerce app, received its first round of Series A funding in January from SB ISAT, a US $50 million venture fund jointly established by Indosat, member of Ooredoo Group and Japan's Softbank to target Indonesian growth-stage startups. 

Dealoka is one of the first graduates of Ideabox, Indosat and Ooredoo's start-up incubator programme. It is a mobile app which gives users eVouchers based on interest and location allowing merchants to push promotions to drive offline traffic to their physical stores. It currently promotes global brands including, among others, Wendy's, Bakerzin, and Baskin Robbins as well as popular Indonesian merchants such as Dinar Seafood, Cup-Bon, Boba Bits, Honey Bean, Twisto Potato and Shabu Tei.

"Working closely with Ooredoo, our parent company, we are committed to building a strong digital ecosystem in Indonesia," said Alexander Rusli, President Director & CEO Indosat.

He continued: "In addition to running one of Indonesia's most prominent and oldest tech competitions and hackathons, IWIC, we also run Ideabox, an incubator for early stage digital companies, now in its third year of operation, and jointly operate the SB ISAT Fund to help startups progress through growth stage to mature stage development. Through these vehicles, we not only provide funding but also commercial and strategic support to promising Indonesian entrepreneurs, including priority engagement with Indosat's own dedicated Digital Services Unit.  Softbank is one of the leading telecom VCs in the world and through our partnership on the SB-ISAT fund we will bring strong stimulus to Indonesian technology companies at the right stage of development."

Dr Nasser Marafih, Group CEO Ooredoo, commented: "Across our footprint we are passionate about powering innovation in all stages of growth and development.  Indonesia's tech scene is developing at a rapid pace and shows no sign of slowing down.  Through a variety of initiatives we are excited to play a role in supporting the continuous development of innovative and relevant digital services across Indonesia which enhance the lives of consumers and better facilitate enterprise. Continuing to stimulate such innovative thinking is a key priority for 2015."

Sidnei Budiman, co-founder of Dealoka added: "We're really encouraged to work with the SB ISAT team and have the opportunity to benefit from their extensive experience in mobile and digital marketing. Our aim is to empower brick-and-mortar Indonesian merchants to reach the right consumers at the right time with the right message and Indosat's support to date has been invaluable in helping us achieve this.  We are excited to continue our partnership with Indosat and Ooredoo and to have them on-board for the journey ahead."

The Ideabox accelerator offers an intensive 4 month acceleration program which provides 24-7 mentoring, seed funding, facilities, a structured curriculum and access to an extensive network of local and international startup founders and advisors.  Following graduation the startups continue to receive strong support from Indosat and Ooredoo. This support includes commercial partnerships, co-location, payment integration and mobile advertising support to help them achieve success and access millions of Indonesian mobile customers.

About Ooredoo Group

Ooredoo is a leading international communications company delivering mobile, fixed, broadband internet and corporate managed services tailored to the needs of consumers and businesses across markets in South East Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.  As a community-focused company, Ooredoo is guided by its vision of enriching people's lives and its belief that it can stimulate human growth by leveraging communications to help people achieve their full potential. The company was named "Best Mobile Operator of the Year" at the World Communication Awards 2013.

The company reported revenues of US $9.3 billion in 2013 and had a consolidated global customer base of more than 95 million people as of 31 December 2013.

Twitter: @Ooredoo
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About SoftBank Group

SoftBank Group consists of Softbank Corp. (TYO: 9984) and its subsidiaries and affiliates that offer a complete selection of advanced mobile communication services, fixed line communications and Internet services worldwide. By joining Sprint in July 2013, Softbank Group into a leading global operator and currently has 100 million consumers. Maximizing synergies across its business globally SoftBank Group aspires to realize a new living standard through Information Technology. Softbank Group also encourages the application of clean and safe energy throughout its business activities. For more info, visit http://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/

About Dealoka

Dealoka is a local marketing platform that enables merchants to deliver attractive offers to consumers. Dealoka help merchants understand how their products are found by consumers, when and where consumers show interest in a particular product, until the stage that the consumer makes a purchase. Dealoka's goal is to provide attractive location-based offers to online purchases of up directly at the store.
- See more at: http://indosat.com/id/about-indosat/corporate-profile/press-release/dealoka-besutan-indosat-ideabox-raih-dana-sb-isat#sthash.Ja7h7Bts.dpuf

About Indosat

Indosat is the leading telecommunication and information operator in Indonesia that provides cellular services, fixed line, data communications and internet (MIDI). In the third quarter of 2014, the company has 54.2 million mobile subscribers through a variety of brands, among others; IM3, Mentari and Matrix. Indosat operates international direct dialing (IDD) through the access codes 001, 008 and Flatcall 01016. The company also offers corporate and SME solutions namely Indosat Business that supported by integrated telecommunications network throughout Indonesia as well as satellite services via satellite Palapa-D. Indosat also has a very broad digital services program including a dedicated digital services unit (www.indosat.com/digital), Indonesia's first innovation competition IWIC (Indosat Wireless Innovation Contest) and Indonesia's leading startup incubator Ideabox (www.ideabox.co.id). Indosat is a subsidiary of the Ooredoo Group. Indosat's shares are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX: ISAT).

SOURCE Ooredoo