TECHCOOP has completed US$70 million Series A funding in one of Vietnam’s largest-ever funding rounds in the agritech space.

The round comprises US$28 million in equity funding and US$42 million in debt financing. The equity round was co-led by existing investors TNB Aura and Ascend Vietnam Ventures, with participation from new investors such as BlueOrchard, FMO, AppWorks and Capria Ventures.

The company plans to use the capital to strengthen its technology and expand its export infrastructure.

Also Read: How Koina uplifts lives of Vietnamese farmers through its data-driven agritech platform

Equity funding will enhance TECHCOOP’s supply chain integration and direct export capabilities, meeting the increasing demands of global buyers. Debt financing will support advanced risk control measures and robust corporate governance, which are essential for efficient scaling in international markets.

Co-founder and CEO Hao Diep said: “With this funding, we will expedite our mission to empower 2,000 agri-SMEs, 50,000+ farmer clubs, and 10 million smallholder farmers within the supply chain while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. We are enthusiastic about utilising these resources to expand our platform and strengthen partnerships to become a leading agritech company in Southeast Asia.”

Established in late 2022, TECHCOOP provides a B2B platform that delivers end-to-end solutions for export-oriented supply chains. The platform empowers agri-MSMEs and farmer clubs — vital to Vietnam’s agriculture sector — through technology enablement, product traceability, flexible payment terms and enhanced market access for commercialising agricultural goods.

Focusing on high-value crops like cashew nuts, coconut, coffee, and fresh fruits and vegetables, TECHCOOP promotes sustainable farming practices while strengthening Vietnam’s food security.

Also Read: Shifting tides: Vietnam and Philippines challenge Singapore and Indonesia in startup investment

Tuan Nguyen, co-founder and CTO of TECHCOOP, noted the company’s focus on innovation and digital technology to create a strong tech platform connecting agri-MSMEs and farmers’ clubs, including smallholder farmers, to global supply chains.

The startup claims it has already achieved profitability while sustaining a 10 per cent month-on-month growth rate. It is on track to achieve US$130 million in annualised revenue by the end of 2024, with projections reaching US$250 million by 2025 and US$400 million by 2026.

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Indonesia-based healthtech startup Bumame has raised an undisclosed sum in a pre-Series A funding round led by Alpha JWC Ventures.

500 Global and Kopital Ventures joined the round.

The new funding will enable Bumame to accelerate its digital transformation and expand its healthcare offerings, focusing on early detection, fast and accurate diagnostic results, and tailored health insights to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health.

Established in 2020, Bumame initially provided accessible COVID-19 testing services to millions of Indonesians. Building on this foundation of trust, the company has evolved to tackle Indonesia’s broader healthcare challenges through innovation, technology, and a proactive approach.

Also Read: Is blockchain the future of medicine in creating a more secure healthcare?

Bumame now provides modern diagnostic solutions, proactive health screenings, and personalised health guidance.

Indonesia’s healthcare market was valued at approximately US$50 billion in 2024, with an annual growth rate of 11 per cent.

Chandra Tjan, co-founder and General Partner at Alpha JWC Ventures, noted that the funding demonstrates trust in Bumame’s vision. By prioritising technology, proactive care, and high-quality products sourced from top principals with global standards, Bumame ensures that healthcare is both accessible and affordable for all Indonesians.

Alpha JWC Ventures is an early to growth-stage Southeast Asian VC firm with approximately US$650 million assets under management (AUM), while 500 Global is a multi-stage investment firm with US$2.2B in AUM, investing in globally ambitious founders. Kopital Ventures is an early-stage, sector-agnostic VC firm primarily focused on Indonesia, founded in September 2023.

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In today’s fast-paced world, both individuals and organisations often focus heavily on time management, productivity hacks, and efficiency. But what’s often overlooked is something far more essential: energy management.

The ability to manage your energy effectively can dramatically impact personal performance, leadership effectiveness, and organisational success!

Here are five reasons why energy management is a game-changer:

Increases productivity and focus

Managing energy, rather than time, is the real key to sustained productivity. It’s not just about how many hours you work; it’s about the quality of the energy you bring to those hours. High energy levels lead to better focus, sharper decision-making, and greater efficiency. By aligning your most demanding tasks with your peak energy times, you can maximise output without burning out.

“When you manage your energy well, you make the hours count, not just count the hours.”

Enhances emotional resilience

Energy management is directly linked to emotional well-being. When your energy is depleted, stress and burnout become more prevalent, leading to poor emotional regulation. By prioritising activities that renew and sustain your energy—such as exercise, sleep, mindfulness, and even short breaks—you build emotional resilience, allowing you to handle challenges more effectively.

