Nicko Widjaja is the Founding CEO of BRI Ventures, a venture arm of Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), the country’s largest bank focusing on micro and small medium businesses. An early tech investment pioneer, he has a career that spans over 10 years in venture capital, corporate transformation, and the startup ecosystem. He was formerly the Founding CEO of MDI Ventures, a Telkom Indonesia backed VC, with investments in over 10 countries. Under his leadership, MDI Ventures became one of the most profitable venture capital firms in the region with three unicorns, two international IPOs on the ASX and TSE, as well as seven trade exits in just five years since its inception.

Prior to MDI Ventures, he launched one of the first Indonesia venture funds in 2010 called Systec Ventures. He joined Telkom Indonesia’s Indigo Creative Nation as Managing Director before he co-wrote the investment thesis for MDI Ventures in 2014. He also works closely with various state-owned companies, advising on digital transformation initiatives across different sectors and industries.

Currently, he holds two positions as the Chair of Permanent Committee of Investment and Partnership in the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce (KADIN), and is an Honorary Board Member in the Indonesia Venture Capital Association (AMVESINDO)