One step at a time, 
for a better Indonesia

Founded on 8 June 2014 by brothers Winston Utomo and William Utomo, IDN has grown into the leading media and entertainment technology company in Indonesia, positively impacting more than 70 million young Indonesians every month.

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But long before there was a company, there was simply a question.

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“Indonesia has one of the youngest populations in the world. Why wasn’t there a media and entertainment platform built specifically for the young generation? How could Indonesia become a global powerhouse if access to media and entertainment remained unequal? Why was opportunity still concentrated in Jakarta? And how could technology help bridge the information gap?”

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The more Winston reflected on these questions, the more convinced he became that someone had to build the answer.

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One afternoon, Winston went home, took out a piece of paper, and began writing down his ideas. That same night, in his modest 2 × 3 meter apartment, he built the first version of what would become IDN Times.

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On Sunday, 8 June 2014, at 11:00 a.m., IDN was born.

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Later that evening, Winston called his younger brother, William, who was studying in Los Angeles. After hearing the idea, William immediately believed in its potential, not simply as a business, but as a platform that could create meaningful impact for millions of Indonesians. He decided to return to Indonesia, and together they began building the foundation of what would become IDN.

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From the very beginning, our vision has been reflected in our name. IDN = Indonesia. We believe that no great nation is built without its young generation. That belief has guided us from the beginning and continues to shape every decision we make.

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As Indonesia’s young generation evolved, so did IDN. As our audience grew, so did our responsibility. We realized that creating meaningful impact required more than publishing great content. It required building an ecosystem where young people could learn, create, connect, be entertained, and unlock their full potential.

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Today, IDN operates across four interconnected businesses: digital media, digital entertainment, live entertainment, and the creators economy. Together, they form an ecosystem designed to serve and empower Indonesia’s young generation in more meaningful ways.

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Yet, we believe we are still only at the beginning of our journey.

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Our mission is to build an ecosystem for the young generation of Indonesia. One that creates opportunities, inspires optimism, nurtures creativity, and empowers millions of young Indonesians to realize their potential. This is not only about building products or businesses. It is about contributing to a stronger Indonesia.

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We think in decades, not quarters. What we are building is not only for today, but also for tomorrow and for the next 100 years. Every product we build, every partnership we create, and every decision we make is guided by one simple question: Will this contribute to a better Indonesia for the next generation?

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As we reflect on the path we have traveled, we are reminded of the power of the young generation and the importance of our mission. What we do may have expanded, and our ecosystem may have evolved, but our mission to unlock the potential of Indonesia will always remain the same. It has always been for the young generation and it has always been for Indonesia, just like what IDN stands for: Indonesia.

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In the end, our vision is not for us. It is for all of us.

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One step at a time, for a better Indonesia.