“Resilience isn’t just about pushing through; it’s about knowing when to recharge.”

Also Read: What is keeping founders up at night?

Boosts creativity and innovation

Creativity thrives when your energy is at its peak. Whether you’re an individual seeking to spark new ideas or an organisation striving to innovate, energy is the fuel that drives creative thinking. When energy levels are low, creativity suffers, leading to stagnation and a lack of fresh perspectives. By managing energy levels, individuals and teams can tap into higher states of creativity and innovation.

“Innovation is born from energy. If you want to create, you must first energise.”

Fosters stronger leadership and employee engagement

Effective leadership requires both mental and emotional energy. Leaders who manage their energy well are better equipped to inspire and engage their teams. When leaders are energised, they can bring their best selves to the table—resulting in more authentic connections, better communication, and higher levels of employee engagement. Conversely, low-energy leaders can demotivate their teams, leading to disengagement and turnover.

“Leaders who manage their energy can create a ripple effect of engagement throughout their organisation.”

Supports long-term organisational health

Energy management at the organisational level goes beyond just individual well-being—it impacts the overall health and longevity of the business. Organisations that prioritise energy renewal, such as encouraging work-life balance, fostering a supportive work environment, and implementing wellness programs, tend to have lower employee burnout, higher retention rates, and better overall performance.

“An organisation’s success is the collective energy of its people. Keep that energy thriving, and success will follow.”

By focusing on energy management, both individuals and organisations can unlock greater levels of success, sustainability, and growth. It’s not just about doing more—it’s about doing it with the right energy, leading to long-term success and well-being.

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This article was first published on August 28, 2024

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In the whirlwind of today’s fast-paced technological world, I’ve often found myself navigating the delicate dance between the need for speed and the desire for sustainability. This balance has been a constant theme in my career—a challenge that has deeply influenced how I lead, work, and live.

The early rush: Chasing speed and success

When I first started my career, I was driven by the thrill of quick wins. I was eager to prove myself and to show that I could deliver results rapidly and efficiently. The corporate world loves speed, and I was determined to keep up. I pushed myself hard, always striving for more—more productivity, more success, more recognition.

But as I raced forward, I began to notice something unsettling. The relentless pace I was keeping came with a cost. Projects that moved too fast often missed crucial details, leading to long-term issues. Personally, I started to feel the strain of constantly being in overdrive. The push for immediate results was burning me out, and I realised that this wasn’t sustainable—not for me, not for my teams, and not for the organisations I was part of.

A wake-up call: The need for a better balance

It wasn’t until I took a step back that I realised something needed to change. I started to see that real success isn’t just about how fast I can go, but how far I can go without losing my way. This realisation was a turning point for me. I knew I had to rethink my approach—not just in my work, but in how I was living my life.

Slowing down wasn’t easy. It meant letting go of the constant rush and taking time to plan more thoughtfully. It meant considering the long-term impact of my decisions, even when it felt like everything needed to be done yesterday. But it was a necessary change if I wanted to achieve something more meaningful than just quick wins.

Also Read: Why finding your co-founder is a lot like meeting your soulmate

Blending speed with sustainability

As I grew in my career, I began to focus on how to blend speed with sustainability. I learned that these two goals don’t have to be at odds with each other—they can actually work hand in hand when approached with care. By investing in strong, resilient teams, I found we could still move quickly when needed, but without the burnout and without compromising on quality.

This approach spilled over into my personal life, too. As a working parent, the importance of balance became even clearer. I didn’t want to just excel at work; I wanted to be there for my family, too. I realised that the same principles of sustainability and resilience that I applied at work could help me create a more fulfilling and balanced home life as well.

Reflecting on the journey: Learning to adapt

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of reflection and adaptation. It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of a fast-paced environment, but taking a moment to step back, breathe, and reassess has made all the difference for me. This practice has helped me stay grounded, make better decisions, and lead with a sense of purpose and clarity.

Through this journey, I’ve come to understand that balancing speed, agility, and sustainability isn’t a one-time achievement—it’s an ongoing process. It requires constant attention and a willingness to adapt to whatever comes your way. But when you get it right, the rewards are far greater than just hitting the next milestone. It leads to a richer, more fulfilling career and a life that feels truly aligned with your values.

Looking ahead: Committed to sustainable success

Today, as I continue to navigate the challenges of leadership and life, I’m more committed than ever to this balanced approach. I’ve seen how it can transform not just my own experience, but also the experiences of those around me. By embracing both speed and sustainability, I’ve been able to achieve results that aren’t just impressive in the short term, but meaningful and lasting.

My journey is still unfolding, and I know there will be more twists and turns ahead. But with the lessons I’ve learned, I’m confident that I can continue to grow, and to thrive—without sacrificing the principles that have guided me this far.

