Embracing grassroots economy, promoting inclusive growth.

About Asia Grassroots Forum 2025

The 2025 Asia Grassroots Forum, hosted by Amartha, serves as a pivotal gathering for entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and innovators across the ASEAN region to tackle the most urgent challenges in emerging markets. From the barriers women-led MSMEs face in accessing formal funding to the complexities of advancing financial digitalization, the forum delves into critical issues that shape the region’s grassroots economy.

At the heart of this transformative forum is a vibrant exchange of ideas and expertise. Leaders from diverse sectors will address topics such as fostering inclusive growth, driving grassroots innovation, and ensuring that intelligent technology amplifies opportunities underserved communities. As the impact of technology hinges on existing human capacities, unleashing human potential remains critical in driving progress within region’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Through collaboration, dialogue, and a focus on emerging changemakers, the forum aims to unlock the potential of technological innovations in addressing the region’s most pressing issues: bridging financial access gaps, enhancing resilience to climate challenges, and promoting shared economic prosperity. With a thoughtfully curated agenda, the Forum is designed to inspire bold ideas, foster impactful partnerships, and drive meaningful, scalable change for the ASEAN community and beyond.

AAGF - Microsite - About Amartha - 1500x1000

About Amartha

Amartha is a technology company that drives inclusive growth by empowering grassroots and enabling everyone through one financial ecosystem, AmarthaFin. 

Established in 2010, Amartha advances the bottom pyramid economy by increasing the competitiveness of micro and small entrepreneurs and also digitalizes daily financial activities in grassroots. In doing so, we build more inclusive economic growth.

Our Agendas

Navigating strategies and identifying opportunities to drive sustainable growth across South East Asia and the Global South.

To reform or to deform: reshaping entrepreneurial policy and partnership to promote inclusive growth.

Unlocking the potential of capital to empower the grassroots economy across South East Asia.

Balancing the transformative power of AI and technology to ensure they drive social inclusion, equity, and opportunities for all.

Reason to Participate

Join discussions that influence policies and strategies driving equitable growth in the region.
Network with cross-sector leaders and explore potential partnerships that can drive collective impact.
Discover promising ventures and initiatives that empower underserved communities.
Be part of actionable solutions aligned with global sustainability and inclusivity targets.
Lead the way in bridging technological gaps to create a more inclusive digital economy.

Highlights of the Asia Grassroots Forum 2024 event

The 2024 Asia Grassroots Forum brought together over 500 participants from more than 15 countries, fostering meaningful collaborations with global leaders like Women’s World Banking, Accion, and IFC SME Finance Forum. Through 6 high-impact panel discussions and 3 roundtables, the forum advanced critical dialogues on sustainable development and inclusive growth, while showcasing grassroots innovations through interactive exhibitions and site visits that demonstrated real impact on the ground.

Driving Inclusive Growth in ASEAN Grassroots Economy

The discussion highlighted the evolving landscape of grassroots entrepreneurship in ASEAN, explored ways to support inclusive innovation among SMEs and grassroots entrepreneurs, addressed challenges like the digital divide, and drew lessons from initiatives like Amartha to drive regional inclusive growth. 

Andi Taufan Garuda Putra
Founder & CEO of Amartha
Putri Tanjung
CEO of Trans Digital Lifestyle Group
Michael Schlein
President and CEO of Accion

Driving Inclusive Growth in ASEAN Grassroots Economy

The discussion mapped out next-generation innovation in ASEAN, focusing on new technologies and business models. It highlighted robust institutional frameworks, domestic industry support, and international collaboration. Strategies for fostering local innovation culture and ensuring ethical technology use were explored to propel ASEAN towards socioeconomic progress and global innovation leadership.

 

Aria Widyanto
Chief Risk & Sustainability Officer of Amartha
Christina Juhasz
Chief Investment Officer of Women’s World Banking Asset Management (WAM)
Ridha Wirakusumah
CEO of Indonesia Investment Authority (INA)

Crafting an Attractive Investment Environment for Thriving MSMEs

Bringing together prominent global investors, experts, and industry leaders, the discussion delved into strategies for bolstering small businesses. It explored avenues for growth and resilience, focusing on facilitating access to capital, leveraging technology, and fostering a supportive regulatory environment to achieve sustainable economic development and inclusive growth across the region.

