Steven Wongsoredjo is the CEO of Aplikasi Super, an Indonesian social commerce app for 2nd-tier, 3rd-tier cities, and rural communities. 

In 2022, they raised a $70M Series C. 

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👋🏼 How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

Aplikasi Super is Indonesia’s first and leading social commerce platform and a Y Combinator Top Company. We are connecting sellers, which are local FMCG principals, with our Super Agents to distribute it to the end consumers.

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🧐 What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

GDP per capita of the areas we cover could be lower 2x+ than our capital city but the cost of the goods is more expensive by 20%-200%.

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🏆 What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

We started as an underdog, so convincing investors to invest in rural areas was very difficult. Although it was very difficult in the past few years; we have raised $106M. 

It means a lot to open the doors for more founders to build excellent ventures in rural areas and more global investors to chip into companies that want to help Indonesian village communities.

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🔍 What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?‍

More Indonesian startups to start looking into Indonesia’s rural areas.

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💼 What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry? 

Before building a startup in Indonesia it's best to visit five cities each in the western part of Indonesia and eastern part of Indonesia. This will help the founder have a clear picture of the whole of Indonesia before pursuing to build a venture.

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🗣 What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours? 

Indonesia’s rural areas.

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🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show? 

Dr House.

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🍨 What's your go-to ice cream flavor?‍

Cookies and cream.

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FYI. We've edited this interview for clarity.