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

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Image credit: Canva Pro

This article was first published on August 28, 2024

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Data from Universitas Gadjah Mada in 2020 revealed that Indonesia is home to 33 million farmers, yet only three per cent of them hold a university degree. Additionally, the Indonesia Central Bureau of Statistics reported that 73 per cent of workers in the agriculture sector have only completed elementary school. This data may contribute to the low levels of sustainable business orientation among local farmers in Indonesia.

The inadequate sustainable business orientation can affect the quality of local farmers. For instance, many farmers lack the motivation to professionalise their agribusiness, are unaware of how to maintain or scale their operations, and do not know how to increase productivity. Many Indonesian farmers rely solely on traditional practices passed down from their parents, treating farming as an inherited obligation rather than a profession.

This recurring cycle can create a never-ending loop that prevents the improvement of our farmers’ quality. It highlights the farmers’ unpreparedness to adopt and utilise modern technology.

Does agriculture really need technology?

The purpose of technology is to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in various activities. For example, Gojek allows users to easily order food, while Moka Pos assists small and medium businesses in managing inventory and accounting systems. In agriculture, platforms like Tanihub, Sayurbox, and Segari empower farmers by connecting them directly to consumers.

However, technology solutions like e-grocery address only one of the agriculture sector’s challenges—distribution. In reality, agriculture faces three fundamental issues: the farmers’ fixed mindset, low productivity, and unequal distribution.

Furthermore, startups such as Tanihub, Sayurbox, and Segari have not yet reached all areas of Indonesia or connected all farmers to end customers. This remains a significant problem. Many applications focus on digitising administrative and operational processes without necessarily improving productivity or product quality.

In contrast, fintech and edutech demonstrate how mobile applications can enhance security and speed in financial transactions and facilitate learning from anywhere. However, farmers do not primarily require apps that merely digitise administrative tasks; they need more profound solutions related to farming technology—such as biopore systems, microgreens, and more—to increase productivity. While leveraging mobile apps for customer engagement is useful, farmers need impactful technologies that go beyond just digitalising paperwork.

Also Read: Lever VC’s Fund II secures US$50M for global food, agritech investments

One innovative startup, Habibi Garden, offers specific technologies like HabibiCooling, a high-pressure pump for cooling greenhouses, and HabibiClimate, a thermo-hygrometer. However, these solutions can be costly, making them unaffordable for many local farmers.

In Indonesia, 60 per cent of farmers are categorised as “gurem farmers” or “petani gurem,” meaning their land is less than 0.5 hectares—too small for sustainable commercial farming. This aligns with the fact that local farmers earn around 500,000 to 1 million rupiahs per month.

Therefore, AI technology and mobile apps are not suitable approaches for supporting local farmers. Before implementing such solutions, we must first shift farmers’ mindsets towards commercialisation in agribusiness.

Distribution systems: The second layer of agriculture’s challenges

As an archipelago nation with thousands of islands, Indonesia faces significant challenges in supply chain and logistics for distributing products, including agricultural goods. The distance is not the only issue; varying land contours, different climate conditions, and crime rates can also hinder transportation between provinces.

Indonesia has 10 designated food hub areas, such as South Sumatra, West Sumatra, Lampung, West Java, Central Java, East Java, South Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara, South Kalimantan, and Papua. However, some of these areas, like Bandar Lampung, face low food security due to inadequate distribution systems and accessibility.

For example, South Lampung is a key area for growing specific crops like chili, corn, and cabbage, located 40-50 minutes from Bandar Lampung. This centralisation can lead to supply shortages in several areas that do not cultivate these crops. If more farmers grew similar products, they could better meet local demand.

Also Read: Fertile ground for partnership: How agritech boom in SEA holds a promise for Latin America

Revolutionising local farmers’ perspectives is essential

The core issue affecting agriculture in Indonesia is the mindset and perspective of local farmers regarding agriculture as a sustainable business. Most view it merely as a way to produce commodities for income. However, agriculture has far greater potential. Local farmers often lack essential skills in leadership, project management, business orientation, marketing, and negotiation.

To address this, they need specific training and knowledge to help them perceive farming as a sustainable business rather than just a means of income. Although the government has launched various farmer education programs, these often have shortcomings that need to be addressed.

Ultimately, the Indonesian agriculture sector requires a shift in farmer mindsets regarding business practices rather than merely advanced technology. Supporting them with foundational knowledge and farming technologies like biopore systems, hydroponics, microgreen techniques or others is vital. Once this foundation is established, we can then focus on improving the distribution process, including third-party involvement.

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

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Image credit: Ministry of Finance Indonesia

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