Enabling Small Businesses to Power a Prosperous, Resilient Economy

Bringing together prominent global investors, experts, and industry leaders, the discussion delved into strategies for bolstering small businesses. It explored avenues for growth and resilience, focusing on facilitating access to capital, leveraging technology, and fostering a supportive regulatory environment to achieve sustainable economic development and inclusive growth across the region.

Creating Value by Scaling Impact

The session explored the importance of impact investing in Asia, addressing social and environmental challenges while ensuring financial returns. It showcased case studies to inspire collaboration and accelerate sustainable development. How can investors measure impact and ensure financial sustainability? What policy interventions are needed to incentivize impactful ventures and achieve the SDGs in Asia?

Ramdhan Anggakaradibrata
Chief Financial Officer of Amartha
Lin Net-Koh
Director of Centre Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP), Temasek Trust
Daniel Thomas Norman
Director of KKR
Djamal Attamimi
Managing Partner of Lynx Asia

Creating Value by Scaling Impact

The session explored the importance of impact investing in Asia, addressing social and environmental challenges while ensuring financial returns. It showcased case studies to inspire collaboration and accelerate sustainable development.
How can investors measure impact and ensure financial sustainability? What policy interventions are needed to incentivize impactful ventures and achieve the SDGs in Asia?

The High Value of Base of the Pyramid Markets

The discussion emphasized sustainable economic growth strategies, ensuring investments benefit poverty alleviation and job creation in underserved communities. Panelists explored innovative financing like impact investing and social entrepreneurship for the Base of the Pyramid sector, tackling its unique challenges.
Julie Fauzie
Chief Funding Officer of Amartha
Dirk Van Quaquebeke
Managing Partner of Beenext
Bernhard Eikenberg
Head of Emerging Markets Strategy of Community Investment Management
Brooke Patterson
Indonesia Country Lead, Inclusive Financial Systems of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

How Access to Financial Services Can Transform Women’s Lives

The session highlighted the importance of financial inclusion in empowering women, discussed overcoming barriers to financial services, and proposed initiatives to foster women’s entrepreneurship. It also addressed necessary policy interventions to promote women’s participation in decision-making, entrepreneurship, and leadership, driving long-term economic progress.
Aria Widyanto
Chief Risk & Sustainability Officer of Amartha
Marina Dimova
lobal Director, Financial Industry & Network Advocacy of Women’s World Banking (WWB)
Dewa Ayu Laksmiadi Janapriati
Director for Gender Mainstreaming in Economics, Ministry of Women & Child Protection, Republic of Indonesia
Dr. Sarah Cardey
Programme Director for Communication for Development and Applied International Development at the University of Reading

Entrepreneurship Drives Economic Transformation in Emerging Markets

The session highlighted the impact of grassroots entrepreneurship, using insights from Amartha. It explored how entrepreneurship drives inclusive development, fosters innovation, preserves cultural heritage, alleviates poverty, and discussed strategies for scaling and sustaining grassroots businesses.

Rudiantara
Former Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Republic of Indonesia
M. Bijaksana Junerosano
Founder & CEO of Waste4Change
Azalea Ayuningtyas
Co-Founder of DuAnyam & Krealogi
Gibran Huzaifah
Founder & CEO of eFishery

How Access to Financial Services Can Transform Women’s Lives

The session highlighted the importance of financial inclusion in empowering women, discussed overcoming barriers to financial services, and proposed initiatives to foster women’s entrepreneurship. It also addressed necessary policy interventions to promote women’s participation in decision-making, entrepreneurship, and leadership, driving long-term economic progress.

Aria Widyanto
Chief Risk & Sustainability Officer of Amartha
Marina Dimova
lobal Director, Financial Industry & Network Advocacy of Women’s World Banking (WWB)
Dewa Ayu Laksmiadi Janapriati
Director for Gender Mainstreaming in Economics, Ministry of Women & Child Protection, Republic of Indonesia
Dr. Sarah Cardey
Programme Director for Communication for Development and Applied International Development at the University of Reading
Aria Widyanto
Chief Risk & Sustainability Officer of Amartha
Marina Dimova
lobal Director, Financial Industry & Network Advocacy of Women’s World Banking (WWB)
Dewa Ayu Laksmiadi Janapriati
Director for Gender Mainstreaming in Economics, Ministry of Women & Child Protection, Republic of Indonesia
Dr. Sarah Cardey
Programme Director for Communication for Development and Applied International Development at the University of Reading
Aria Widyanto
Chief Risk & Sustainability Officer of Amartha
Marina Dimova
lobal Director, Financial Industry & Network Advocacy of Women’s World Banking (WWB)
Dewa Ayu Laksmiadi Janapriati
Director for Gender Mainstreaming in Economics, Ministry of Women & Child Protection, Republic of Indonesia
Dr. Sarah Cardey
Programme Director for Communication for Development and Applied International Development at the University of Reading
 

