ASIA – Coca-Cola Amatil has announced that it will launch its corporate venture capital arm Amatil X in Indonesia as it looks to accelerate innovation and investment in local startups.
Launched last year, the venture arm aims to provide digital startups with a platform to grow while providing innovative solutions for the development of the local economy.
Coca-Cola Amatil has formed a pilot partnership with Digitaraya, an established local accelerator programme, something that will see it capitalize on Jakarta’s fast-growing reputation as the next start-up capital in the region.
The partners have pledged to work with startups with a focus on four business priority areas including on-demand delivery, distribution optimisation, in-store analytics, and sustainable packaging.
“There is rapid growth in start-up and venture capital funding in Jakarta, and we aim to be part of that trend,” said Alison Watkins, Coca-Cola Amatil managing director.
“We are seeing growth in the food and beverage sector where consumer trends and technology are merging. For example, restaurant tech is personalising the experience for consumers and driving profitability for customers.”
“We aim to harness that growth to deliver technology solutions for customers and consumers, including in on-demand delivery and in-store analytics. This will benefit Amatil in Indonesia, Australia and across the region.”
CCA launched the Amatil X in April last year in partnership with BlueChilli in Australia and New Zealand, targeting to invest in start-ups and concepts capable of helping the company grow top-line revenues.
Under the venture, the company has invested in two startups, having started with an investment into Australian point-of-sale integration provider Doshii.
It completed the second transaction from its incubator unit by buying a minority shareholding in restaurant tech start-up TabSquare in October last year.
Also, CCA has announced the launch of its internal entrepreneurial programme, Amatil X Academy, in Indonesia in partnership with BlueChilli.
“At BlueChilli, our mission is to help people anywhere solve society’s greatest challenges with technology,” said Sebastien Eckersley-Maslin, BlueChilli CEO.
“As part of this, we are committed to helping world-class organisations like Coca-Cola Amatil embrace the lean start-up methodology, so they can better adapt to disruptive shifts, innovate rapidly and transform their business for the future.”
