Microsoft Indonesia President Director Haris Izmee (L) with Bukalapak CEO Rachmat Kaimuddin
Microsoft has formed a strategic partnership with Indonesia’s leading e-commerce platform Bukalapak.
As part of the agreement, the e-commerce firm will adopt Microsoft Azure as its preferred cloud platform, while Microsoft will make a strategic investment in Bukalapak.
As per a Bloomberg report, Bukalapak is raising a US$100 million funding round, in which Microsoft will co-invest, along with existing backers GIC and Emtek Group, for a valuation between US$2.5 billion and US$3 billion.
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As per a press statement, the partnership will leverage Microsoft’s expertise in building a resilient cloud infrastructure to support Bukalapak services for more than 12 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and 100 million customers.
“This partnership signals a deep collaboration with Microsoft on an array of technology projects that will transform the technology-driven commerce solutions and operations solution and operations in Indonesia,” said Rachmat Kaimuddin, CEO of Bukalapak.
“As a global technology leader, Microsoft’s confidence with Bukalapak highlights our position as the leading homegrown technology player in Indonesia and our continued objective to create a positive impact on our country and customers,” he added.
Additionally, the two companies plan to collaborate on providing digital skills training for Bukalapak employees and merchants. This is part of their ambition to bridge the digital gaps present within the archipelago.
“Bukalapak and their services have had a real and enduring impact on Indonesian society, and their innovation mindset in a rapidly changing market will create new opportunities for merchants, businesses and consumers,” said Haris Izmee, President Director of Microsoft Indonesia.
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Bukalapak was founded in 2010 with the mission of empowering Indonesia through digital technology. In addition to e-commerce, the unicorn also offers financial services and payment options for its users.
Beyond e-commerce, Bukalapak aims to transform the economy through digitalising traditional warungs (mom and pop kiosks) to enable businesses across the archipelago to gain access to an online economy.
In December last year, Shinhan GIB, the investment banking unit of South Korean financial group Shinhan Financial Group, announced participation in Bukalapak’s Series F round.
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Image Credit: Bukalapak
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