William Tanuwijaya, Berawal Dari Penjaga Warnet | Founder Story Tokopedia

Summary

William Tanuwijaya's journey from a humble start in Pematang Siantar to founding Tokopedia, one of Indonesia's largest online marketplaces, is a testament to perseverance and vision. Despite facing financial challenges, working part-time jobs, and struggling to find investors, William remained determined to build a platform that would transform e-commerce in Indonesia. His breakthrough came after persistent efforts, a key meeting with a Japanese investor, and relentless self-improvement. Through these trials, William turned his dream into reality, showcasing how resilience and a clear vision can lead to success in the face of adversity.

Takeaways

• 😀 William Tanuwijaya, the CEO and co-founder of Tokopedia, started his journey as an internet café guard, which gave him unlimited access to the internet and sparked his passion for it.
• 😀 Despite facing economic struggles in his family, William’s parents believed that education was the key to a better future, so they sent him to Jakarta to pursue higher education.
• 😀 William worked part-time as a net café guard to support himself after his father fell ill during his university years, showcasing his resilience and determination.
• 😀 His exposure to the internet during his net café job made William realize its potential to change the world by providing easy access to vast information.
• 😀 After graduating in 2003, William aspired to work at top global tech companies like Google, but since Google didn’t have an office in Indonesia at the time, he began working as a software engineer.
• 😀 William recognized the growing trend of online selling but realized that there was no secure platform to cater to this demand, which led him to the idea of starting a marketplace.
• 😀 In 2007, William and his co-founder Leontinus Alpha Edison embarked on their startup journey, recognizing that building a marketplace would require substantial capital.
• 😀 William faced significant challenges in raising capital due to his lack of connections with investors, but he persisted by pitching his idea to various people, including his boss.
• 😀 Despite skepticism from investors who questioned the viability of an online marketplace in Indonesia, William remained undeterred and used their doubts as motivation to continue seeking support.
• 😀 In 2010, William's persistence paid off when he met a Japanese investor who, despite limited English skills, understood his vision, leading to Tokopedia's breakthrough and attracting significant funding.

Q & A

What was William Tanuwijaya's first job and how did it shape his future?

William's first job was as a net cafe guard while he was in college. This role gave him unlimited internet access, which sparked his fascination with the internet and its potential to change the world.

What challenges did William face during his college years?

William's father fell ill, forcing him to support himself financially. He had to work part-time jobs while studying, which included working night shifts at a net cafe.

How did William's family background influence his educational journey?

William's family faced economic difficulties, but his parents valued education and believed it was the key to a better life. They sent him to Jakarta to continue his studies despite their financial struggles.

What was William's initial career aspiration after graduating in 2003?

William aspired to work at a major tech company like Google, but since Google didn't have a presence in Indonesia, he began working as a software engineer instead.

How did William identify the opportunity for an online marketplace?

William realized that while people were beginning to shop online, there was no platform in Indonesia that could safely meet these needs. This insight led him to pursue the idea of building a marketplace.

What difficulties did William face in securing funding for Tokopedia?

William faced challenges in obtaining funding due to a lack of successful marketplace examples in Indonesia. He struggled to convince investors for two years and even encountered skepticism and criticism from potential investors.

What was the turning point for William in securing investment for Tokopedia?

The turning point came when William met an investor from Japan, who, despite limited English, understood his vision. This meeting marked the beginning of Tokopedia's success in attracting significant investment.

How did William improve his chances with international investors?

William began to seriously learn English to better communicate with international investors, which helped him attract more investors and secure hundreds of millions of dollars in funding.

How did Tokopedia evolve after receiving the necessary funding?

With the funding secured, Tokopedia grew into one of the largest marketplace players in Indonesia, making William's vision a reality and helping to shape the Indonesian e-commerce landscape.

What message does William's story convey to aspiring entrepreneurs?

William's journey demonstrates the importance of perseverance, learning from challenges, and staying focused on one's vision, regardless of setbacks or doubts from others.