Entrepreneurship Drives Economic Transformation in Emerging Markets

The session highlighted the impact of grassroots entrepreneurship, using insights from Amartha. It explored how entrepreneurship drives inclusive development, fosters innovation, preserves cultural heritage, alleviates poverty, and discussed strategies for scaling and sustaining grassroots businesses.

Rudiantara
Former Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Republic of Indonesia
M. Bijaksana Junerosano
Founder & CEO of Waste4Change
Azalea Ayuningtyas
Co-Founder of DuAnyam & Krealogi
Gibran Huzaifah
Founder & CEO of eFishery
Rudiantara
Former Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Republic of Indonesia
M. Bijaksana Junerosano
Founder & CEO of Waste4Change
Azalea Ayuningtyas
Co-Founder of DuAnyam & Krealogi
Gibran Huzaifah
Founder & CEO of eFishery
Rudiantara
Former Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Republic of Indonesia
M. Bijaksana Junerosano
Founder & CEO of Waste4Change
Azalea Ayuningtyas
Co-Founder of DuAnyam & Krealogi
Gibran Huzaifah
Founder & CEO of eFishery
 

The High Value of Base of the Pyramid Markets

The discussion emphasized sustainable economic growth strategies, ensuring investments benefit poverty alleviation and job creation in underserved communities. Panelists explored innovative financing like impact investing and social entrepreneurship for the Base of the Pyramid sector, tackling its unique challenges.

Julie Fauzie
Chief Funding Officer of Amartha
Dirk Van Quaquebeke
Managing Partner of Beenext
Bernhard Eikenberg
Head of Emerging Markets Strategy of Community Investment Management
Brooke Patterson
Indonesia Country Lead, Inclusive Financial Systems of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Julie Fauzie
Chief Funding Officer of Amartha
Dirk Van Quaquebeke
Managing Partner of Beenext
Bernhard Eikenberg
Head of Emerging Markets Strategy of Community Investment Management
Brooke Patterson
Indonesia Country Lead, Inclusive Financial Systems of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Julie Fauzie
Chief Funding Officer of Amartha
Dirk Van Quaquebeke
Managing Partner of Beenext
Bernhard Eikenberg
Head of Emerging Markets Strategy of Community Investment Management
Brooke Patterson
Indonesia Country Lead, Inclusive Financial Systems of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
 

Round Table 1

How Can Southeast Asia Harness Digital Technology and Seize Its MSME Opportunities?The discussion mapped out next-generation innovation in ASEAN, focusing on new technologies and business models. It highlighted robust institutional frameworks, domestic industry support, and international collaboration. Strategies for fostering local innovation culture and ensuring ethical technology use were explored to propel ASEAN towards socioeconomic progress and global innovation leadership.

Round Table 2

ASEAN is on the Cusp of Fulfilling Its Long-Held Promise?

 ASEAN’s economic growth, especially with initiatives like RCEP, boosts its global influence. But, sustaining growth amid uncertainties is challenging. As ASEAN evolves, balancing mediation and managing regional tensions offers both leadership opportunities and diplomatic challenges.

Round Table 3

How Digitization is Making ASEAN an Engine of Growth?

The discussion explored leveraging digital technologies for inclusive economic development in ASEAN, addressing challenges like the digital divide and cybersecurity threats. Collaborative initiatives and policy frameworks are crucial for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship while ensuring equitable access and protection, particularly in underserved communities and rural areas.

Venue

Copy of Royal Glasshouse

Royal Glass House

Copy of Royal Glasshouse

Nestled within the soaring heights of Park Hyatt Jakarta, the Royal Glass House exudes elegance and grandeur, offering an unparalleled setting for a remarkable forum.

