Next Move

Arini Subianto is expanding Persada Capital Investama’s investment portfolio to digital and technology.

- Ulisari Eslita

Several studies have shown that adopting the fourth industrial revolution technologies will help countries and businesses achieve sustainable growth. This can also create higher top and bottom-line value through faster design, novel products, risk reduction, waste elimination and so on. Those are the reasons why Arini Subianto, President Director of PT Persada Capital Investama, has been investing in technology-based companies and startups since 2017.

Arini, 48, is the daughter of the late Benny Subianto who passed away in January 2017. As Benny’s eldest child, Arini has taken over the reins of her father’s multimillion-dollar company, making her the 44th richest person in Indonesia with a total net worth of $665 million on Forbes Richlist 2018. She says she began taking over the control of Persada Capital about a year before her father died, when his health deteriorated. Forbes Asia reports that Arini’s youngest sister, Ardiani, 40, who was previously a stay-at-home mom, now works with her at Persada, while sister Armeilia, 44, runs her own graphic design business.

Persada Capital is known for its investment in established bricks-and-mortar companies such as coal miner Adaro Energy, plantation company Triputra Agro Persada, and property company Surya Semesta Internusa. Arini recalls that her father was not keen on investing in startups despite receiving many offers back then, her father believed that investing in the real sector was more feasible and less risky than investing in tech startups. But Arini certainly has a different mindset. Under Arini’s leadership, investment in technology companies and startups is likely to become a major part of Persada Capital’s investment strategy. Arini also hopes the companies can later synergize and help accelerate the business.