(L-R) Mimin Co-Founders Bayu Ekaputra and Joseph Simbar
Mimin, an Indonesian-based startup offering chat commerce solutions and virtual assistant services for businesses, has secured undisclosed seed funding from Salim Group-owned Otto Digital.
Mimin will use the fresh funding to serve micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and online sellers and strengthen its technology infrastructure and order management software. Otto Digital has a prominent MSME community and networks across Indonesia.
Also Read: F&B ops management platform OrderEZ acquires Cocoon Capital-backed FoodRazor
Founded by Joseph Simbar (CEO) and Bayu Eka Putra (COO), Mimin provides chat commerce automation and an order management platform to help business owners run their stores efficiently. Through the Mimin app, sellers can input orders that came in through chat platforms easily, and the app will automatically generate invoices and payment confirmations. This solution enables businesses to process orders 70 per cent faster and more accurately.
“Based on our findings in the field, many buyers and sellers prefer conversational transactions, such as those conducted via WhatsApp or Instagram direct messages. Mimin aims to assist online sellers by automating order processing, which saves time and effort, as well as enhances business growth. We also offer relevant insights to help businesses innovate based on processed transactions, so that they can innovate based on this valuable business acumen,” said CEO Simbar.
Currently, the Mimin app is used by MSMEs in 20 provinces across 55 cities in Indonesia, particularly in the sectors of homemade F&B, fashion, and daily necessities. To expand its reach, Mimin collaborates with local governments in several areas, such as Sragen and Kep. Riau, and provides training and mentoring to the local MSME community. Its training in Sragen and Kep. Riau has already attracted 10,000 MSMEs to join and utilise the platform to manage their businesses.
To cater to retail companies on a larger scale, Mimin has introduced Mimin Pro, a service that allows businesses to easily process orders received through chat and delegate order fulfilment to the nearest branch.
Also Read: ‘Bootstrapping allows Inmagine flexibility to respond to changing market conditions, client needs’
“We believe that Mimin provides on-target solutions for Indonesian MSMEs and will greatly assist business players in increasing the efficiency of using WhatsApp as their means of selling. This investment is in line with Otto Digital’s vision of building the economy by empowering communities and expanding economic growth to rural areas. Mimin is one of the enablers we need to make it happen. Therefore, our investment represents our commitment to building a stronger Indonesian MSMEs ecosystem,” said Reginald Hamdani, CEO of Otto Digital.
Social commerce (shopping using social media and chatting apps) in Indonesia is projected to grow by 17.9 per cent annually from 2022-2028. According to a 2022 Populix survey, 86 per cent of Indonesians have shopped through social media and chat apps, such as Tiktok Shop (45 per cent), WhatsApp (21 per cent), Facebook (10 per cent), and Instagram (10 per cent).
—
Echelon Asia Summit 2023 is bringing together APAC’s leading startups, corporates, policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to Singapore this June 14-15. Learn more and get tickets here. Echelon also features the TOP100 stage, where startups get the chance to pitch to 5000+ delegates, among other benefits like a chance to connect with investors, visibility through e27 platform, and other prizes. Join TOP100 here.
The post Salim Group unit invests in Indonesian B2B chat commerce automation platform Mimin appeared first on e27.