For an experience beyond compare, ascend to The Observatory on the 36th floor, the crowning glory of the Royal Glass House. Here, surrounded by sweeping panoramic vistas that encompass the iconic Monumen Nasional (Monas) or National Monument and the sprawling Jakarta skyline, you’re invited to immerse yourself in moments of sheer inspiration.

Info Center

The 2024 Forum organized to harness the transformative power of grassroots empowerment initiatives. Recognizing the pivotal role of inclusive efforts in addressing microfinance access for women-led MSMEs. The event serves as a global platform for collaboration and shared learnings. The discussion agendas include inclusive growth, digitizing MSMEs, and scaling impact. It brings together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and innovators to collectively pave the way for a more empowered and resilient global community. By amplifying diverse voices, fostering cross-cultural exchanges, and inspiring innovative solutions, the forum aims to unleash opportunities in the Southeast Asian grassroots economy through entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation.

The 2024 Asia Grassroots Forum, Hosted by Amartha will be convened in person (offline), May 21-22, 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Attendance is exclusive to invitation only for investors, entrepreneurs, policy makers, strategic partners’ guests, and media. Additionally, we will also be live streaming the event on Amartha’s YouTube channel on the day of the forum for those who cannot attend in person.

Yes. Attendees will be invited to download The 2024 Asia Grassroots Forum, Hosted by Amartha networking application to enhance their attendance and engage with their peers, check the agenda, floor plan, and learn more about The 2024 Asia Grassroots Forum, Hosted by Amartha. Only invitees who have been RSVP who will receive the download link and login passcode via email.

Yes, the sessions will be live-streamed for those who are unable to attend in person.  You will be able to join the live-stream link prior to the conference. Live-streaming will be held on Amartha’s Official Youtube account, and you may access here.

You can download your peers’s contacts via  networking application to stay connected with your network or you can contact theforum@amartha.com

To make a name change, navigate to contact theforum@amartha.com. You have to share details of the new delegate, including their full name, company name and address, job title, phone number, and email and we will be able to assist you with the replacement. Name changes will no longer be possible from May 17, 2024. You can either get in touch with us or we can assist you directly at the register desk if the pass has not already been generated.

Should you need further assistance to handle your VISA request, kindly contact theforum@amartha.com. We will be able to assist you with the VISA application.

Yes, we do. If you already registered, you can download the city guide book that has been sent to your email. It encompasses essential information on transportation options, recommended hotels, curated selection of restaurants offering diverse cuisines, local gift shops, and city attractions. Allowing visitors to plan their itineraries efficiently. From historical landmarks to vibrant cultural hotspots, our guidebook offers valuable insights to enhance the visitor experience in Jakarta.

 

We ensure inclusivity and accessibility at our conference as this lies in our values. One of the accommodations we offer is the provision of a Bahasa Isyarat Indonesia (Bisindo) sign language interpreter, facilitating comprehensive participation for special needs individuals.

Yes, we do provide translation services at the event. Specifically, we offer a translator device that converts Bahasa Indonesia to English. Participants can obtain this device when they verify their attendance at the registration area. This service ensures that all our guests, regardless of language preference, can fully understand and engage in the event discussions.

The following day after the conference, there will be an organized field trip to observe and engage with MSMEs activities in the rural areas through an organized trip, with pre-booked reservations only. The 2,5-hours long trip from the Conference Venue to the selected villages for a maximum of 20 participants, facilitated by three minivans. The activities include observation, interactive workshops and engagement with Amartha’s customers, field officers and agents. The field trip starts/finishes at the Conference Venue.

Please be advised that the field trip is limited to only 20 participants. You can apply for registration for the field visit while you are RSVP for the conference here. If you are eligible to visit the village, you will receive a confirmation email from theforum@amartha.com and will receive a dedicated email from our team.

Thought Partners

Get In Touch With Us

We are delighted to walk this event journey with you! If there’s anything you’d like to know concerning the event, please do not hesitate to reach out. We’re more than happy to address your queries or hear your valuable insights.
Jasa Pembuatan Aplikasi

Where

Park Hyatt Jakarta & Royal Glass House

Kebon Sirih Street, Number 17-19

Central Jakarta, 10270

When

Tuesday to Wednesday
May 21 to 22, 2024

Email

theforum@amartha.com