The Indonesian government has laid a solid foundation for digital transformation in the 2020–2024 National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN), including efforts to create new unicorns. In addition, the 2020–2024 Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Strategic Plan focuses on developing digital talent and startups (startup companies). Startups play a key role in transforming the traditional economy into a knowledge-based economy.

Startup is a new form of venture that offers innovative and scalable technology-based products and services, or offers existing products and services in an innovative way. Startups have grown enormously in a short period. In particular, startups working in agritech, cleantech, edtech, and healthtech have significant social, development, and sustainability aspects. However, tech startups need financial support to thrive even though their necessities may differ from traditional manufacturing companies, which emphasize more on skills over financial assets.

Indonesia is home to many startups; thus, startups in the country need government support, such as equitable digital infrastructure development and regulations that enable startups to thrive. All policymakers must understand that a conducive ecosystem is key. They also need to recognize issues relevant to the ecosystem, especially on the availability of digital talent, in supporting the tech startup ecosystem in Indonesia. The SMERU Research Institute will hold a forum to discuss creating new unicorns by increasing digital talents and constructing a conducive startup ecosystem at the city/local level through the Forum Kajian Pembangunan (FKP) seminar.