Kelvin Subowo: Scaling Indonesia's F&B with Strategic Acquisitions
Regional News | May 22, 2025 | Vertex Venture Management Pte
In an in-depth discussion, Kelvin Subowo, founder and CEO of Indonesia's DailyCo, reveals how strategic acquisitions and founder involvement are key to expanding in the competitive food and beverage industry. Featured by Vertex Ventures, the podcast episode delves into Subowo's journey from a single rice box brand to a thriving multi-brand enterprise. Emphasizing sustainable growth over market trends, Subowo shares insights on scaling through acquisitions, maintaining consistency, and prioritizing both offline and online business models. The episode also explores the innovative 'share of belly' strategy, highlighting the importance of regional food offerings in Indonesia's diverse market. As DailyCo dishes out 100,000 meals a day, Subowo underscores the importance of founder authenticity in building lasting restaurant brands. The discussion includes insights from Vertex Ventures' Rahul Thayyalamkandy on their focus in Southeast Asia and India, and the role of strategic knowledge-sharing in fostering successful tech and F&B ventures.
Sectors
- Food & Beverage
- Private Equity
- Venture Capital
Geography
- Indonesia – As the primary location of DailyCo's operations, Indonesia is central to the article's focus on expanding the F&B industry.
- Southeast Asia – Vertex Ventures covers this region, where both DailyCo and the investors focus on growth and expansion.
- India – Featured as part of Vertex Ventures' scope, highlighting their geographic focus for venture capital investments.
Industry
- Food & Beverage – The article discusses strategies for scaling businesses within the food and beverage sector, centered around DailyCo's operations in Indonesia.
- Private Equity – The involvement of Vertex Ventures highlights the role of private equity in driving growth and scaling businesses in Southeast Asia's dynamic markets.
- Venture Capital – Vertex Ventures' engagement signifies investment and expertise in the tech startup ecosystem across Southeast Asia, aligning with their podcast series theme.
Financials
- 100,000 meals per day – Illustrates the scale at which DailyCo operates, indicating their market penetration and capacity.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| DailyCo | Target Company | Company | Indonesia's fastest-growing multi-brand F&B operator, delivering meals across various segments. |
| Vertex Ventures | Investor | Company | Pioneers in venture capital, investing in tech startups across Southeast Asia and India. |
| Kelvin Subowo | CEO & Co-Founder | Person | Leads DailyCo, emphasizing a strategic acquisition model aimed at long-term growth. |
| Rahul Thayyalamkandy | Director of Communication & Community | Person | Represents Vertex Ventures, facilitating communications and strategic insights in the region. |