Jakarta, October 21st – For years, Skystar Capital has backed founders at the earliest stages of building. Now, the firm is starting to explore growth stage companies as well. In the latest episode of Inside Skystar Capital, Investment Associate Vivian Patricia shares why the timing feels right, what she looks for in founders, and what she has learned about building businesses in one of the region’s most challenging markets.

 


From Early Ideas to Proven Innovation
Skystar Capital has spent years supporting early stage founders and watching their ideas reach the market. According to Vivian, that track record is exactly what makes this next step natural.

“We have been a long time backer of early stage companies, and we have seen a lot of innovations pushed into the market. That is why we think right now is the right time to also support proven innovation and help it expand across the market,” she said.

The shift also changes the questions investors ask. “When we look at early stage companies, we are always asking whether the idea is something that will sell. But with more mature, growth stage companies, the question becomes: how do we take this business to the next level?”

 


Building in a Tough Market
Vivian is candid about the current climate. “Everyone is feeling the pressure right now, especially in Indonesia,” she said. “But I believe pressure makes us more prudent, more grounded, and more reasonable. It also pushes us to our limits.”

She expects Indonesia to remain challenging for at least the next one to two years, which makes resilience a quality worth having on its own. “Being resilient is already a good thing. Bonus points if your business is actually riding tailwinds. But that is the fun part about being a businessman.”

For Vivian, resilient businesses share a simple trait: they solve real problems that people are willing to pay for. Growth and sustainability are not a trade off either. “It has to be both,” she said.

 


What Makes a Great Founder
When asked what defines a good founder, Vivian’s answer was clear. “A good founder is fundamentally a businessman at heart. These are founders who want to build businesses that last, and who see their team as people they need to guide and lead toward a common vision.”

She also believes the best businesses carry a deeper purpose. “The business must align with what you want to leave behind in this world. The business becomes your legacy.”

 


More Than the Numbers
Venture capitalists are often seen as investors who only care about revenue. Vivian sees it differently. “When VCs focus on numbers, what we are really focusing on is being efficient with capital, so that capital can multiply. And that requires more than just the founder alone.”

That is where Skystar Capital’s role goes beyond funding. “Beyond the capital we offer, we help our founders grow into capable leaders by leveraging our network and expertise through strategic collaborations.”

 


Lessons From the Field
Before Skystar Capital, Vivian worked at EY and a Hong Kong based growth fund investing across Southeast Asia. Her biggest lesson since: building a business is hard.

“Sometimes we think of a good idea or a good strategy, but when you implement it in real life, things do not go as planned. You actually have to be street smart about it.”

Her message to founders is simple: “Keep working towards your ambition and your vision. And don’t stop.”

Watch the full conversation with Vivian Patricia on Skystar Capital’s LinkedIn and Instagram.

Building a business that is ready for its next stage of growth? We would love to hear from you. 

 

 

About Skystar Capital
Skystar Capital is a venture capital firm dedicated to empowering founders to become pioneers of innovation and change. Skystar Capital partners with founders across Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Diverging from traditional venture capital firms, Skystar Capital offers more than just financial investment; it provides industry expertise, access to strategic networks, and various institutional tools to propel founders toward their highest aspirations. To date, Skystar Capital manages a portfolio of more than 60 investments spanning across sectors including fintech, edutech, healthtech, proptech, logistics, web3, and more. For more comprehensive information, journalists can access the official website at https://skystar.vc/.

For further information, please contact:

Christopher Josua
Head of Communications and Partnerships, Skystar Capital
Tel: +62817-613-011