Abraham Hidayat (center) representing Skystar Capital as a speaker at the Global Human Capital Summit 2025, together with Patrick Yip from Intudo (left) and Alyandra Katya Mangkuningrat from Antler (right).
When I look at the room of young Indonesians today, many of whom have studied or worked abroad, I see one of our country’s most powerful assets: the diaspora. This is Indonesia’s secret weapon for the next wave of growth.
The Value of Overseas Experience
Having lived and worked abroad is not just a privilege, it’s a real advantage. As I said in my recent remarks, “having experience and seeing how things are done overseas is super important. Just in terms of benchmarking, learning best practices, and having contacts and networks, those can be big value-add to any company or startup in Indonesia.”
What you bring back is not only skills but a mindset. Instead of benchmarking against local competitors, you’re comparing yourself to the best in the world. That shift is what pushes Indonesian startups to raise the bar.
Why the Timing Matters
Indonesia’s ecosystem is undergoing a reset. For years, startups chased topline numbers and growth at all costs. But that playbook is gone. Profitability and sustainability are now the new expectations.
Many founders who thrived under the old model are struggling to pivot. As I put it, “we went through a phase of euphoria where companies were valued on a completely different set of metrics. Now it’s hard for some founders to change that mindset into a sustainable business model.”
This is where returning diaspora talent has an edge. “If you’re someone overseas looking to come back, you would already be calibrated in that thinking. You don’t have to unlearn bad habits, you’ll start at ground zero, already aligned with profitability and sustainability.”
Global Competition Is Already Here
The world is no longer divided neatly by borders. With the US-China decoupling, globalization of talent, and foreign companies entering Indonesia, competition is no longer just local.
“We are not just Indonesians competing with other Indonesians anymore. We are competing with people from other countries coming into Indonesia. It’s super important for us to know our competitors, how they operate, and be equally as good as them.”
The perception that Indonesians cannot compete globally must change. As I told the younger generation: “Work hard, work smart, and take the challenge head on. Let’s change the perception that we cannot compete with foreign players.”
A Call to the Diaspora
My advice is clear: don’t rush back. “If you’re overseas, don’t come back too soon. Get as much experience as possible. Dig deeper into your area of expertise. Spend as long as it takes to become an expert. Then bring that expertise home. The country needs you.”
This is not just about filling talent gaps. It’s about being multipliers for the ecosystem. When you return, you’ll arrive at the perfect time: capital is still being invested, startups are resetting with stronger fundamentals, and the next boom cycle is waiting. “It’s our firm belief that startups started in these times will have the right fundamentals and will ride the wave of the next boom cycle. The time is now.”
The Future Will Be Built by Diaspora-Led Founders
The next wave of great companies will not just be those who understand Indonesia deeply. They will be the ones who marry local insights with a truly global perspective.
Indonesia’s most valuable import is not capital, it’s experience. And that experience is walking back through our doors in the form of our diaspora.
The story of Indonesia’s rise will be written by those who dare to bridge worlds. And at the center of that story, will be you.
